%0 Journal Article %A Ghalami Choobar, Mehran %A Lighat, Gholam Hossein %A Sedighi, Mojtaba %A Ahmadi, Hamed %T Static analysis of transversely anisotropic laminates using improved zig-zag theory subjected to sinusoidal load %J Modares Mechanical Engineering %V 17 %N 4 %U http://mme.modares.ac.ir/article-15-7289-en.html %R %D 2017 %K Zig-zag theory, transversely anisotropy, transverse shear stress continuity, %X In this paper, static analysis of transversely anisotropic laminate is investigated using improved zig-zag theory. Variation of in-plane displacement is assumed to be sinusoidal while transverse displacement is assumed to remains constant through the thickness. This piece-wise continuous sinusoidal function satisfies transverse shear stresses continuity in interfaces. The Hamilton principle is utilized to derive governing equations and related boundary conditions. The Navier-type solution is presented for simply-supported boundary conditions. The theory has the same unknown variable field as Euler Bernoulli beam although it predicts stresses high accurately. The validity of solutions is confirmed by comparing present model results with that of reported in the literature. Numerical results are given to study the influences the transverse anisotropy on displacement, strain and stress fields through the thickness. The piece-wise continuous sinusoidal function offers more accurate transverse stress distribution in comparison with the piece-wise polynomial function. The present theory provide more slightly accurate stress field through the thickness compared to high order shear deformation theory, which in turn is more accurate than Euler-Bernouli theory. The results shows the continuity of normal strain through thickness predicted by Euler-Bernouli theory has not physical basis. Furthermore, the improved zig-zag theory is capable of capturing precise stress field through the thickness in transversely anisotropic laminate %> http://mme.modares.ac.ir/article-15-7289-en.pdf %P 393-398 %& 393 %! %9 %L A-15-12424-3 %+ %G eng %@ 1027-5940 %[ 2017