A global-local higher order model taking into account transverse normal deformation is presented for the analysis of laminated composite plates subjected to the actual temperature field. The in-plane temperature field is expressed as a harmonic series expansion whereas the nonlinear temperature profile across the thickness direction is determined by solving the heat conduction equation. The validity of the proposed model is verified by comparing results with existing publications. Moreover, influence of the temperature fields along the thickness direction on the thermal behaviors of laminates is also investigated. A merit of the present model is that transverse shear stresses can be evaluated directly from the constitutive equations without stress smoothing.
KEYWORDSGlobal-local higher order model, laminated composite plates, actual temperature fields, finite elements.