Buckling analysis of laminated composite plates is carried out by using an efficient C0 FE model developed based on higher order zigzag theory. In this model the first derivatives of transverse displacement have been treated as independent variables to overcome the problem of C¹ continuity associated with the FE implementation of the plate theory. The C0 continuity of the present FE model is compensated in the stiffness matrix calculations by using penalty parameter approach. Numerical results and comparison with other existing solutions show that the present model is very efficient in predicting the buckling responses of laminated composites.

A C0 continuous finite element model is developed to model the refined higher order shear deformation theory. The proposed element is an upgraded version of an element based on higher order shear deformation theory. The C0 continuity of the present element is compensated in the stiffness matrix calculations. The computational efficiency is achieved by the C0 continuous finite element model by satisfying the inter-laminar shear stress continuity at the interfaces and zero transverse shear stress conditions at plate top and bottom. The performance of the upgraded element is illustrated with many numerical examples.