List of changes:
1- Page2: reference “[22]” is added to the end of this paragraph:
This method works relatively well for structures that are made out of a symmetric and balanced laminate,
experiencing pure bending or pure tension. The error induced/introduced by neglecting the effect of transverse
shear stresses becomes trivial on or close to the edges and corners of thick-sectioned configurations. The
induced error increases for thick plates made of composite layers, for which the ratio of longitudinal to
transverse shear elastic modulii is relatively large compared to isotropic materials [21]. It neglects transverse
shear strains, underpredicts deflections and overestimates natural frequencies and buckling loads [22].
2- Page 2: this statement “In fact, thick composite plates are unsurprisingly focused/sensitive to transverse shear
and normal stresses through thickness (3D stress) due to the discontinuous nature of the stack and throughthickness behaviour and its anisotropic nature. [22]” is changed to:
"Composite plates are, in fact, inherently subjected to transverse shear and normal stresses due to their
discontinuous through-thickness behaviour and their global anisotropic nature [22]."
3- In Page 3 “The shear correction factor adjusts the transverse shear stiffness and thereby, the accuracy of
results of the FSDT will be depend significantly on the shear correction factor.” The word “be” is erased.
4- Page 3: this statement “Onsy et al [3] presented a finite strip solution for laminated plates. They used the
FSDT and assumed that the displacements 𝑢 and 𝑣 vary linearly through the thickness of each layer and are
continuous at the interfaces between adjacent layers. They also assumed that the displacement 𝑤 does not vary
through the thickness. These assumptions allow for a more realistic situation where the shear strains across the
interfaces between adjacent laminae are not continuous. Two-node and three-node finite strip elements are
developed as a result of their work. [3]” is changed to:
“Onsy et al [3] presented a finite strip solution for laminated plates. They used the FSDT and assumed that the
displacements u and v vary linearly through the thickness of each layer and are continuous at the interfaces
between adjacent layers. They also assumed that the displacement w does not vary through the thickness. These
assumptions allow for a more realistic situation (compared with CLPT) where the shear strains across the
interfaces between adjacent laminae are not continuous. This model is more realistic compared with CLPT as
the displacement results allow for the warping of the composite cross-section and the shear strain field is
discontinuous at the linear interface. Two-node and three-node finite strip elements are developed as a result of
their work. [3]”
5- Page3: “have been carried out” changed to “was carried out”.
6- Page 3; “The results of some of these methods were compared with work by Aydogdu [23].” the “with work”
is erased.
7- Page 3: last paragraph “For example, a 2D higher-order theory has been developed by Matsunaga [52,53]”
changed to “For example, a 2D higher-order theory is developed by Matsunaga [52,53]”.
8- Page 5, line 56: the word "prersented" is removed.
9- Page 5: in last paragraph: “[90,91].” Is changed to “[89,91].”
10- Page 6: The part between line 4-26 is removed and the title “5.2” is changed to “5.”.
11- Page 6: “Some of this research has been carried out by Wu and Chen, [92]” is changed to “Some of this
research is carried out by Wu and Chen, [92]”.
12- Page 6, line 44: the "Soldatos" is removed.
13- page 7: “A refined shear deformation theory (RSDT) with a simplified discrete-layer model has been
presented by He [117]” is changed to “A refined shear deformation theory (RSDT) with a simplified discretelayer model is presented by He [117]”
14- Page 9: “Some recent researchers have tried to use the transverse shear…” is changed to “Some researchers
have recently tried to use the transverse shear…”