A semianalytical discrete-layer approach is used to evaluate thickness effects in the
free vibration of laminated magneto-electro-elastic (MEE) plates under various
lateral boundary conditions. To match the primary physical phenomenon and
simplify the study, piecewise continuous approximations are used through the
thickness direction and either continuous global polynomial or trigonometric
functions are used to simulate the deflection in axial or planar displacement fields.
Thin plate models can be recovered to predict frequency estimation for various
boundary conditions and compared with continuum-based theories using more
complex approximations. Based on symmetry, the natural vibratory modes can be
grouped to optimize computation. Numerical examples are used to show the
thickness effects, with nondimensional frequencies computed for multiple plates under
six lateral boundary conditions: simply supported, clamped, and four different
combinations of free and clamped/simply supported edges. Along with the influence
of electroelastic and magnetoelastic coupling, the results of these analyses clearly
illustrate the limits of thin-plate approximations.
