This paper deals with the problem of stress distribution in orthotropic and laminated plates subjected to central concentrated load. An equivalent single layer trigonometric shear deformation theory taking into account transverse shear deformation effect as well as transverse normal strain effect is used to obtain in-plane normal and transverse shear stresses through the thickness of plate. Governing equations and boundary conditions of the theory are obtained using the principle of virtual work. A simply supported plate with central concentrated load is considered for the numerical analysis. Anomalous behavior of inplane normal and transverse shear stresses is observed due to effect of stress concentration compared to classical plate theory and first order shear deformation theory.
