On the variational consistency of the higher-order-shear-deformation plate equations derived from the 3-D differential equations of motion

The method of moments, which is identified to be a modified Galerkin method, is used to derive the higher-order-shear-deformation plate equations from the 3-D equations of motion. It is shown that the proper application of this method yields a set of equations which are identical to those derived by employing the principle of virtual work.