JME_V2_N1_RP8 Avadesh K. Sharma N.D. Mittal Journal on Mechanical Engineering 2249 - 0744 2 1 67 73 Free Vibration, Laminated Plate, First-order Shear Deformation Theory, Finite Element Method A finite element model, based on first-order shear deformation theory, is used in this study for the free vibration analysis of laminated composite plates. In this paper, the free vibration analysis of laminated composite plates are studied for different support conditions, aspect ratio, lamination scheme, material anisotropy, span to thickness ratios and stacking sequences. It is revealed that the first-order shear deformation theory provides reasonably dependable results for natural frequencies of laminated composite plates. The good agreement with other methods demonstrates the validity and the reliability of the proposed method. November 2011 - January 2012 Copyright © 2012 i-manager publications. All rights reserved. i-manager Publications http://www.imanagerpublications.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=1558