Abstract
The hp-version of the finite element method based on a triangular p-element is applied to free vibration of the orthotropic triangular and rectangular plates. The element's hierarchical shape functions, expressed in terms of shifted Legendre orthogonal polynomials, is developed for orthotropic plate analysis by taking into account shear deformation, rotary inertia, and other kinematics effects. Numerical results of frequency calculations are found for the free vibration of the orthotropic triangular and rectangular plates with the effect of the fiber orientation and plate boundary conditions. The results are very well compared to those presented in the literature.