Edge Effects in Angle-Ply Composite Laminates*

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a zeroth-order solution for edge effects in angle-ply composite laminates obtained using perturbation tech niques and a limiting free body approach. The general solution for [±θ] laminates is applied to the special case of a [±45]s graphite/epoxy lamin ate. Interlaminar stress distributions are obtained as a function of the laminate thickness-to-width ratio h/b and compared to finite difference results. The solution predicts stable, continuous stress distributions, determines finite maximum tensile interlaminar normal stress σz, and provides mathe matical evidence for singular interlaminar shear stresses τ xz and τyz in [±45] graphite/epoxy laminates.