An Efficient Method for the Calculation of Interlaminar Stresses in Composite Materials

Abstract

A simple and efficient method is presented to determine the interlaminar stresses in a symmetric composite laminate under uniaxial loading. Expressions for the interlaminar stresses are assumed in terms of exponentials based on shapes that the interlaminar stresses must take in order to assure overall (integral) force and moment equilibrium. The boundary conditions and the traction continuity between plies are satisfied exactly. The exponential terms in the stress expressions are determined by minimizing the laminate complementary energy. Typical results are presented and compared with previous results found in the literature. The current method is shown to efficiently deal with the problem including the ability to perform the analysis of thick laminates (100 plies or more) with relative ease and cost-effectiveness.