Composite Buckling in Ansys Apdl

Buckling Analysis of Laminated Composite Plates 2015
INTRODUCTION
1. GENERAL
The rapid development of the technology in the field of Material science by the end
of the 20th century has made the structural components quite slender owing to the
phenomenal increase in their permissible stresses. It is more so in the case of most
recently used composite materials. However, these slender structural elements are more
likely to fail due to loss of stability rather than due to the stresses being higher than the
strength of the material. This has resulted in shifting the focus from strength to
stability.
There are many types of failures in engineering structures. Some of them include creep,
fatigue, alternate stresses, bending, buckling etc. Buckling takes place in columns,
plates, shells and other structures of regular or irregular geometry. In this project only
buckling of laminated composite plates has been considered. If the loads applied to a
flat plate are low, then there is no observed distortion of the plate however as the load
is increased, the equilibrium configuration of the plate changes into no flat
configuration. Thus the plate in the case becomes unstable. The minimum load at
which the equilibrium is disturbed is called as the critical buckling load.
1.1 Buckling of structures
When a structure (subjected usually to compression) undergoes visibly large

displacements transverse to the load then it is said to buckle. Buckling may be
demonstrated by pressing the opposite edges of a flat sheet of cardboard towards one
another. For small loads the process is elastic since buckling displacements disappear
when the load is removed. Local buckling of plates or shells is indicated by the growth
of bulges, waves or ripples and is commonly encountered in the component plates of
thin structural members. Buckling proceeds either in stable or unstable or equilibrium
state.
Stable state: In this case, displacements increase in a controlled fashion as loads are
increased, i e the structure's ability to sustain loads is maintained.
Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 1

Unstable state: In this case, deformations increase instantaneously, the load carrying
capacity nose- dives and the structure collapses catastrophically.
Neutral equilibrium: It is a theoretical possibility during buckling - this is characterized

by deformation increase without change in load.
Buckling and bending are similar in that they both involve bending moments. In
bending these moments are substantially independent of the resulting deflections
whereas in buckling the moments and deflections are mutually interdependent - so
moments, deflections and stresses are not proportional to loads. If buckling deflections
become too large then the structure fails - this is a geometric consideration, completely
separated from any material strength consideration. Therefore, if a component or part
is prone to buckling then its design must satisfy both strength and buckling safety
constraints - this is why Buckling becomes important.
1.2 Types of buckling
1.2.1 Buckling of thin-walled structures
A thin-walled structure is made from a material whose thickness is much less than
other structural dimensions. Into this category fall plate assemblies, common hot- and
cold- formed structural sections, tubes and cylinders, many bridge and aeroplane
structures.
1.2.2 Plate and thin shell buckling

Local buckling of an edge-supported thin plate does not necessarily lead to total
collapse as in the case of columns, since plates can generally withstand loads greater
than critical.
1.2.3 Torsional buckling

Torsional buckling of columns can arise when a section under compression is very
weak in torsion and leads to the column rotating about the force axis.

1.2.4 Flexural torsional buckling

More commonly, where the section does not possess two axes of symmetry as in the
case of an angle section, this rotation is accompanied by bending and is known as
flexural torsional buckling.
1.2.5 Lateral buckling

Lateral buckling of beams is possible when a beam is stiff in the bending plane but
weak in the transverse plane and in torsion, as is the I-beam. It often happens that a
system is prone to buckling in various modes. These usually interact to reduce the load
capacity of the system compared to that under the buckling modes individually. An
example of mode interaction is the thin box section which develops local buckles at an
early stage of loading. The behaviour of the column is influenced by these local
buckles and gross column buckle will occur at a load much less than the ideal Euler
load.
1.3 Plate buckling

Thin plates of various shapes are generally subjected to normal compressive and
shearing loads acting in the middle plane of the plate (in-plane loads). Under certain
conditions such loads can result in a plate buckling. In many cases, a failure of thin
plate elements may be attributed to an elastic instability and not to the lack of their
strength.
The transition of the plate from the stable state of equilibrium to the unstable one is
referred to as buckling or structural instability. The smallest value of the load
producing buckling is called the critical or buckling load.
The buckling analysis of plates based on the following assumptions:
a) Prior to loading, a plate is ideally flat and all the applied external loads act
strictly in the middle plane of the plate.
b) States of stress is described by equations of the linear plane elasticity. Any
changes in the plate dimensions are neglected prior to buckling.
c) All the loads applied to the plate are dead loads; that is, they are not changed
either in magnitude or in direction when the plate deforms.
d) The plate bending is described by Kirchhoffs plate bending theory.

The linear buckling analysis of plates based on these assumptions makes it possible to
determine accurately the critical loads, which are of practical importance in the
stability analysis of thin plates. However, this analysis gives no way of describing the
behaviour of plates after buckling, which is also of considerable interest. The post
buckling analysis of plates is usually difficult because it is basically a nonlinear
problem. Classical buckling problems of plates can be formulated using
(1) The equilibrium method
(2) The energy method
(3) The dynamic method.
1.4 Composite Materials

Composite means the composition of two or more different materials (or different
phases of the same materials) with the resultant properties being better than that of the
component materials. The main part of the composite is known as the matrix. The
matrix holds the reinforcing phases.
Over the last thirty years composite materials, plastics and ceramics have been the
dominant emerging materials. While composites have already proven their worth as
weight-saving materials, the current challenge is to make them cost effective. The
efforts to produce economically attractive composite components have resulted in
several innovative manufacturing techniques currently being used in the composites
industry. The composites industry has begun to recognize that the commercial
applications of composites promise to offer much larger business opportunities than the
aerospace sector due to the sheer size of transportation industry. Thus the shift of
composite applications from aircraft to other commercial uses has become prominent
in recent years. Increasingly enabled by the introduction of newer polymer resin matrix
materials and high performance reinforcement fibers of glass, carbon and aramid, the
penetration of these advanced materials has witnessed a steady expansion in uses and
volume. The increased volume has resulted in an expected reduction in costs. Unlike
conventional materials (e.g. steel), the properties of these composite material can be
designed considering the structural aspects. The design of structural components using
composites involves both material and structural design. Composite properties (e.g.
stiffness, thermal expansion etc.) can be varied continuously over a broad range of
values under the control of the designer. Careful selection of reinforcement type

enables finished product characteristics to be tailored to almost any specific

engineering requirement.
Broadly, composite materials can be classified into three groups on the basis of matrix
material. They are:
Metal Matrix Composites (MMC)
Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC)
Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC)
a) Metal Matrix Composites

Metal Matrix Composites have many advantages over monolithic metals like higher
specific modulus, higher specific strength, better properties at elevated temperatures
and lower coefficient of thermal expansion. Because of these attributes metal matrix
composites are under consideration for wide range of applications viz. combustion
chamber nozzle (in rocket, space shuttle), housings, tubing, cables, heat exchangers,
structural members etc.
b) Ceramic matrix Composites

One of the main objectives in producing ceramic matrix composites is to increase the
toughness. Naturally it is hoped and indeed often found that there is a concomitant
improvement in strength and stiffness of ceramic matrix composites.
c) Polymer Matrix Composites

Most commonly used matrix materials are polymeric. The reason for this are two fold.
In general the mechanical properties of polymers are inadequate for many structural
purposes. In particular their strength and stiffness are low compared to metals and
ceramics. These difficulties are overcome by reinforcing other materials with polymers.
Secondly, the processing of polymer matrix composites need not involve high pressure
and doesnt require high temperature. Also equipments required for manufacturing
polymer matrix composites are simpler. For this reason polymer matrix composites
developed rapidly and soon became popular for structural applications. Composites are
used because overall properties of the composites are superior to those of the individual
components for example polymer/ceramic. Composites have a greater modulus than
the polymer component but arent as brittle as ceramics.

Composite materials are classified into:
a) Fiber reinforced Composites

Fiber Reinforced Composites are composed of fibers embedded in matrix
material. These fibers must be supported to keep individual fibers from bending
and buckling. Fibers are the reinforcement and the main source of strength
while matrix glues all the fibers together in shape and transfers stresses between
the reinforcing fibers. The fibers carry the loads along their longitudinal
directions.
b) Laminar composites
Laminar Composites are composed of layers of materials held together by
matrix. Sandwich structures fall under this category. Each layer of this
composite consists of matrix and reinforcing fibers with specific thickness to
meet desired requirements.
c) Particulate composites
Particulate Composites are composed of particles distributed or embedded in a
matrix body. They are used to increase the modules of the matrix and to
decrease the ductility of the matrix and also used to reduce the cost of the
composites. The particles may be flakes or in powder form. Concrete and wood
particle boards are examples of this category.
Figure 1.1 Types of composite materials

1.4.1 Fibre Reinforced Composites

Fibre reinforced composites have become important over the past few years and are
now the first choice for fabricating structures where low weight in combination with
high strength and stiffness are required. Because of their low specific gravities, high
strength to weight ratios and modulus to weight ratios, high corrosion resistance, these
composite materials are markedly superior to those of metallic materials. The fatigue
strength- weight ratios as well as fatigue damage tolerances of many composite
laminates are excellent.
In fibrous composites, Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP) composites are in greatest

commercial use. The important factor about FRP is that, unlike metals, the material is
made at the same time as the component. This gives an increased freedom to the design
process. These composites may have thermo-set polymers (resins) or thermo-plastic
polymers as matrix. The matrix plays a minor role in the tensile- load carrying capacity
of a composite structure but has major influence to the inter-laminar shear as well as
in-plane shears properties of the composites. Resins such as epoxies and polyesters are
widely used matrix materials. FRP composites are different from traditional
construction materials such as steel or aluminium. FRP composites are anisotropic
(properties apparent in the direction of the applied load) whereas steel or aluminium is
isotropic (uniform properties in all directions, independent of applied load). Therefore,
FRP composite properties are directional, meaning that the best mechanical properties
are in the direction of the fiber placement.
FRP composites are composed of:
1) Epoxy - The primary functions of the resin are to transfer stress between the
reinforcing fibers, act as a glue to hold the fibers together, and protect the fibers
from mechanical and environmental damage. The most common resins used in
the production of FRP grating are polyesters.
2) Reinforcements - The primary function of fibers or reinforcements is to carry
load along the length of the fiber to provide strength and stiffness in one
direction. Reinforcements can be oriented to provide tailored properties in the
direction of the loads imparted on the end product. The largest volume
reinforcement is glass fiber.

3) Fillers - Fillers are used to improve performance and reduce the cost of a
composite by lowering compound cost of the significantly more expensive resin
and imparting benefits as shrinkage control, surface smoothness, and crack
resistance.
4) Additives - Additives and modifier ingredients expand the usefulness of
polymers, enhance their process ability or extend product durability.
1.4.2 Advantages and limitations of FRP:

FRP has tremendous potential and has great advantages over conventional materials
and techniques of retrofitting of RC structures. However, there are some factors
limiting its frequent use such as very high material cost, lack of design codes on FRP in
many countries like India, unawareness of or reluctance to accept existing reports,
guidelines and technical publications. The following are major pros and cons of using
composites:
Advantages:
Corrosion proof.
Higher UTS and young's modulus.
Easy in transportation, can be installed easily.
Light weight. Hence, very high strength to weight ratio.
High fatigue resistance.
Joints can be easily avoided as they are available in desired length.
Limitations:
Low ductility value and fickly plastic behaviour

Susceptible to local unevenness.
High cost.
Low shear strength.
FRP's can be used in the concrete structures in following forms:
Plates- at the face to improve the tension capacity.

Laminates- below beams and slabs to improve load taking capacity.
Bars- as reinforcements in beams and slabs replacing the steel bars

Cables- can be used as tendons and post- tension members in suspension and
bridge girders.
Wraps- around concrete members i.e. columns, beams, slabs etc for
confinement.
1.5 Glass/Graphite Fibers

Glass and Graphite fibres are the most common of all reinforcing fibres for matrix
composites. The principal advantages of Glass fibers are low cost, high tensile strength,
high chemical resistance and excellent insulating properties where as Carbon/ Graphite
fibers have low coefficient of thermal expansion and high fatigue strength. In CFRP the
reinforcement is carbon fiber and in GFRP the reinforcement is glass fibre. Fibers
provide the strength. The matrix is usually a polymer resin, such as epoxy, to bind the
reinforcements together. Because FRP consists of two distinct elements, the material
properties depend on these two elements. The reinforcement that gives strength and
rigidity are measured by stress and elastic modulus respectively. Unlike isotropic
materials like steel and aluminum, FRP has directional strength properties. The
properties of FRP depend on the layouts of the fibers and the proportion of the fibers
relative to the polymer.
1.6 Numerical Methods

Many theoretical computations are there which formulate the behaviour of such
composites under loads and solving them gives the critical buckling load. But such
computations tend to be cumbersome and lengthy. The formulation for structural
analysis is generally based on the three fundamental relations: equilibrium, constitutive
and compatibility. There are two major approaches to the analysis: Analytical and
Numerical. Analytical approach which leads to closed-form solutions is effective in
case of simple geometry, boundary conditions, loadings and material properties.
However, in reality, such simple cases may not arise. As a result, various numerical
methods are evolved for solving such problems which are complex in nature. For
numerical approach, the solutions will be approximate when any of these relations are
only approximately satisfied. The numerical method depends heavily on the processing
power of computers and is more applicable to structures of arbitrary size and
complexity. It is common practice to use approximate solutions of differential

equations as the basis for structural analysis. This is usually done using numerical
approximation techniques. Few numerical methods which are commonly used to solve
solid and fluid mechanics problems are given below.
Finite Difference Method

Finite Volume Method
Finite Element Method
Boundary Element Method
Meshless Method
1.6.1 Finite Element Method

The recent trend in the development of plate theories is characterized by a heavy
reliance on modern high-speed computers and the development of the most complete
computer-oriented numerical methods, as well as by introduction of more rigorous
theories with regard to various physical effects, types of loading, etc. One such method
is Finite Element Method. It is versatile and efficient for the analysis of complex
structural behaviour of the composite structures.
The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical technique to find approximate

solutions of partial differential equations. It was originated from the need of solving
complex elasticity and structural analysis problems in Civil, Mechanical and Aerospace
engineering. FEM allows for detailed visualization and indicates the distribution of
stresses and strains inside the body of a structure. This powerful design tool has
significantly improved both the standard of engineering designs and the methodology
of the design process in many industrial applications. The use of FEM has significantly
decreased the time to take products from concept to the production line. One must take
the advantage of the advent of faster generation of personal computers for the analysis
and design of engineering product with precision level of accuracy.
According to the FEM, a plate is discretized into a finite number of elements (usually,
triangular or rectangular in shape), called finite elements and connected at their nodes
and along inter-elemental boundaries. Unknown functions (deflections, slopes, internal
forces, and moments) are assigned in the form of undetermined parameters at those
nodes. The equilibrium and compatibility conditions must be satisfied at each node and

along the boundaries between finite elements. To determine the functions at nodal
points, one of the variational principles is applied.
1.7 Concept of Finite Element Analysis

FEA consists of a computer model of a continuum that is stressed and analyzed for
specific results. A continuum has infinite particles with continuous variation of
material properties. Therefore, it needs to simplify to a finite size and is made up of an
assemblage of substructures, components and members. Discretization process is
necessary to convert whole structure to an assemblage of members/elements for
determining its responses.
1.7.1 Advantages of FEA

The physical properties, which are intractable and complex for any closed
bound solution, can be analyzed by this method.
It can take care of any geometry (may be regular or irregular).
It can take care of any boundary conditions.
Material anisotropy and non-homogeneity can be catered without much
difficulty.
It can take care of any type of loading conditions.
This method is superior to other approximate methods like Galerkine and
Rayleigh-Ritz methods.
In this method approximations are confined to small sub domains.
Enable to computer programming.
1.7.2 Disadvantages of FEA

Computational time involved in the solution of the problem is high.
For fluid dynamics problems some other methods of analysis may prove
efficient than the FEM.
1.7.3 Limitations of FEA

Proper engineering judgment is to be exercised to interpret results.
It requires large computer memory and computational time to obtain intend
results.

1.8 ANSYS
ANSYS is widely used software both in industries and by academicians. The versatility
of solving structural, thermal, dynamics and fluid mechanics problems has made this to
gain the highest preference by the end-users.
The ANSYS program is a powerful, multi-purpose program that can be used in a wide
variety of industries-automobiles, aerospace, railways, sporting goods etc to mention just
a few and in all disciplines of engineering structural mechanical, electrical,
electromagnetic, electronic thermal fluid and biomedical.
The ANSYS program has comprehensive graphical user interface (GUI) that gives users
an easy and interactive access to program functions, commands, documentation and
reference material. An intuitive menu system helps users to navigate through the ANSYS
program.
In general, a finite element solution may be broken into the following three stages. This
is a general guideline that can be used for setting up any finite element analysis.
1. Preprocessing: Defining the problem; the major steps in preprocessing are given
below:
Define keypoints/lines/areas/volumes.
Define element type and material/geometric properties.
Mesh lines/areas/volumes as required.
The amount of detail required will depend on the dimensionality of the analysis (i.e.
1D, 2D, axisymmetric, 3D).
2. Solution: Assigning loads, constraints and solving; here we specify the loads (point
or pressure), contraints (translational and rotational) and finally solve the resulting set
of equations.
3. Postprocessing: Further processing and viewing of the results; in this stage one may
wish to see:
Lists of nodal displacements.

Element forces and moments.
Deflection plots.
Stress contour diagrams.
1.9 SHELL181 Element
SHELL181 is suitable for analyzing thin to moderately-thick shell structures. It is a 4-

node element with six degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the x, y, and z
directions, and rotations about the x, y, and z-axes.
SHELL181 is well-suited for linear, large rotation, and/or large strain nonlinear
applications. It may be used for layered applications for modelling laminated
composite shells or sandwich construction.
Figure 1.2 Geometry of SHELL 181 Element

LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Historical developments of Plate theory

The first impetus to a mathematical statement of plate problem was done by Euler [1],
who in 1776 performed a free vibration analysis of plate problems. Chladni [2], a
German physicist, discovered the various modes of free vibrations. J. Bernoulli [3]
attempted to justify theoretically the results of these acoustic experiments. Bernoullis
solution were based on the previous work resulting in the EulerBernoullis bending
beam theory. J. Bernoulli presented a plate as a system of mutually perpendicular strips
at right angles to one another, each strip regarded to be functioning as a beam. But the
governing differential equation, as distinct from current approaches did not contain the
middle term.
The French mathematician, Germain [4] developed a plate differential equation that
lacked the warping term. Lagrange [5] corrected Germains results by adding the
missing term; thus, he was the first person to present the general plate equation
properly. Cauchy [6] and Poisson [7] were first to formulate the problem of plate
bending on the basis of general equations of theory of elasticity. Expanding all the
characteristic quantities into series in powers of distance from a middle surface, they
retained only terms of the first order of smallness. In such a way they obtained the
governing differential equation for deflections that coincides completely with the well-
known GermainLagrange equation.
In 1829, Poisson expanded successfully the Germain Lagrange plate equation to the
solution of a plate under static loading. In this solution, however, the plate flexural
rigidity D was set equal to a constant term. The first satisfactory theory of bending of
plates is associated with Navier [8], who considered the plate thickness in the general
plate equation as a function of rigidity D. He also introduced an exact method
which transformed the differential equation into algebraic expressions by use of
Fourier trigonometric series.
In 1850, Kirchhoff [9] published an important thesis on the theory of thin plates. In this
thesis, Kirchhoff stated two independent basic assumptions that are now widely
accepted in the plate-bending theory and are known as Kirchhoffs hypotheses.
Using these assumptions, Kirchhoff simplified the energy functional of 3D elasticity

theory for bent plates. He also pointed out that there exist only two boundary
conditions on a plate edge. Kirchhoffs other significant contributions are the discovery
of the frequency equation of plates and the introduction of virtual displacement
methods in the solution of plate problems.
Lord Kelvin (Thomson) and Tait [10] provided an additional insight relative to the
condition of boundary equations by converting twisting moments along the edge of a
plate into shearing forces. Thus, the edges are subject to only two forces: shear and
moment. Kirchhoffs book was translated by Clebsh [11]. The solution of rectangular
plates with two parallel simple supports and the other two supports arbitrary was
successfully solved by Levy [12] in the late 19th century.
At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, shipbuilders changed
their construction methods by replacing wood with structural steel. This change in
structural materials was extremely fruitful in the development of various plate theories.
Russian scientists made a significant contribution to naval architecture by being the
first to replace the ancient trade traditions with solid mathematical theories. In
particular, Krylov [13] and his student Bubnov [14] contributed extensively to the
theory of thin plates with flexural and extensional rigidities. Galerkin [15] collected
numerous bending problems for plates of arbitrary shape in a monograph. Timoshenko
made a significant contribution to the theory and application of plate bending analysis.
Among Timoshenkos [16,17] numerous important contributions are solutions of
circular plates considering large deflections and the formulation of elastic stability
problems. Timoshenko and Woinowsky-Krieger published a fundamental monograph
[18] that represented a profound analysis of various plate bending problems.
Extensive studies in the area of plate bending theory and its various applications were
carried out by such outstanding scientists as Hencky, Huber, von Karman, Nadai.
Hencky made a contribution to the theory of large deformations and the general theory
of elastic stability of thin plates. Nadai made extensive theoretical and experimental
investigations associated with a check of the accuracy of Kirchhoffs plate theory. The
final form of the differential equation of the large-deflection theory, however, was
developed by von Karman. He also investigated the post-buckling behaviour of plates.
E. Reissner [19] developed a rigorous plate theory which considers the deformations

caused by the transverse shear forces. The governing equation for a thin rectangular
plate subjected to direct compressive forces Nx was first derived by Navier.
2.2 Work on buckling analysis

The initial theoretical research into elastic flexural- torsional buckling was preceded by
Eulers (1759) treatise on column flexural buckling, which gave the first analytical
method of predicting the reduced strengths of slender columns and by Saint-Venants
(1855) memoir on uniform torsion, which gave the first reliable description of the
twisting response of members to torsion. However, it was not until 1899 that the first
treatments were published of flexural-torsional buckling by Michel and Prandtl, who
considered the lateral buckling of beams of narrow rectangular cross-section. Their
work was extended by Timoshenko to include the effects of warping torsion in I-
section beams.
Bryan (1891)[20] gave the first solution for the problem by using the energy method to
obtain the values of the critical loads. He assumed that the deflection surface of the
buckled plate could be represented by a double Fourier series.
Timoshenko (1925) used another method to solve the problem. He assumed that the
plate buckled into several sinusoidal half waves in the direction of compression. When
satisfying the boundary conditions, the equations formed a matrix problem which upon
solving yields the critical load. The problem was discussed in many standard textbooks
such as Timoshenko and Gere (1961) and Bulson (1970). Apart from simply supported
plates, Timoshenko (1925) explored the buckling of uniformly compressed rectangular
plates that are simply supported along two opposite sides perpendicular to the
direction of compression and having various edges along the other two sides. The
various boundary conditions considered include SSSS, CSCS, FSSS, FSCS, CSES (S
simply supported edge, F - free edge, C - clamped or built-in edge and E - elastically
restrained edge). The theoretical results were in good agreement with experimental
results obtained by Bridget et al. (1934).
The earliest accurate solution available are due to Levy (1942) for the case of CCCC
plate with one direction uniaxial compression. He regarded the plate as simply
supported, and then made the edge slopes equal to zero by a suitable distribution of
edge-bending moments. Bleich (1952) obtained the critical load for the ESES plates
with loaded edges elastically restrained. Schuette and Mcculloch (1947) employed the
Lagrangian multiplier to solve the buckling problem of ESSS plates. Walker (1967)
used the Galerkins method to give accurate values of critical load for a number of the
edge conditions as mentioned before. He also studied the case of ESFS plates.
Leissa gave a summary of the buckling and post-buckling studies of composite

laminated plates up to 1986 and then he reviewed the development of buckling analysis
of laminated composite plates with linear effective constitutive properties. Later a more
detailed account of the research on the buckling and post-buckling before 1995 was
presented by Noor.
Srivatsa & Murthy, (1992) determined the effects of boundary conditions, fibre
orientations, circular cutout sizes on the buckling load of fibre-reinforced plastic square
panels using finite element method.
A.K. Shrivastava & R.K. Singh, (1998) studied the effect of aspect ratio on buckling
behaviour. In the paper an attempt was made to study the effect of aspect ratio, d/b &
d/D on the buckling of laminated composite plates by FEA using ANSYS.
Hu & Chen, (1999) carried out numerical analysis using ABAQUS finite element
program to examine the influence of end conditions aspect ratios, circular cutouts,
lateral loads on the optimal fiber orientations and the associated optimal buckling loads
of un-symmetrically laminated plates under uni-axial compression load.
Singh & Ashwin, (1998) carried out the post buckling response and progressive failure
of thin symmetric rectangular laminates subjected to in-plane shear loads with various
lay-ups and plate aspect ratios using finite element method.
Nemeth, (1997) investigated buckling analysis of infinitely long symmetrically

laminated graphite/epoxy composite plates without cutout subjected to linearly varying
edge loads, uniform shear loads or combination of these loads.
A procedure for determining the buckling load of the aluminum rectangular plate is
presented by Supasak and Singhatanadgid (2002). Buckling load of aluminium
rectangular plates are determined using four different techniques, i.e. (1) a plot of
applied load vs. out- of-plane displacement, (2) a plot of applied load vs. end

shortening, (3) a plot of applied load vs. average in-plane strain, and (4)the South well
plot.
Hu et al, (2003) examined the buckling behaviour of a graphite/epoxy symmetrically

laminated composite rectangular plate without cutout under parabolic variation of axial
loads.
Using finite element method Jain & Ashwin (2004) investigated the effects of the
cutout shape, size and the alignment of the elliptical cutout on the buckling and the
first-ply failure loads of square laminates subjected to uni-axial compression load.
Shukla and Kreuzer, (2005) proposed a formulation based on the first-order shear
deformation theory and von-Karman type nonlinearity to estimate the critical/buckling
loads of laminated composite rectangular plates under in-plane uniaxial and biaxial
loadings. Different combinations of simply supported, clamped and free boundary
conditions were considered.
Buket Okutan Baba, (2007) studied the influence of boundary conditions on the
buckling load for rectangular plates. Numerical and experimental studies are conducted
to investigate the effect of boundary conditions, length/thickness ratio, and ply
orientation on the buckling behavior of E-glass/epoxy composite plates under in-plane
compression load. Buckling analysis of the laminated composites was performed by
using finite element analysis software ANSYS.
Zhong & Gu, (2007) examined the effects of plate aspect ratios, load intensity
variation and layup configuration on the buckling behavior of simply supported
symmetrical cross-ply composite rectangular plates without cutout.
Murat Yazici, (2008) studied the influence of square cut-out upon the buckling
stability of multilayered, steel woven fiber-reinforced polypropylene thermoplastic
matrix composite plate using numerical and experimental methods
Husam et al, (2009) carried out buckling analysis of square composite plates with
circular cutout to investigate the effects of cutout size, cutout location, fibre orientation
angle and type of loading on the buckling load.

Panda & Ramachandra, (2010) studied the effects of boundary conditions, non-
uniform in-plane loading, plate aspect ratio and length/thickness ratio on the buckling
behavior of rectangular composite plates without cutout.
These composite structural components are subjected to severe thermal loads and are
found to buckle at high temperature without the application of mechanical loads
Singha (2000).
The external skin of high speed flight vehicles experiences high temperature rise due to
aerodynamic heating, which can induce thermal buckling and dynamic instability
Ibrahim et. al. (2007).
The earliest studies to examine behaviour effect of thermal loading on buckling of

composite plates were conducted by Lien-Wen and Lei-Yi (1989) who investigated
the thermal post-buckling behaviour of composite laminated plates subjected to a non-
uniform temperature by finite element method.
Pandey et al, (2006) presented buckling and post-buckling response of moderately

thick laminated composite rectangular plates subjected to in-plane mechanical and
uniform temperature loading. The buckling /limiting load and post-buckling strength
increase with increase in number of layers but become insignificant if the number of
layers is more than 8 to 10.
Bojanic, (2008) focused on stability analysis of the thin-walled isotropic and

composite structures subjected to both mechanical and thermal loading.
2.3 Need for study

The extensive use of laminated composites in various types of plates is of considerable
interest in the field of modelling, analysis and design of these structures. Accurate
prediction of structural response characteristics is a challenging problem for the
analysis of laminated composites due to the anisotropic structural behaviour and the
presence of various types of complicated constituent couplings. Buckling response of
plate is one of many important considerations of engineering design and a thorough
study of stability behaviours of these structures is essential in assessing their full
potential. Composite materials mainly fail due to stability rather than due to strength.
So it is important to study its stability analysis. Buckling phenomenon is critically

dangerous to structural components because the buckling of composite plates usually

occurs at a lower applied stress and generates large deformation.
2.4 Aim of work

It is evident from the literature review that a lot of work has been done in carrying out
the buckling analysis of a laminated composite plate for various support conditions
such as SSSS, CSCS, FSSS, FSCS, CSES (S simply supported edge, F - free edge, C
- clamped or built-in edge and E - elastically restrained edge) with uni-axial, bi-axial,
in-plane and uniformly varying edge loads. Analysis for plates was done with cutouts
and without cutouts, by changing aspect ratios, thickness and fibres orientations of
various layers for different materials.
It is found that not much work has been done on the analysis of plates under thermal
loads. Hence, in this work an effort has been made to analyse and determine the
buckling loads for graphite-epoxy and glass-epoxy with varying boundary conditions.
2.5 Outline
In present work, Graphite-epoxy and Glass-epoxy composite plates are used to study
their buckling behavior. In Chapter 2 a brief history of development of plate theory and
various previous research works are presented. In chapter 3 mathematical formulation
of the element is presented. In chapter 4 ANSYS modeling is shown using SHELL181
element.
The laminated composite plates are analysed for buckling responses under various span
to thickness ratios, modular ratio, ply orientations, boundary conditions, uniaxial and
biaxial and thermal loadings in Chapter 5. The results obtained are tabulated and
various plots are also shown. The conclusions drawn are shown at the end in Chapter 6.
The various references used during the course of analysis are mentioned in Chapter 7.

THEORETICAL FORMULATION
The buckling of a plate involves two planes, namely, x-z, y-z and boundary conditions
on each edge of the plate. The basic difference between plate and column lies in the
buckling characteristics. The column, once it buckles, cannot resist any additional axial
load. Thus, the critical load of the column is also its failure load. On the other hand, a
plate, since it is invariably supported at the edges, continues to resist the additional
axial load even after the primary buckling load is reached and does not fail even when
the load reaches a value 10-15 times the buckling load.
In case of an ideal column, as the axial load is increased, the lateral displacement
remains zero until the attainment of the critical buckling load called the Euler load.
When the axial load reaches the Euler buckling load, the lateral displacement increases
indefinitely at constant load. A perfectly flat plate is similar to that for an ideal column.
In case of plates, they carry loads higher than the elastic critical load. They have post
buckling strength compared to columns.
3.1 Theory of bending of thin plates

The theory for thin plates is similar to the theory for beams. In pure bending of beams,
"the stress distribution is obtained by assuming that cross-sections of the bar remain
plane during bending and rotate only with respect to their neutral axes so as to be
always normal to the deflection curve." For a thin plate, bending in two perpendicular
directions occur. A rectangular plate element is shown below:
Figure 3.1 Thin plate notation

The basic assumptions of elastic thin plate bending are:
1. Perfectly flat plate and of uniform thickness.
2. The thickness of the plate is small compared with other dimensions. For plate
bending, the thickness, h, is less than or equal to of the smallest width of the
plate. For plate buckling equations, the thickness, h, should be 1/10 of the
smallest width of the plate.
3. Deflections are small, i.e., smaller or equal to 1/2 of the thickness.
4. The middle plane of the plate does not elongate during bending and remains a
neutral surface. The lateral sides remain plane during bending and rotate only to
be normal to the deflection surface. Therefore, the stresses and strains are
proportional to their distance from the neutral surface.
5. The bending and twisting of the plate element resist the applied loads. The
effect of shearing forces is neglected.
3.2 Buckling of Composite plates
Composite materials consist of two or more materials which together produce desirable
properties that cannot be achieved with any of the constituents alone. Fibre-reinforced
composite plates contain high strength and high modulus fibres which are the principal
load carrying members. The matrix material keeps the fibres together, act as a load-
transfer medium between fibres and prevents fibre from being exposed to the
environment. Laminated composite plate is a stack of so many laminas. Each
lamina/ply is typically a thin (approximately 0.2 mm) sheet of collimated fibres
impregnated with an uncured epoxy or other thermosetting polymer matrix material.
The orientation of each ply is arbitrary, and the layup sequence is tailored to achieve
the properties desired of the laminate.
Fibre reinforced composite materials for structural applications are made in the form of
a thin layer, called lamina. A lamina is a macro unit of material whose material
properties are determined through appropriate laboratory tests. Structural elements such
as bars, beams and plates are then formed by stacking the layers to achieve desired
strength and stiffness. Fibre orientation in each lamina and stacking sequence of the
layers can be chosen to achieve desired strength and stiffness.
Figure 3.2 A laminated rectangular plate under in -plane uniaxial co mpression
3.3 Governing equations
A laminated plate is made by stacking and gluing of laminas.The properties of the

constituent lamina decides the stiffness of laminated plate. To do this, we should know
the orientations of the principle material directions of the lamina with respect to the
laminate axis. Therefore a knowledge of stress and strain through the laminate
thickness is necessary.
We shall make the following assumptions regarding the behaviour of a laminate:
1. It is made up of perfectly bonded lamina.
2. The bonds are infinitesimally thin and no lamina can slip relative to the other.
This implies that the displacements are continuous across the lamina
boundaries. As a result, the laminate behaves like a lamina with special
properties.
3. No body force exists.
4. Rotary inertia terms are negligible.
5. After buckling, a line originally straight and perpendicular to the middle surface
of the laminate remains straight and perpendicular to the middle surface.
6. The strain perpendicular to the middle surface of the laminate is ignored.

Figure 3.3 Laminated composite plate
Classical Laminate Theory, has been used to derive the governing buckling equations
for a plate subjected to in plane load. To derive the governing equations we have
considered first the equilibrium of force and then the equilibrium of moment in a way
as discussed below:
The equilibrium equations in terms of the forces (Fig 3.4) are
+ =0
+ =0 (3.1)
where , , are the internal forces in normal and tangential direction. Again, the
equilibrium equation in terms of the moments (Fig.3.5) is
+ +2 + + +2 =0 (3.2)
where , , are the forces applied at the edges.

Figure 3.4 In-plane forces on laminate
Figure 3.5 Moments on a laminate
The resultant forces , , and moments , , acting on a laminate are

obtained by integration of the stress in each layer or lamina through the laminate
thickness. Knowing the stress in terms of the displacement, we can obtain the stress
resultants , , , and .
The stress resultants are defined as

(3.3)
where and are normal and shear stress.
Actually, , , are the force per unit length of the cross section of the laminate
as shown in Fig.3.4 Similarly , , are the moment per unit length as shown in
Fig.3.5. Thus, the forces and moments for an N-layer laminate can be defined as
= (3.4)
= (3.5)
Substituting for , , and in equations (3.2) and (3.3) and integrating over the
thickness of each layer and adding the results so obtained for N layers, we can write the
stress resultants as
= + (3.6)
= + (3.7)
Here, are the extensional stiffness, the coupling stiffness, and the flexural
stiffness.
For anti-symmetric angle-ply and cross-ply laminates stress resultants are simplified in
the following sections.
In the case of angle-ply laminates where the fibre orientation alternates from lamina to
lamina as + /- /+ /- , the force and moment resultants are
= + (3.8)
= + (3.9)
Such a laminate is called an anti-symmetric angle-ply laminate. In this type of

laminate, if each lamina has the same thickness, it is then called a regular anti-
symmetric angle-ply laminate. For such a laminate, equations (3.6) and (3.7) reduce to
= + (3.10)
= + (3.11)
3.3.1 Cross ply laminates

There is yet another class of laminates. Here the lamina are oriented alternatively at
and . A laminate of this type is termed as cross-ply laminate.Such a laminate can,
again, be either symmetric cross-ply or antisymmetric cross-ply.
Substituting for , , , , , from equations 3.8 and 3.9 , after

substituting for , , , , , in equations 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, we get the
governing equations as
+( + ) + ( +2 )+ + -
-3 - - =0 (3.12)

+( + ) + + + + -
-3 - - =0 (3.13)
+4 + (2 +4 ) +4 + -
-3 - - - -
- =- - -2 (3.14)

ANSYS Modelling
4.1 Pre-processing
Graphical User Interface (GUI) of ANSYS where modelling is done is shown in Fig
4.1
Figure 4.1 Graphical User Interface of ANSYS
The required element type is selected from the library of element types as shown in Fig
4.2. Here SHELL 181 element is selected.
Fig 4.3 presents the material property input. In this subject we use orthotropic
materials, so we select orthotropic properties and input the values of modular ratio,
poison ratio, shear moduli as shown in figure.
Fig 4.4 shows defining thickness of the plate. Here first we select the span to thickness
ratio and then determine the thickness of each layer and orientation of fibres.
Fig 4.5 shows meshing of the plate.

Figure 4.2 Selection of Element Type
Figure 4.3 Material property input

Figure 4.4 Defining thickness of the plate.
Figure 4.5 Meshing the modelled plate.

4.2 Processing
In this part the loads are assigned, and the model is analysed by selecting the type of
analysis to be performed. For buckling analysis first static analysis is to be performed
then Eigen buckling is done as shown in Fig 4.6. Fig 4.7 shows the plate with loads
assigned and constrained.
Figure 4.6 Performing Static Analysis.
Figure 4.7 Assigning loads and constraints.

Figure 4.8 Eigen buckling analysis of plate.
4.3 Post-processing
Figure 4.9 Contour Plot of buckling of plate.

4.4 Steps in modelling

Eigenvalue Buckling Analysis
PREPROCESSING: Defining the Problem
1. Open preprocessor menu
/PREP7
2. Give Title
Utility Menu > File > Change Title...
3. Define the Type of Element
Preprocessor > Element Type > Add/Edit/Delete...
For this problem we will use the SHELL281 element.
4. Define Element Material Properties
Preprocessor > Material Props > Material Models > Structural > Linear >
Elastic > Orthotropic
5.Defining Section
Preprocessor >Sections>Shell>Lay-up>Add
6.Creating Model
Preprocessor >Modeling>Create>Areas>Rectangle>By dimensions..
7.Mesh the Plate
Preprocessor > Meshing > Mesh Tool>Areas-set
Select the area to be meshed. Element edge length -25. Click OK.
Preprocessor >Mesh Tool>Free>Mesh.
SOLUTION PHASE: Assigning Loads and Solving
1. Define Analysis Type

Solution > Analysis Type > New Analysis > Static>Ok
2. Activate Prestress effects
To perform an eigenvalue buckling analysis, prestress effects must be activated.
In the following window, change the [SSTIF][PSTRES] item to 'Prestress ON',

which ensures the stress stiffness matrix is calculated. This is required in
eigenvalue buckling analysis.
3. Apply Constraints
Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Structural > Displacement > On Nodes
Click on Box in the popped box. Select the all the nodes on top and bottom
edge of the plate.Click on OK and select the end restraints from the box. Click
OK to assign them.
4. Apply Loads
Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Structural >Pressure>On Lines.
Select the lines over which loads are to be applied.
Apply a load of 1N.
5. Solve the System
Solution > Solve > Current LS
SOLVE
6. Exit the Solution processor
Close the solution menu and click FINISH at the bottom of the Main Menu.
FINISH
Normally at this point you enter the Post-processing phase. However, with a
buckling analysis you must re-enter the solution phase and specify the buckling
analysis. Be sure to close the solution menu and re-enter it or the buckling
analysis may not function properly.

7. Define Analysis Type
Solution > Analysis Type > New Analysis > Eigen Buckling
8. Specify Buckling Analysis Options
i. Select Solution > Analysis Type > Analysis Options

ii. Complete the window which appears, as shown below. Select 'Block
Lanczos' as an extraction method and extract 3 mode. The 'Block Lanczos'
method is used for large symmetric eigenvalue problems and uses the sparse
matrix solver. The 'Subspace' method could also be used, however it tends
to converge slower as it is a more robust solver. In more complex analyses
the Block Lanczos method may not be adequate and the Subspace method
would have to be used.
9. Solve the System
Solution > Solve > Current LS. Click SOLVE.
10. Exit the Solution processor
Close the solution menu and click FINISH at the bottom of the Main Menu.
FINISH
Again it is necessary to exit and re-enter the solution phase. This time, however,
is for an expansion pass. An expansion pass is necessary if you want to review
the buckled mode shape(s).
11. Expand the solution
i. Select Solution > Analysis Type > Expansion Pass... and ensure that it is on.
You may have toselect the 'Unabridged Menu' again to make this option
visible.
ii. Select Solution > Load Step Opts > ExpansionPass > Single Expand >
Expand Modes >No. of modes to extract-3.
12. Solve the System
Solution > Solve > Current LS

SOLVE
POSTPROCESSING: Viewing the Results
1. View the Buckling Load
To display the minimum load required to buckle the beam select General
Postproc > Read Results>By pick>Select the first mode.
2. Display the Mode Shape
i. Select General Postproc > Plot Results > Deformed Shape>Select Deformed
+ undeformed. Click OK.
3. Display the Contour
i. Select General Postproc >Contour Plot>Nodal Solution>Z-Component of

displacement-OK.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
5.1 Problem description

ANSYS model is created for understanding the buckling of 2 types of composite plates.
For the composite plate, the material properties are assumed to be same in all the
layers. The ply angle of each layer is measured from the global x-axis to the fibre
direction. The thickness of each layer is identified. All the units of the model data are
assumed to be consistent. The following are the mechanical properties of graphite-
epoxy and glass-epoxy composites obtained from previous study and used throughout
the study.
Material 1 (Graphite-epoxy): E1=141GPa, E2=13.1GPa; G12 = G13 =G23= 9.31GPa;

12 = 13 = 23 = 0.28; 1=0.018 x 10-6/oC,2=21.6 x 10-6/oC.
Material 2 (Glass-epoxy): E1=41GPa, E2=10.4GPa; G12 = G13= G23 =4.3GPa;

12 = 13 = 23 = 0.28; 1=7x 10-6/oC,2=26 x 10-6/oC.
Non-dimensional parameter:
All the results are presented in the form of non-dimensional buckling load () or
buckling coefficient (K) to make them independent of plate size, thickness, material
properties.
Non-dimensional buckling load ()= No a2/(E2 h3)
5.2 Study of Material 1(Graphite-Epoxy Composites):

This section deals with the uniaxial buckling analysis of laminated square plates with
different modular ratios, span-to-thickness ratios, number of layers, mixed boundary
conditions and thermal buckling.

Figure 5.1 Cross-ply square laminated plate subjected to in-plane compression.
5.2.1 Convergence study and effect of modulus ratio

A simply supported four-layer cross-ply [0/90/90/0] square laminated plate is
chosen to study the buckling behaviour of laminated plate. The span-to-thickness ratio
of the plate a/h is taken to be 10 in the computation.
Table 5.1 shows the convergence and comparison of non-dimensional uniaxial
buckling loads with other solutions. It is found that the ANSYS element yields accurate
results in a wide range of E1/E2 ratios. It can be seen that the present results are in good
agreement with the 3D elasticity solutions [21] and slightly better than FSDT-based
RPIMs solutions[22].
Table 5.1 Simply supported cross-ply [0/90/90/0] square plate: convergence of

normalized critical buckling loads with various E1/E2 ratios and comparison with
other solutions (= N0 a2/(E2 h3) ), a/h = 10.
MODULAR 3 10 20 30 40
RATIO(E1/E2)
ANSYS 5.299 9.746 15.043 19.459 23.127
FSDT(22) 5.401 9.985 15.374 19.537 23.154

HSDT(23) 5.114 9.774 15.298 19.957 23.340
HSDT(24) 5.442 10.026 15.418 19.813 23.489
3D
5.294 9.762 15.019 19.304 23.881
ELASTICITY(21)
25
ANSYS
20
FSDT[22]
15
HSDT[23]
*
10
HSDT[24]
5
3D
Elasticity[21]
0
0 10 20 30 40 50
E1/E2
Figure 5.2 Effect of modulus ratio on critical buckling load
5.2.2 Effect of span-to-thickness ratio

The effect of the span-to-thickness ratio (a/h) on the uniaxial critical buckling load is
studied for simply supported symmetric/ antisymmetric 2-layer cross-ply [0/90] and
angle-ply [-45/ 45] square plates. The results obtained by the present ANSYS
element are shown in Table 2 for various span-to-thickness ratios a/h = 10, 20, 50, 100.
The variation of critical buckling load with span-to-thickness ratios for both cross-ply
and angle-ply are plotted in fig 5.3
Table 5.2 Simply supported cross-ply [0/90] and angle-ply [-45/45] square
plate with various a/h ratios: normalized critical buckling loads (*= Noa2/(E2h3)).

a/h (0o/90o) (-45o/45o)
10 10.003 11.326
20 10.866 12.826
50 11.268 15.141
100 11.375 15.841
18
(0/90)
(-45/45)
16
14
* 12
10
6
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
Span-to-thickness ratio
Figure 4 5.3 Effect of span-to-thickness ratio on critical buckling load
5.2.3 Effect of mixed boundaries

The influence of the mixed boundary conditions and span-to-thickness ratio are now
considered. The plate is always simply supported (S) along the edges parallel to the y-
axis while the other edges have simply supported (S), clamped (C) or free (F) boundary
conditions. The notation SSFC, for example, refers to the simply supported condition
of the two edges parallel to the y-axis and the free and fully clamped conditions for the
two edges parallel to the x-axis as shown in Fig 5.1.
Table 5.3 contain the normalized critical buckling loads for various mixed boundaries.

Table 5.3 Cross-ply 10-layer [0/90]5 square plate with various mixed
boundaries: normalized critical buckling loads (a/h = 10, *= Noa2/(E2h3)).
Boundary SSSS SSFF SSCC SSSC SSFC SSFS

conditions
Critical
15.593 6.307 29.756 8.183 25.766 7.128
buckling loads
35
30
25
20
Buckling loads
15
10
0
SSSS SSFF SSCC SSSC SSFC SSFS
Boundary Conditions
Figure 5.4 Effect of boundary conditions on buckling load for uniaxial pressure
Figure 5.5 Fundamental buckling mode of cross-ply 10-layer [0/90]5 square plate with various
mixed boundaries.

5.2.4 Laminated square plates under biaxial compression

In this section, 10-layer symmetric cross-ply [0/90] square plate is chosen to
demonstrate the computation of the bi-axial buckling loads. The plate is of width a and
thickness h and the span-to-thickness ratio a/h is taken to be 10. Firstly, the effect of
modulus ratio E1/E2 on the critical bi-axial buckling load is studied. Table 5.4reports
the normalized critical buckling loads obtained by the present study.
Table 5.4 Simply supported cross-ply [0/90/90o/0] square plate with various
modulus ratio: critical bi-axial buckling loads (= No a2/ (E2h3)).
Modular Ratio 3 10 20 30 40
(E1/E2)
Critical
3.768 5.464 7.730 8.841 9.773
buckling loads
12
ANSYS
10
0
0 10 20 30 40 50
E1/E2
Figure 5.6 Effect of modulus ratio on biaxial buckling of a laminated plate

The effect of the span-to-thickness ratio (a/h) on the biaxial critical buckling load is
element are shown in Table 5.5 for various span-to-thickness ratios a/h = 10, 20, 50,
100. The variation of critical buckling load with span-to-thickness ratios for both cross-
ply and angle-ply are plotted in fig 5.6
a/h (0o/90o) (-45o/45o)
10 5.109 7.408
20 5.549 10.397
50 5.768 12.443
100 5.829 13.073
14
12
10
8 (0/90)
*
6
(-45/45)
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Figure 5.7 Effect of span-to-thickness ratio on critical buckling load

The influence of the mixed boundary conditions and span-to-thickness ratio for a
composite plate with bi-axial load are now considered. The 10-layer [0/90]5 square

plate is analysed. Table 5.6 contain the normalized critical buckling loads for various
mixed boundaries obtained by the present method.
Table 5.6 Cross-ply [0/90]5 square plate with mixed boundaries: normalized
critical bi-axial buckling loads (a/h = 10, *= No a2/ (E2h3)).

conditions
Critical
8.797 3.987 29.756 4.926 13.066 4.87
buckling loads
30
25
Buckling loads
20
15
10
0
Boundary Conditions
Figure 5.8 Variation of buckling load with boundary conditions
5.2.7 Effect of temperature

The influence of thermal load for mixed boundary conditions and change in
orientation of fibres for a composite plate is studied. The cross ply (0o/90o) and angle
ply (-45o/45o) for a square plate with a/h =50 is analysed. Table 5.7 contain the
normalized critical buckling temperatures for various mixed boundaries obtained by the
present analysis.

Table 5.7 Square plate with mixed boundaries and ply orientation: buckling
temperatures (a/h =50).
Boundary Buckling temperatures (in oC)

conditions
(0o/90o) (-45o/45o)
SSSS 32.7 37.5
SSFF 83.09 110.05
SSCC 40.3 37.4
SSSC 69.7 38.3
SSFC 52.3 39.1
SSFS 44.9 62.8
120
(0/90) (-45/45)
100
Buckling temoeratures (in oC)
80
60
40
20
0
Boundary Conditions
Figure 5.9 Effect of temperature with various boundary conditions

5.3 Study of Material 2(Glass Fiber-Epoxy Composites):

This section deals with the uniaxial buckling analysis of laminated glass fiber epoxy
composite square plate with different modular ratios, span-to-thickness ratios, number
of layers, mixed boundary conditions and thermal buckling.
5.3.1 Effect of modulus ratio

A simply supported four-layer cross-ply [0/90/90/0] square laminated plate is
chosen to study the buckling behaviour of laminated plate. The span-to-thickness ratio
of the plate a/h is taken to be 10 in the Table 5.8 shows the non-dimensional uniaxial
buckling loads.
Table 5.8 Simply supported cross-ply [0/90/90/0] square plate: normalized

critical buckling loads with various E1/E2 ratios (= N0 a2/(E2 h3) ), a/h = 10.
(E1/E2)
Critical
5.26 9.67 14.2 19.21 22.80
buckling loads

The effect of the span-to-thickness ratio (a/h) on the uniaxial critical buckling load is
a/h (0o/90o) (-45o/45o)
10 4.364 4.614

20 4.722 5.608
50 4.887 6.184
100 4.93 6.356
4
* 0/90
3
0/45
2
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110

The influence of the mixed boundary conditions and span-to-thickness ratio are
considered. Table 5.10 contain the normalized critical buckling loads for various mixed
boundaries.
Table 5.10 Cross-ply 10-layer [0/90]5 square plate with various mixed boundaries:
normalized critical buckling loads (a/h = 10, *= Noa2/(E2h3)).

conditions
Critical
5.199 1.937 10.263 8.739 2.647 2.013
buckling loads

12
10
6
K
0
Boundary Conditions
Figure 5.11 Effect of boundary conditions on buckling load for uniaxial load
5.3.4 Laminated square plates under biaxial compression

In this section, 10-layer symmetric cross-ply [0/90] square plate is chosen to
demonstrate the computation of the bi-axial buckling loads. The plate is of width a and
thickness h and the span-to-thickness ratio a/h is taken to be 10.
Table 5.11 Simply supported cross-ply [0/90/90o/0] square plate with various
modulus ratio: critical bi-axial buckling loads (= No a2/ (E2h3))
(E1/E2)
Critical
4.403 5.432 7.985 10.08 11.83
buckling loads

14
12
10
8
ANSYS
6
0
0 10 20 30 40 50
E1/E2
Figure 5.12 Effect of modulus ratio on biaxial buckling of a laminated plate

The effect of the span-to-thickness ratio (a/h) on the biaxial critical buckling load is
a/h (0o/90o) (-45o/45o)
10 2.486 3.65
20 2.690 4.463
50 2.789 4.938
100 2.812 5.080

(0/90)
* 3
2 (-45/45)
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120

The influence of the mixed boundary conditions and span-to-thickness ratio for a
composite plate with bi-axial load are now considered. The 10-layer [0/90]5 square
plate is analysed. Table 5.13 contain the normalized critical buckling loads for various
mixed boundaries obtained by the present method.
Table 5.13 Cross-ply [0/90]5 square plate with mixed boundaries: normalized
critical bi-axial buckling loads (a/h = 10, *= No a2/ (E2h3)).

conditions
Critical
3.124 1.361 10.262 4.646 1.522 1.561
buckling loads

12
10
6
K
0
Boundary Conditions
Figure 5.14 Variation of buckling load with boundary conditions
5.3.7 Effect of temperature

The influence of temperature for mixed boundary conditions and change in orientation
of fibres for a composite plate is studied. The cross ply (0o/90o) and angle ply (-
45o/45o) for a square plate with a/h =50 is analysed. Table 5.14 contain the normalized
critical buckling temperatures for various mixed boundaries obtained by the present
method.
Table 5.14 Square plate with mixed boundaries and ply orientation: buckling
temperatures (a/h =50).
Boundary Buckling temperatures (in oC)
conditions
(0o/90o) (-45o/45o)
SSSS 9.18 9.95
SSFF 20.73 21.42
SSCC 11.63 11.02
SSSC 16.74 10.62

SSFC 12.74 9.82
SSFS 10.62 15.54
25
(0/90) (-45/45)
20
Buckling temoeratures (in oC)
15
10
0
Boundary Conditions
Figure 5.15 Effect of temperature with various boundary conditions
A comparative study has been carried out on Graphite-Epoxy laminates and Glass
Epoxy laminates. The effect of modular ratio, span to thickness ratio, ply orientation
and temperature is studied. It is found that the buckling load is higher for Graphite-
Epoxy composite as the E value is higher than Glass-Epoxy composites. Fig 5.16
shows the variation of buckling loads of Graphite-Epoxy and Glass-Epoxy for uniaxial
load and varying modular ratio. It is evident from the plot that for similar modular
ratios both the composites buckle at same loads under uniaxial and biaxial loadings.

25
Uniaxial-Graphite-Epoxy
Biaxial-Graphite-Epoxy
Uniaxial-Glass-Epoxy"
20 Biaxial-Glass-Epoxy
15
Buckling loads
10
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Modulus ratio (E1/E2)
Figure 5.16 Effect of modulus ratio for Graphite-epoxy and Glass-epoxy laminates.
Fig 5.17 shows the variation of buckling loads of Graphite-Epoxy and Glass-Epoxy for
biaxial load. It can be seen that both the composites follow same trend but the graphite-
epoxy buckles at loads higher than that in glass-epoxy composites.
25 Uniaxial-Graphite-Epoxy
Biaxial-Graphite-Epoxy
Uniaxial-Glass-Epoxy
Biaxial-Glass-Epoxy
20
Buckling loads
15
10
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Span to thickness ratio
Figure 5.17 Effect of span to thickness ratio for Graphite-epoxy and Glass-epoxy laminates.

Fig 5.18 shows the effect of boundary conditions on Graphite-Epoxy and Glass-Epoxy
laminates under uniaxial loading. From the plot it is evident that the plate with clamped
condition at either end buckles at higher loads than with other end conditions.
30 Graphite-Epoxy Glass-Epoxy
25
20
Buckling loads
15
10
0
Boundary conditions
Figure 5.18 Effect of boundary conditions for uniaxial loading on Graphite and Glass-epoxy
laminates
30
Graphite-Epoxy Glass-Epoxy
25
20
Buckling loads
15
10
0
Boundary conditions
Figure 5.19 Effect of boundary conditions for biaxial loading on Graphite and Glass-epoxy
laminates

laminates under biaxial loading. Under uniaxial and biaxial loadings with one edge
clamped and other edge simply supported condition both the plates buckled at almost
same load.
laminates with (0o/90o) ply orientations under the effect of temperature. The plate with
2 edges free carry higher loads than in case of clamped edges. This is due to the fact
that additional load is applied on the plates due to the reactions caused by elongation of
plate under thermal loads. Since no loads are generated in plates with free end
conditions, these plates buckle at higher loads.
90
80
70
Buckling temperatures
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Boundary conditions
Figure 5.20 Effect of boundary conditions for ply orientation of (0 o/90o )
laminates with (-45o/45o) ply orientations under the effect of temperature. From Fig
5.20 and 5.21 it can be seen that the trend changes with change in orientation of fibres
in the plate. Though buckling loads are higher in plates with 0o/90o orientation than in -
45o/45o for almost all cases but the highest load is for plate with -45o /45o orientation
and 2 opposite edges free-free condition.

120
Buckling temperatures 100
80
60
40
20
0
Boundary conditions
Figure 5.21 Effect of boundary conditions for ply orientation of (-45o/45o )

CONCLUSIONS
The numerical solutions obtained are in excellent agreement with those of other
efficient numerical models and analytic solutions. The effect of various parameters on
the critical buckling load is discussed. The conclusions drawn are as follows:
1. The results for Graphite-epoxy composite in Table 1 are in good agreement
with the 3D elasticity solutions, FSDT and HSDT solutions established by
previous authors.
2. The critical buckling loads increase with increasing span-to-thickness ratio for
both cross ply and angle-ply laminates. The critical buckling load was found to
be higher for plates with orientation of -45o/45o than in 90o/0o. But for higher
modulus ratios change in critical buckling load was insignificant.
3. Of the various boundary conditions applied, the plate with 2 opposite edges
simply supported and 2 edges clamped buckled at higher loads.
4. For all the cases the critical buckling loads followed same trend under uniaxial
and biaxial loading.
5. The modes of buckling vary with change in the boundary conditions.
6. Both the composites followed similar pattern of buckling loads. But the critical
buckling load was higher for graphite-epoxy composite.
7. The critical buckling temperature are higher for Graphite-epoxy and a large
variation is observed under various boundary conditions where as very narrow
difference is observed in case of Glass-epoxy.
8. Under thermal loads, the plate with 2 opposite edges free buckles at higher
loads than with 2 opposite edges clamped.

REFERENCES
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Composite Buckling in Ansys Apdl

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Buckling Analysis of Laminated Composite Plates 2015

1.1 Buckling of structures

When a structure (subjected usually to compression) undergoes visibly large

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 1

Neutral equilibrium: It is a theoretical possibility during buckling - this is characterized

1.2 Types of buckling

1.2.1 Buckling of thin-walled structures

1.2.2 Plate and thin shell buckling

1.2.3 Torsional buckling

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 2

1.2.4 Flexural torsional buckling

1.2.5 Lateral buckling

1.3 Plate buckling

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 3

1.4 Composite Materials

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 4

enables finished product characteristics to be tailored to almost any specific

a) Metal Matrix Composites

b) Ceramic matrix Composites

c) Polymer Matrix Composites

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 5

Composite materials are classified into:

a) Fiber reinforced Composites

Figure 1.1 Types of composite materials

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 6

1.4.1 Fibre Reinforced Composites

In fibrous composites, Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP) composites are in greatest

FRP composites are composed of:

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 7

1.4.2 Advantages and limitations of FRP:

Low ductility value and fickly plastic behaviour

FRP's can be used in the concrete structures in following forms:

Plates- at the face to improve the tension capacity.

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 8

1.5 Glass/Graphite Fibers

1.6 Numerical Methods

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 9

Finite Difference Method

1.6.1 Finite Element Method

The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical technique to find approximate

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 10

1.7 Concept of Finite Element Analysis

1.7.1 Advantages of FEA

1.7.2 Disadvantages of FEA

1.7.3 Limitations of FEA

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 11

Lists of nodal displacements.

Stress contour diagrams.

1.9 SHELL181 Element

SHELL181 is suitable for analyzing thin to moderately-thick shell structures. It is a 4-

Figure 1.2 Geometry of SHELL 181 Element

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 13

2.1 Historical developments of Plate theory

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 14

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 15

2.2 Work on buckling analysis

Leissa gave a summary of the buckling and post-buckling studies of composite

Nemeth, (1997) investigated buckling analysis of infinitely long symmetrically

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 17

Hu et al, (2003) examined the buckling behaviour of a graphite/epoxy symmetrically

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE 18

The earliest studies to examine behaviour effect of thermal loading on buckling of

Pandey et al, (2006) presented buckling and post-buckling response of moderately