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10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Mark E. Tuttle
Mark E. Tuttle
ix
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction
1. Basic Denitions
2. Polymeric Materials
3. Fibrous Materials
4. Commercially Available Forms
5. Manufacturing Processes
6. The Scope of This Book
References
3. Material Properties
1. Anisotropic vs. Isotropic Materials
2. Material Properties That Relate Stress to Strain
3. Material Properties Relating Temperature to
Strain
4. Material Properties Relating Moisture Content to
Strain
5. Material Properties Relating Stress (or Strain) to
Failure
6. Predicting Elastic Composite Properties Based on
Constituents: The Rule of Mixtures
Homework Problems
References
8. Composite Beams
1. Preliminary Discussion
2. Comparing Classical Lamination Theory to
Isotropic Beam Theory
3. Types of Composite Beams Considered
4. Eective Axial Rigidity of Rectangular Composite
Beams
5. Eective Flexural Rigidities of Rectangular
Composite Beams
6. Eective Axial and Flexural Rigidities for
Thin-Walled Composite Beams
7. Statically Determinate and Indeterminate
Axially Loaded Composite Beams
8. Statically Determinate and Indeterminate
Transversely Loaded Composite Beams
9. Computer Program BEAM
Homework Problems
References
Appendixes
A. Finding the Cube-Root of a Complex Number
B. Experimental Methods Used to Measure In-Plane Properties
E11, E22, r12, and G12
C. Tables of Beam Deections and Slopes
1 BASIC DEFINITIONS
This textbook is devoted to a special class of structural materials often called
advanced composites. Just what is a composite material? A casual de-
nition might be: A composite material is one in which two (or more) mate-
rials are bonded together to form a third material. Although not incorrect,
upon further reection, it becomes clear that this denition is far too broad
because it implies that essentially all materials can be considered as compo-
sites. For example, the (nominal) composition of the 2024 aluminum alloy is
93.5% Al, 4.4% Cu, 0.6% Mn, and 1.5% Mg [1]. Hence, according to the
broad denition stated above, this common aluminum alloy could be consid-
ered as a composite because it consists of four materials (aluminum, cop-
per, manganese, and magnesium) bonded together at the atomic level to form
the 2024 alloy. In a similar sense, virtually all metal alloys, polymers, and
2 POLYMERIC MATERIALS
A brief introduction to polymeric materials is provided in this section. This
introduction is necessarily incomplete. The reader interested in a more de-
tailed discussion is referred to the many available texts and/or web-based
resources devoted to modern polymers (e.g., see Refs. 14).
indicate a double covalent bond,* whereas the single line between the hydro-
gen (H) and carbon atoms represents a single covalent bond. The chemical
composition of the ethylene mer is sometimes written as C2H4 or CH2jCH2.
Under proper conditions, the double covalent bond between the two
carbon atoms can be converted to a single covalent bond, which allows each
of the two carbon atoms to form a new covalent bond with a suitable neigh-
boring atom. A suitable neighboring atom would be a carbon atom in a
neighboring ethylene mer, for example. If n ethylene mers join together
in this way, the chemical composition of the resulting molecule can be
represented C2nH4n, where n is any positive integer. Hence, a chain of
ethylene mers joins together to form the well-known polymer, polyethylene
(literally, many ethylenes), as shown in Fig. 3. The process of causing
a monomer to chemically react and form a long molecule in this fashion is
called polymerization.
The single ethylene unit is an example of a monomer (one mer). At
room temperature, a bulk sample of the ethylene monomer is a low-viscosity
uid. If two ethylene monomers bond together, the resulting chemical entity
has two repeating units and is called a dimer. Similarly, the chemical entity
formed by three repeating units is called a trimer. The molecular weight of a
dimer is twice that of the monomer, the molecular weight of a trimer is three
times that of the monomer, etc. Prior to polymerization, most polymeric
materials exist as relatively low-viscosity uids known as oligomers (a few
mers). The individual molecules within an oligomer possess a range of
molecular weights, typically containing perhaps 220 mers.
It should be clear from the above discussion that a specic molecular
weight cannot be assigned to a polymer. Rather, the molecules within a bulk
sample of a polymer are of diering lengths and hence exhibit a range in
molecular weight. The average molecular weight of a bulk sample of a polymer
is increased as the polymerization process is initiated and progresses. Another
* As fully described in an introductory chemistry text, a covalent bond is formed when two
atoms share an electron pair, so as to ll an incompletely lled valence level.
dramatically slowed) and the polymer will exist in an intermediate stage. The
thermoset resin is said to be B-staged when in this form. If the polymerization
process is allowed to resume (say, by reheating) and continue until the
maximum possible molecular weight has been reached, the thermoset is said
to be C-staged (i.e., the polymer is fully polymerized).
Suppliers of composites based on thermoset polymers initially B-stage
their product and sell it to their customers in this form. This requires that the
B-staged composite be stored by the customer for months at low temperatures
(typically at temperatures below about 15jC or 0jF). Refrigeration is
required so that the thermosetting resin does not polymerize beyond the B-
stage during storage. The polymerization process is reinitiated and completed
(i.e., the composite is C-staged) during the nal fabrication of a composite
part, typically through the application of heat and pressure. Most commer-
cially available thermoset composites are C-staged (or cured) at a temper-
ature of either 120jC or 175jC.
In contrast, composites based on thermoplastic polymers do not require
refrigeration. In this case, the matrix is fully polymerized when delivered to
the customer, and may be stored for months or years without degradation.
Heat and pressure are applied during the nal fabrication of a thermoplastic
composite part, but no chemical reaction occurs. That is, heat is applied
3 FIBROUS MATERIALS
Reinforcing bers are the major strengthening element in all polymeric
composites. A brief introduction to these materials is presented in this section.
The reader interested in additional details is referred to Refs. 5 and 6.
Common continuous ber materials are:
Glass
Aramid
Graphite or carbon
Polyethylene
Boron
Silicon carbide.
In all cases, the ber diameters are quite small, ranging from about 5 to
12 Am for glass, aramid, or graphite bers; from about 25 to 40 Am for
polyethylene bers; and from about 100 to 200 Am for boron and silicon
carbide bers.
Some of the terminologies used to describe bers will be dened here.
The terms ber and lament are used interchangeably. An end (also called a
strand) is a collection of a given number of bers gathered together. If the
bers are twisted, the collection of bers is called a yarn. The ends are
themselves gathered together to form a tow (also called roving). The bers are
usually coated with a size (also called a nish). The size is applied for several
reasons, such as:
To bind the bers in the strand
To lubricate the bers during fabrication
To serve as a coupling and wetting agent to insure a satisfactory
adhesive bond between the ber and matrix materials.
There may be thousands of laments in a single tow and, in fact, tow
sizes are often described in terms of thousands of laments per tow. For
example, a 6k tow implies that the tow consists of 6000 individual bers.
Properties of several types of glass bers, organic bers, carbon bers,
and silicon carbide bers will be briey described in the following subsec-
tions. It will be seen that:
Youngs modulus (stiness) ranges from about 70 GPa for glass
bers to 700 GPa (or higher) for carbon bers.
Table 3 Typical Properties of Kevlar Fibers (All Properties in Axial Direction of Fiber)
Fibers that do not satisfy all of the above conditions are called carbon
bers under this standard. However, as stated above, in practice, this de-
nition is not widely followed, and the terms graphite and carbon are
often used interchangeably.
Both graphite and carbon bers are produced by thermal decomposi-
tion of an organic (i.e., polymeric) ber or precursor at high pressures and
temperatures. The three most common precursors are:
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)
Pitch (a by-product produced during the petroleum distillation
process)
Rayon.
over three successive ll tows and then under one ll tow. In the ve-harness
satin weave, one warp tow passes over four ll tows and then under one ll
tow. Similarly, in an eight-harness satin weave, one warp tow passes over seven
ll tows and then under one ll tow.
The stiness and strength of woven fabrics are typically less than that
achieved with unidirectional bers. This decrease is due to ber waviness.
which ultimately helps ensure good adhesion between the bers and polymer
matrix in the cured composite. Products produced in this fashion are
commonly known as prepreg tape (Fig. 11b). Prepreg tape is available
in width ranging from about 75 to 1220 mm (348 in.). Prepreg fabrics,
produced using either woven or braided fabrics instead of unidirectional
tows, are produced using similar techniques and are also available in widths
ranging from about 75 to 1220 mm.
A variety of fabrication methods have been developed based on the
use of prepreg materials. A few such techniques will be described in Sec. 5.
The rst commercially successful prepreg materials were based on B-
staged epoxy resins. As discussed in Sec. 2, in the B-staged condition, a
thermoset resin has been partially polymerized, resulting in relatively high
viscosity, which aids in handling B-staged prepreg materials. However, pre-
preg must be kept at low temperatures until used, otherwise the resin con-
tinues to polymerize and slowly harden. This required that the prepreg be
shipped to the user in a refrigerated condition (for small amounts, this is
5 MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
Fiber-reinforced composites may be produced using metallic, ceramic, or
polymeric matrices. However, polymeric composites are the primary focus
of this book, and so techniques used to fabricate metal or ceramic composite
structures will not be discussed. Even with this limitation, a complete review
of the many dierent manufacturing processes used to produce polymeric
composite materials and structures is beyond the scope of this presentation.
Instead, only the most common manufacturing techniques will be described.
5.1 Layup
Many composites are produced using the tapes or fabrics discussed in Sec. 4.1.
These may be unidirectional tape, woven fabrics, or braided fabrics. These
products are all relatively thin. Layup simply refers to the process of
stacking several layers together, much like a deck of cards. Stacking several
layers together produces a laminate of signicant thickness. The most direct
method of producing a multi-ply composite laminate is to simply stack the
desired number of layers of fabric by hand, referred to as hand layup. The
layers may consist of either dry fabrics (i.e., fabrics that have not yet been
wound onto a mandrel, forming a Fhj fiber pattern. (b) Eventually the mandrel is
completely enclosed by one or more Fhj plies. (c) One or more 90j (hoop) plies
are often added to the cylindrical region to resist the high hoop stresses induced
in cylindrical pressure vessels. (Photos provided courtesy of Entec Composite
Machines Inc., Salt Lake City, UT.)
5.4 Pultrusion
Pultrusion is a fabrication process in which continuous tows or fabrics
impregnated with resin are pulled through a forming die, as shown schemati-
cally in Fig. 16 [10]. If dry tow or fabric is used, then the tow/fabric must
* The denition of various material properties of interest to the structural engineer, such as
Youngs modulus, will be reviewed and discussed in greater detail in Chap. 3.
Figure 1 A force vector F acting at point P. Force components Fx, Fy, and Fz
acting parallel to the xyz coordinate axes, respectively, are also shown.
iV cx Vx i cxVy j cx Vz k 7
Since i V is a unit vector, then in accordance with Eq. (2):
cx Vx 2 cxVy 2 cxVz 2 1 8
To this point, we have referred to a force as a vector. A force vector can
also be called a force tensor. The term tensor refers to any quantity that
transforms in a physically meaningful way from one Cartesian coordinate
system to another. The rank of a tensor equals the number of subscripts that
must be used to describe the tensor. A force can be described using a single
IyW cyWxV IxV cyWyV IyV cyWzV IzV 0cos h cos bsin h sin b0
IyW cos b sin h
IzW czWxV IxV czWyV IyV czWzV IzV 0cos h sin bsin h cosb0
IzW sin b sin h
Therefore, in the nal xUyUzU coordinate system, the vector I is written as:
Recall that in the original xyz coordinate system, I is simply a unit vector
aligned with the original x-axis: I u (1). Therefore result (a) denes the
direction cosines associated with the angle between the original x-axis and
the nal xU-, yU-, and zU-axes. That is:
cxWx cosine angle between xU- and x-axes cos h
cyWx cosine angle between yU- and x-axes cos b sin h
czWx cosine angle between zU- and x-axes sin b sin h
A similar procedure is used to rotate the unit vectors J and K from the
intermediate xVyVzV coordinate system to the nal xUyUzU coordinate system.
These rotations result in:
Part (b). Since the direction cosines have been determined, transformation
of force vector F can be accomplished using any version of Eqs. (6a)(6c). For
example, using matrix notation, Eq. (6c):
8 9 2 38 9
< FxW = cxWx cxWy cxWz < Fx =
F W 4 cyWx cyWy cyWz 5 Fy
: y ; : ;
FzW czWx czWy czWz Fz
2 38 9
cos h sin h 0 < Fx =
4 cos b sin h cos b cos h sin b 5 Fy
: ;
sin b sin h sin b cos h cos b Fz
8 9 8 9
< FxW = < cos hFx sin hFy =
FyW cos b sin hFx cos b cos hFy sin bFz
: ; : ;
FzW sin b sin hFx sin b cos hFy cos bFz
Part (c). Using the specied numerical values and the results of Part (b):
8 9 8 9
< FxW = < cos 20B 1000 N sin 20B 200 N =
FyW cos 60B sin 20B 1000 N cos 60B cos 20B 200 N sin 60B 600 N
: ; : ;
FzW sin 60B sin 20B 1000 N sin 60B cos 20B 200 N cos 60B 600 N
8 9 8 9
< FxW = < 1008 N =
F W 442:6 N
: y ; : ;
FzW 433:4 N
Using vector notation, F can now be expressed in the two dierent coordi-
nate systems as:
Figure 3 Force vector F drawn in the xyz and xWyWzW coordinate systems.
The magnitude of the force vector in the xUyUzU coordinate system is:
q q
2 2
jF j FxW FyW FzW 1008 N2 442:6 N2 433:4 N2
2
1183N agrees
4 DEFINITION OF STRESS
There are two fundamental types of stress: normal stress and shear stress.
Both types of stress are dened as a force divided by the area over which
it acts.
A general 3-D solid body subjected to a system of external forces is
shown in Fig. 6(a). It is assumed that the body is in static equilibrium, that
is, it is assumed that the sum of all external forces is zero, SF i = 0. These
external forces induce internal forces acting within the body. In general,
the internal forces will vary in both magnitude and direction throughout the
body. An illustration of the variation of internal forces along a line within
an internal plane is shown in Fig. 6(b). A small area (DA) isolated from this
plane is shown in Fig. 6(c). Area DA is assumed to be innitesimally small.
That is, the area DA is small enough such that the internal forces acting over
DA can be assumed to be of constant magnitude and direction. Therefore,
the internal forces acting over DA can be represented by a force vector which
can be decomposed into a normal force, N, and a shear force, V, as shown
in Fig. 6(c).
Normal stress (usually denoted r) and shear stress (usually denoted s)
are dened as the force per unit area acting perpendicular and tangent to the
area DA, respectively. That is,
N V
r u lim s u lim 9
DA!0 DA DA!0 DA
Note that by denition, the area DA shrinks to zero: DA!0. Stresses r and s
are therefore said to exist at a point. Also, since internal forces generally
vary from point-to-point (as shown in Fig. 6), stresses also vary from point-
to-point.
Stress has units of force per unit area. In SI units, stress is reported in
terms of Pascals (abbreviated Pa), where 1 Pa=1 N/m2. In English units,
stress is reported in terms of pounds-force per square inch (abbreviated psi),
Nzz Vzx Vzy
rzz lim szx lim szy lim
dx;dy!0 dxdy dx;dy!0 dxdy dx;dy!0 dxdy
Having identied the positive and negative faces of the element, a stress
component is positive if:
The stress component acts on a positive face and points in a positive
coordinate direction, or if
The stress component acts on a negative face and points in a negative
coordinate direction
otherwise, the stress component is negative.
This convention can be used to conrm that all stress components
shown in Fig. 8 are algebraically positive. For example, to determine the
algebraic sign of the normal stress rxx which acts on face ABCD in Fig. 8, note
that (a) face ABCD is positive and (b) the normal stress rxx which acts on this
To express the state of stress using indicial notation, we must rst make
the following change in notation:
sxy ! rxy
sxz ! rxz
syx ! ryx
syz ! ryz
szx ! rzx
szy ! rzy
With this change, the matrix on the left side of the equality sign in Eq. (10)
becomes:
2 3 2 3
rxx sxy sxz rxx rxy rxz
4 syx ryy syz 5 ! 4 rxy ryy ryz 5
szx szy rzz rxz ryz rzz
rij ; i; j x; y; or z 11
In Sec. 1, it was noted that a force vector is a rst-order tensor since only
one subscript is required to describe a force tensor, Fi. From Eq. (11), it is clear
that stress is a second-order tensor (or equivalently, a tensor of rank two) since
two subscripts are required to describe a state of stress.
Example Problem 2
Given. The stress element referenced to an xyz coordinate system and
subject to the stress components shown in Fig. 9.
ri V j V ci V j rij ci V j T
As discussed in Sec. 2, the terms ciVj which appear in Eqs. (12a) and (12b)
are direction cosines and equal the cosine of the angle between the axes of the
xyz and xVyVzV coordinate systems. Recall that the algebraic sign of an
angle of rotation is dened in accordance with the right-hand rule and that
angles are dened from the xyz coordinate system to xVyVzV coordinate
system. Equations (12a) and (12b) are called the transformation law for a
second-order tensor.
If an analysis is being performed with the aid of a digital computer,
which nowadays is almost always the case, then matrix notation [Eq. (12b)]
most likely will be used to transform a stress tensor from one coordinate
system to another. Conversely, if a stress transformation is to be accom-
plished using hand calculations, then indicial notation [Eq. (12a)] may be the
preferred choice. To apply Eq. (12a), desired values are rst specied for
subscripts iV and jV, and then the terms on the right side of the equality are
summed over the entire range of the remaining two subscripts, k and l. For
example, suppose we wish to write the relationship between rxVzV and the stress
components in the xyz coordinate system in expanded form. We rst
specify that iV=xV and jV=zV, and Eq. (12a) becomes:
cxV y czV y ryy cxV y czV z ryz cxV z czV x rzx cxV z czV y rzy
Third stress invariant W rxx ryy rzz rxx r2yz ryy r2xz
Solution
Part (a). General expressions for direction cosines relating the xyz and
xUyUzU coordinate systems were determined as a part of Example Problem 1.
The direction cosines were found to be:
cxWx cos h
cxWy sin h
cxWz 0
cyWx cos b sin h
cyWy cos b cos h
cyWz sin b
czWx sin b sin h
czWy sin b cos h
czWz cos b
Since in this problem h=20j and b=35j, the numerical values of the direc-
tion cosines are:
cxWx cos 20B 0:9397
cxWy sin 20B 0:3420
cxWz 0
cyWx cos 35B sin 20B 0:2802
cyWy cos 35B cos 20B 0:7698
cyWz sin 35B 0:5736
czWx sin 35B sin 20B 0:1962
czWy sin 35B cos 20B 0:5390
czWz cos 35B 0:8192
Each component of the transformed stress tensor is now found through the
application of either Eq. (12a) or Eq. (12b). For example, if indicial notation
is used, stress component rxUzU can be found using Eq. (13):
rxWzW cxWx czWx rxx cxWx czWy rxy cxWx czWz rxz
cxWy czWx ryx cxWy czWy ryy cxWy czWz ryz
cxWz czWx rzx cxWz czWy rzy cxWz czWz rzz
U 350ksi2
xUyUzU coordinate system:
1
U r W Wr W W ri Wj Wri Wj W
2 ii jj
U rxWxWryWyW rxWxWrzWzW ryWyWrzWzW r2xWyW r2xWzW r2yWzW
U 350ksi2
As expected, the second stress invariant is independent of the coordinate
system.
Third stress invariant:
2101530 ksi3
W 65375ksi3
xUyUzU coordinate system:
1
W ri Wi Wrj Wj WrkWkW 3ri Wi Wrj WkWrj WkW 2ri Wj Wrj WkWrkWi W
6
W rxWxWryWyWrzWzW rxWxWr2yWzW ryWyWr2xWzW rzWzWr2xWyW 2rxWyWrxWzWryWzW
10:60 ksi3
W 65375ksi3
As expected, the third stress invariant is independent of the coordinate
system.
7 PRINCIPAL STRESSES
The denition of a stress tensor was reviewed in Sec. 5, and transformation of
a stress tensor from one coordinate system to another was discussed in Sec. 6.
It can be shown (1,2) that it is always possible to rotate the stress tensor to a
special coordinate system in which no shear stresses exist. This coordinate
system is called the principal stress coordinate system, and the normal stresses
Example Problem 4
Given. A state of stress referenced to an xyz coordinate is known to be:
2 3 2 3
rxx rxy rxz 50 10 15
4 ryx ryy ryz 5 4 10 25 30 5 ksi
rzx rzy rzz 15 30 5
Problem. Find (a) the principal stresses and (b) the direction cosines that
dene the principal stress coordinate system.
Solution. This is the same stress tensor considered in Example Problem 3. As
a part of that problem, the rst, second, and third stress invariants were found
to be:
H=70 ksi
U=350 (ksi)2
W=65375 (ksi)3
Part (a). Determining the principal stresses. In accordance with Eq. (17),
the three principal stresses are the roots of the following cubic equation:
8 PLANE STRESS
A stress tensor is dened by six components of stress: three normal stress
components and three shear stress components. Now, in practice, a state of
stress often encountered is one in which all stress components in one co-
ordinate direction are zero. For example, suppose rzz=sxz=syz=0, as
Note that when a plane stress state is described, stress appears to be a rst-
order tensor since (apparently) only three components of stress (rxx, ryy,
andsxy) need be specied in order to describe the state of stress. This is, of
course, not the case. Stress is a second-order tensor in all instances, and six
components of stress must always be specied in order to dene a state of
stress. When we invoke the plane stress assumption, we have simply assumed
a priori that three stress components (rzz, sxz, and syz) are zero.
Recall that either Eq. (12a) or Eq. (12b) governs the transformation of a
stress tensor from one coordinate system to another. Equation (12b) is
repeated here for convenience:
2 3 2 32 3
rxV xV rxV yV rxV zV c xV x c xV y c xV z rxx rxy rxz
6r V V r V V r V V 7 6c V cyV y cyV z 7 6 7
4 yx yy yz 5 4 yx 54 ryx ryy ryz 5
rzV xV rzV yV rzV zV czV x czV y czV z rzx rzy rzz
2 3
cxV x cyV x czV x
6c V c V c V 7
4 xy yy z y 5repeated 12b
cxV z cyV z czV z
When transformation of a plane stress tensor is considered, it will be
assumed that the xVyVzV coordinate system is generated from the xyz
r3 Hr2 Ur 0 23
Obviously, one root of Eq. (23) is r=0. This root corresponds to rzz
and for present purposes will be labeled rp3 although it may not be the alge-
braically least principal stress. Thus, in the case of plane stress, the z-axis is a
principal stress direction and rzz=rp3=0 is one of the three principal
stresses. Since the three principal stress directions are orthogonal, this im-
plies that the remaining two principal stress directions must lie within the
xy plane.
r2 Hr U 0 24
The two roots of this quadratic equation (that is, the two remaining princi-
pal stresses, rp1 and rp2) may be found by application of the standard ap-
proach (3) and are given by:
1h p i
rp1 ; rp2 HF H2 4U 25
2
Substituting Eq. (22) into Eq. (25) and simplifying yields the following:
r
r r 2
rxx ryy xx yy
rp1 ; rp2 F sxy 2 26
2 2
The angle hp between the x-axis and either the p1 or p2 axis is given by:
1 2sxy
hp arctan 27
2 rxx ryy
Example Problem 5
Given. The plane stress element shown in Fig. 15(a).
Problem. (a) Rotate the stress element to a new coordinate system oriented
25j clockwise from the x-axis, and redraw the stress element with all stress
components properly oriented; (b) determine the principal stresses and
principal stress coordinate system, and redraw the stress element with the
principal stress components properly oriented.
Solution
Part (a). The following components of stress are implied by the stress
element shown (note that the shear stress is algebraically negative, in ac-
cordance with the sign convention discussed in Sec. 5):
rxx 70 MPa
ryy 15 MPa
sxy 50 MPa
The stress element is to be rotated clockwise. That is, the +xV-axis is rotated
away from the +y-axis. Applying the right-hand rule, it is clear that this is a
negative rotation:
h 25B
8 9 2 38 9 8 9
> 0:8214 0:1786 0:7660 > 70 > > 98:5 >
< rxV xV >
= 6 7
>
< >
= >
< >
=
ryV yV 6 4 0:1786 0:8214 7
0:7660 5 15 13:5 MPa
>
: >
; >
> >
> > >
sxV yV : ; > : >
;
0:3830 0:3830 0:6428 50 11:1
The orientation of the principal stress coordinate system is given by Eq. (27):
1 250
hp arctan 31B
2 70 15
The stress element is shown in the principal stress coordinate system in Fig.
15(c).
9 DEFINITION OF STRAIN
All materials deform to some extent when subjected to external forces and/or
environmental changes. In essence, the state of strain is a measure of the
magnitude and orientation of the deformations induced by these eects. As
in the case of stress, there are two types of strain: normal strain and shear
strain.
The two types of strain can be visualized using the strain element
shown in Fig. 16. Imagine that a perfect square has been physically drawn
on a surface of interest. Initially, angle BABC is exactly p2 radians (i.e.,
initially BABC=90j) and sides AB and BC are of exactly equal lengths.
Now suppose that some mechanism(s) causes the surface to deform. The
mechanism(s) which causes the surface to deform need not be dened at
this point, but might be external loading (i.e., stresses), a change in tem-
perature, and/or (in the case of polymeric-based materials such as compo-
sites) the adsorption or desorption of water molecules. In any event, since
the surface is deformed, the initially square element drawn on the surface is
deformed as well. As shown in Fig. 16, point A moves to point AV and point
C moves to point CV. It is assumed that the element remains a parallelogram,
i.e., it is assumed that sides AVB and CVB remain straight lines after
deformation. This assumption is valid if the element is innitesimally small.
In the present context, innitesimally small implies that lengths AB and
CB are small enough such that the deformed element may be treated as a
parallelogram.
Normal strain exx is dened as the change in length of AB divided by the
original length of AB:
DAB
exx 28
AB
The change in length AB is given by:
DAB AVB AB
From the gure, it can be seen that the projection of length AVB in the x-
direction, that is, length AUB, is given by:
AWB AVBcosBAVBA 29
* The reader is encouraged to personally verify the small-angle approximation. For example,
use a calculator to demonstrate that an angle of 5j equals 0.08727 rad, and that sin(0.08727
rad)=0.08716, tan(0.08727 rad)=0.08749, and cos(0.08727 rad)=0.99619. Therefore, in this
example, the small angle approximation results in a maximum error of less than 1%.
Alternatively, the strain tensor can be succinctly written using indicial nota-
tion as:
eij ; i; j x; y; or z 35
Note that if engineering shear strain is used, then Eq. (34) becomes
2 3 2 3
exx exy exz exx cxy =2 cxz =2
6 7 6 cyz =2 7
4 exy eyy eyz 5 4 cxy =2 eyy 5
exz eyz ezz cxx =2 cyz =2 ezz
If engineering shear strain is used, the strain tensor cannot be written using
indicial notation [as in Eq. (35)] due to the 1/2 factor that appears in all o-
diagonal positions.
In Sec. 1, it was noted that a force vector is a rst-order tensor since
only one subscript is required to describe a force tensor, Fi. The fact that
strain is a second-order tensor is evident from Eq. (35) since two subscripts
are necessary to describe a state of strain.
ei V j V ci V j eij ci V j T
The terms ci Vj which appear in Eqs. (36a) and (36b) are direction cosines
and equal the cosine of the angle between the axes of the xVyVzV and xyz
coordinate systems.
As was the case for the stress tensor, there are certain features of the
strain tensor that do not vary when the tensor is transformed from one co-
ordinate system to another. These features are called the strain invariants.
Three independent strain invariants exist and are dened as follows:
Third strain invariant We exx eyy ezz exx e2yz eyy e2xz
(a) Rotate the strain tensor to the xUyUzU coordinate system and
(b) Calculate the rst, second, and third invariants of the strain tensor
using both elements of the strain tensor referenced to the xyz
coordinate system, eij, and elements of the strain tensor referenced
to the xUyUzU coordinate system, ei Uj U.
Solution
Part (a). General expressions for direction cosines relating the xyz and
xUyUzU coordinate systems were determined as a part of Example Problem 1.
Further, numerical values for the particular rotation h=20j and b=35j were
determined in Example Problem 3 and were found to be:
ex Ux U 0:93970:93971000 0:93970:3420500
0:93970250 0:34200:9397500
0:34200:34201500 0:34200750
00:9397250 00:3420750
002000
ex Ux U 1380 lm=m
Alternatively, if matrix notation is used, then Eq. (36b) becomes:
2 3 2 3
exUxU exUyU exUzU 0:9397 0:3420 0
6 7 6 7
4 eyUxU eyUyU eyUzU 5 4 0:2802 0:7698 0:5736 5
ezUxU ezUyU ezUzU 0:1962 0:5390 0:8192
2 3
1000 500 250
6 7
4 500 1500 750 5
250 750 2000
2 3
0:9397 0:2802 0:1962
6 7
4 0:3420 0:7698 0:5390 5
0 0:5736 0:8192
Completing the matrix multiplication indicated, there results:
2 3 2 3
exUxU exUyU exUzU 1380 Am=m 727 Arad 91 Arad
6 7 6 7
4 eyUxU eyUyU eyUzU 5 4 727 Arad 1991 Am=m 625 Arad 5
ezUxU ezUyU ezUzU 91 Arad 625 Arad 1129 Am=m
Notice that the value of exUxU determined through matrix multiplication is
identical to that obtained using indicial notation, as expected.
12 PRINCIPAL STRAINS
The denition of the strain tensor was reviewed in Sec. 10, and transfor-
mation of the strain tensor from one coordinate system to another was
discussed in Sec. 11. It can be shown (1,2) that it is always possible to rotate
the strain tensor to a special coordinate system in which no shear strains
exist. This coordinate system is called the principal strain coordinate system,
and the normal strains that exist in this coordinate system are called principal
strains. In most texts, the principal strains are denoted e1, e2, and e3.
However, as will be discussed later (see Fig. 2 in Chap. 3), in this text, the
axis labels 1, 2, and 3 will be used to refer to the principal material
coordinate system rather than the directions of principal strain. Therefore,
where He, Ue, and We are the rst, second, and third strain invariants,
respectively, and have been previously listed as Eqs. (37a)(37c) and (38a)
(38c). The three roots of the cubic equation (that is, the three principal
strains) may be found by application of the standard approach (3), as
follows:
Dene:
1
a 3Ue H2e
3
1 3
b 2He 9He Ue 27We
27
s
r
3 b b2 a3
A
2 4 27
s
r
3 b b2 a 3
B
2 4 27
By convention, the principal strains are numbered such that ep1 is the
algebraically greatest principal strain, whereas ep3 is the algebraically least.
That is, ep1>ep2>ep3.
It is appropriate to note that many handheld calculators and computer
software packages now feature standard routines to nd the roots of nth-
order polynomials. Hence, the roots of Eq. (40) may often be found more
conveniently using these standard routines, rather than Eq. (41). The cal-
culation of constants A and B that appear in Eq. (41) often involves nding
the cube root of a complex number. The need to nd the cube root of a
complex number is encountered infrequently, and hence the reader may not
be aware of how to make such a calculation. For convenience, a process that
may be used to nd the cube root of a complex number has been included
in Appendix A.
Once the principal strains are determined, the three sets of direction
cosines (which dene the principal coordinate directions) are found by
substituting the three principal strains given by Eq. (41) into Eqs. (39a)
(39c) in turn. Since only two of Eqs. (39a)(39c) are independent, Eq. (8) is
used as a third independent equation involving the three unknown constants,
cpnx, cpny, and cpnz.
The process of nding principal strains and direction cosines will be
demonstrated in the following example problem.
Example Problem 8
Given. A state of strain referenced to an xyz coordinate is known to be:
2 3 2 3
exx exy exz 1000 Am=m 500 Arad 250 Arad
6 7 6 7
4 eyx eyy eyz 5 4 500 Arad 1500 Am=m 750 Arad 5
ezx ezy ezz 250 Arad 750 Arad 2000 Am=m
Problem. Find (a) the principal strains and (b) the direction cosines that
dene the principal strain coordinate system.
Note that ezz does not appear in the column array. This is not of concern in the
case of plane strain since, in this case, ezz=0. However, in the case of plane
stress, it is important to remember that (in general) ezz p 0. Although in the
following chapters we will be primarily interested in strains induced within
the xy plane, the reader is advised to remember that an out-of-plane strain
ezz is also induced by a state of plane stress.
The transformation of a general 3-D strain tensor has already been
discussed in Sec. 11. The relations presented there will now be simplied for
the case of transformation of strains within a plane.
Recall that either Eq. (36a) or Eq. (36b) governs the transformation of
a strain tensor from one coordinate system to another. Equation (36b) is
repeated here for convenience:
2 3 2 32 3
e xV xV e xV y V e xV z V c xV x c xV y c xV z exx exy exz
6e V V e V V e V V 7 6c V cyV y cyV z 7 6 7
4 yx yy yz 5 4 yx 54 eyx eyy eyz 5
e z V xV e z V y V e z V z V czV x czV y czV z ezx ezy ezz
2 3
c xV x c y V x c z V x
6 7
4 cxV y cyV y czV y 5 repeated36b
c xV z c y V z c z V z
Assuming that the xVyVzV coordinate system is generated from the xyz
system by a rotation h about the z-axis, the direction cosines are:
cxV x cos h
cxV y cos 90B h sin h
cxV z cos 90B 0
ezV zV ezz
Tensoral shear strains were used in Eqs. (36a) and (36b) for mathemat-
ical convenience; that is, tensoral shear strains have been used so that rotation
of the strain tensor could be accomplished using the normal transformation
law for a second-order tensor. Since engineering shear strains are far more
commonly used in practice, we will now convert our nal results, Eq. (42), to
ones which involve engineering shear strain (cxy). Recall from Sec. 9 that
Problem. (a) Prepare a rough sketch (not to scale) of the deformed strain
element in the xy coordinate system; (b) determine the strain components
which correspond to an xVyV coordinate system, oriented 25j CCW from the
xy coordinate system, and prepare a rough sketch (not to scale) of the
deformed strain element in the xVyV coordinate system; and (c) determine
the principal strain components that exist within the xy plane, and prepare
a rough sketch (not to scale) of the deformed strain element in the principal
strain coordinate system.
Solution
Part (a). A sketch showing the deformed strain element (not to scale) in the
xy coordinate system is shown in Fig. 19(a). Note that:
The length of the element side parallel to the x-axis has increased
(corresponding to the tensile strain exx=500 Am/m).
The length of the element side parallel to the y-axis has decreased (cor-
responding to the compressive strain eyy=1000 Am/m).
8 9
>
> 500 > >
>
< >
=
1000
>
> 2500 > >
>
: >
;
2
A sketch showing the deformed strain element (not to scale) in the xVyV
coordinate system is shown in Fig. 19(b). Note that:
The length of the element side parallel to the xV-axis has decreased
(corresponding to the compressive strain exVxV=725 Am/m).
The length of the element side parallel to the yV-axis has increased (cor-
responding to the tensile strain eyVyV=225 Am/m).
The angle dened by the xVyV axes has increased (corresponding to the
negative shear strain cxVyV=2756 Arad).
Part (c). The principal strains are found through application of Eq. (47):
s
500 1000 500 1000 2 2500 2
ep1 ; ep2 F
2 2 2
ep1 1208 Am=m
ep2 1708 Am=m
The orientation of the principal strain coordinate system is given by Eq. (48):
1 2500
hpe arctan 29:5B
2 500 1000
The expressions listed above dene what is known as Greens strain tensor
(also known as the Lagrangian strain tensor).
In most cases encountered in practice, however, displacement gradients
are very small, and consequently the products of displacement gradients
are negligibly small and can be discarded. For example, it can usually be
assumed that:
2 2 2
Bu Bv Bw Bu Bu
c0 c0 c0 c0; etc:
Bx Bx Bx Bx By
When displacement gradients are very small, the level of strain is said to be
innitesimal, and each component of the strain tensor is linearly related to
displacement gradients as follows:
Bu
exx 49a
Bx
Bv
eyy 49b
By
Bw
ezz 49c
Bz
Bv Bu
cxy 49d
Bx By
B3 u B2 exx
BxByBz ByBz
B3 u B2 cxy B3 v
2
BxByBz BxBz Bx Bz
B3 u B2 cxz B3 w
2
BxByBz BxBy Bx By
B3 w B3 v B2 cyz
Bx2 By Bx2 Bz Bx2
HOMEWORK PROBLEMS
In the following problems, the phrase solve by hand means that numerical
solutions should be obtained using a pencil, paper, and nonprogrammable
calculator. Solutions obtained by hand will then be compared to numerical
results returned by appropriate computer programs. This process will insure
understanding of the mathematical processes involved.
Show that the xVVVyVVVzVVV and xyz coordinate systems are related by
the following direction cosines:
2 3
cxVVV x cxVVV y cxVVV z
4 cyVVV x cyVVV y cyVVV z 5
czVVV x czVVV y czVVV z
2 3
cos w cos h sin w sin b sin h cos w sinh sin w sin b cos h sin w cos b
4 cos b sin h cos b cos h sin b 5
sin w cos h cos w sin b sin h sin w sin h cos w sin b cos h cos w cos b
(a) rxVxV.
(b) rxVyV.
(c) ryVyV.
(d) ryVzV.
(e) rzVzV.
2 3 2 3
exx exy exz 1000 Am=m 500 Arad 250 Arad
6 7 6 7
4 eyx eyy eyz 5 4 500 Arad 1500 Am=m 750 Arad 5
ezx ezy ezz 250 Arad 750 Arad 2000 Am=m
10. Use program 3DROTATE to determine the strain invariants for the
strain tensor listed below, and compare to those determined in Example
Problem 7. (Note: this strain tensor is similar to the one considered in
Example Problem 7 except that the algebraic sign of all normal strain
components has been reversed.):
2 3 2 3
exx exy exz 1000 Am=m 500 Arad 250 Arad
6 7 6 7
4 eyx eyy eyz 5 4 500 Arad 1500 Am=m 750 Arad 5
ezx ezy ezz 250 Arad 750 Arad 2000 Am=m
11. Use program 3DROTATE to determine the strain invariants for the
strain tensor listed below, and compare to those determined in Example
Problem 7. (Note: this strain tensor is similar to the one considered in
Example Problem 7 except that the algebraic sign of all strain compo-
nents has been reversed.):
2 3 2 3
exx exy exz 1000 Am=m 500 Arad 250 Arad
6 7 6 7
4 eyx eyy eyz 5 4 500 Arad 1500 Am=m 750 Arad 5
ezx ezy ezz 250 Arad 750 Arad 2000 Am=m
117
Now assume that a tensile stress is applied, causing the square element
(as well as the specimen as a whole) to deform. Because the stiness is higher
along diagonal AC than along diagonal BD, the length of diagonal AC is
increased to a lesser extent than that of diagonal BD. Hence, the initially
square element deforms into a parallelogram, as shown in the gure. Note
that:
The length of the square element is increased in the x-direction
(corresponding to a tensile strain, exx).
The length of the square element is decreased in the y-direction
(corresponding to a compressive strain eyy, and associated with the
Poisson eect).
BDAB is no longer p/2 rad, which indicates that a shear strain cxy has
been induced.
Designation Title
Related standards
D5687 Standard Guide for Preparation of Flat Composite Panels
with Processing Guidelines for Specimen Preparation
D638 Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
D882 Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin
Plastic Sheeting
D4018 Standard Test Methods for Properties of Continuous
Filament Carbon and Graphite Fiber Tows
D2343 Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Glass
Fiber Strands, Yarns, and Rovings Used in
Reinforced Plastics
low, such that a linear relationship exists between the stress component rxx
and the resulting strains. Strains induced at high nonlinear stress levels,
including failure stresses, will be considered in Sec. 5. Note that for an
anisotropic material, stress rxx will induce all six components of strain: exx,
eyy, ezz, cxy, cxz, and cyz. This is not the case for isotropic materials; a uniaxial
stress rxx applied to an isotropic material will not induce any shear strains
(cxy = cxz = cyz = 0); furthermore, the transverse normal strains will be
identical (eyy = ezz). Hence, for anisotropic material, there is an unusual
coupling between normal stress and shear strain, which would not be expected
based on previous experience with isotropic materials.
As would be expected, as the magnitude of rxx is increased, the mag-
nitude of all resulting strain components is also increased. Because stress rxx
causes six distinct components of strain for an anisotropic material, six ma-
terial properties must be dened in order to relate rxx to the resulting strains.
Let us rst consider material properties relating normal stress rxx to
normal strains exx, eyy, and ezz. The relationship between rxx and normal
strain exx is characterized by Youngs modulus Exx (also called the modulus
of elasticity):
rxx
Exx u e 1
xx
Youngs modulus is simply the slope of the rxx vs. exx curve shown in
Fig. 4. In words, Youngs modulus is dened as the normal stress rxx divided
In words, Poissons ratio vxy (or vxz) is dened as the negative of the trans-
verse normal strain eyy (or ezz) divided by the axial normal strain exx, both of
which are induced by stress rxx, with all other stresses equal to zero.
As before, subscripts have been used to indicate the uniaxial stress
condition under which Poissons ratio is measured. The rst subscript
indicates the direction of stress, and the second subscript indicates the
direction of transverse strain. For example, in the case of vxy, the rst
subscript x indicates that a uniaxial stress rxx has been applied, and the
second subscript y indicates that transverse normal strain eyy has been used to
calculate Poissons ratio.
Combining Eqs. (1) and (2), a relationship between rxx and transverse
strains eyy and ezz is obtained:
vxy vxz
eyy rxx ezz rxx 3
Exx Exx
Now consider material properties relating normal strain exx to shear
strains cxy, cxz, and cyz. Material properties relating normal strains to shear
strains were discussed by Lekhnitski [2] and are called coecients of mutual
inuence of the second kind. In this text, they will be denoted using the
symbol g, and are dened as follows:
cxy c cyz
gxx;xy u e gxx;xz u e xz gxx;yz u e 4
xx xx xx
In words, the coecient of mutual inuence of the second kind gxx,xy (or
gxx,xz, or gxx,yz) is dened as the shear strain cxy (or cxz, or cyz) divided by the
normal strain exx, both of which are induced by normal stress rxx, when all
other stresses equal zero.
Subscripts have once again been used to indicate the stress condition
under which the coecient of mutual inuence of the second kind is
measured. The rst set of subscripts indicates the direction of stress, and
the second set of subscripts indicates the shear strain used to calculate the
coecient. For example, in the case of gxx,xy, the rst two subscripts xx
Figure 5 Idealized plot of the six strain components caused by the application
a pure shear stress sxy.
In words, the shear modulus is dened as the shear stress sxy divided by
the resulting shear strain cxy, with all other stress components equal to zero.
Because we have restricted our attention to linear stress levels, Eq. (8) is only
valid at relatively low, linear shear stress levels.
The relationship between transverse strains (cxz, cyz) and cxy is charac-
terized by Chentsov coecients, which will be denoted using the symbol l in
this text:
c cyz
lxy;xz u cxz lxy;yz u c 9
xy xy
In words, the coecient of mutual inuence of the rst kind gxy,xx (or
gxy,yy, or gxy,zz) is dened as the normal strain exx (or eyy, or ezz) divided by
e22
v12 u e 15b
11
e33
v13 u e 15c
11
s12
G12 u 18a
c12
If the bers are not uniformly distributed within the 23 plane, or if the
composite is based on woven or braided fabrics, then the composite will
behave as an orthotropic material and G12 p G13. If the composite is based on
a unidirectional fabric and bers are uniformly distributed, then the compo-
site is transversely isotropic and G12 = G13.
The reader should note that the strains caused by a change in temper-
ature can be transformed from one coordinate system to another, in exactly
the same way that mechanically induced strains are transformed. In partic-
ular, any of the strain transformation equations reviewed in Chap. 2 (e.g., Eq.
(36), Eq. (41), Eq. (43), Eq. (44), or Eq. (47)) can be used to transform
thermally induced strains from one coordinate system to another.
eM eM
yy eM
bxx u xx
byy u bzz u zz
DM DM DM
24
cM
xy cM cM
yz
bxy u bxz u xz byz u
DM DM DM
A comparison between Eqs. (24) and (21), or between Eqs. (25) and (23)
will reinforce the fact that strains induced by a change in moisture content are
analogous (in a mathematical sense) to those caused by a change in temper-
ature.
eM eM eM
b11 u 11
b22 u 22
b33 u 33
DM DM DM 26
b12 b13 b23 0
Figure 12 Idealized plots of the axial strain qxx caused by application of a tensile
uniaxial stress jxx. (a) Stress-strain plot for a brittle material. (b) Stress-strain plot
for a modestly ductile material. (c) Stress-strain plot for a highly ductile material.
components (cxy) caused by sxy has been plotted, and (b) data have been
included at high nonlinear stress levels, including the shear stress level at
which the specimen fractures into two (or more) pieces.
Because anisotropic materials may exhibit dierent strengths in dier-
ent directions, strength must be measured in three orthogonal directions; the
x-, y-, and z-directions. It is possible for anisotropic materials, including many
composites, to exhibit brittle behavior in one direction (say, the x-direction)
but ductile behavior in other directions (the y-direction and/or z-direction).
* The dierence between a thermoset and a thermoplastic polymer is discussed in Sec. 2.4 of
Chap. 1.
11 i E11 e11
rfT 11 i E11 e11
fT
rfC fC
ryT yT
22 i E22 e22 ryC yC
22 i E22 e22
ryT yT
33 i E33 e33 ryC yC
33 i E33 e33
fT fT
The stress and strain values present at fracture are denoted (r22 , e22 ,
fT
r33 ,e33 ) or r22 ; e22 ; r33 ; e33 : Because most modern composites exhibit a
fT fC fC fC fC
modestly ductile response in the 2- and 3-directions, the fracture stress is less
than the value that would be calculated using a failure strain and Youngs
modulus:
Shear stressstrain curves (i.e., a plot of s12 vs. c12, s13 vs. c13, or s23 vs.
c23) for unidirectional composites typically exhibit a shape somewhere
between Fig. 12b and c. That is, the shear response is usually more ductile
than that measured for normal stress in the 2-direction, and in some cases may
be considered to be highly ductile. In the principal material coordinate
sf12 < G12 cf12 sf13 < G13 cf13 sf23 < G23 cf23
ryT yT
22 r33 ryC yC
22 r33
22 r33
rfT 22 r33
fT
rfC fC
* However, in a general nonprincipal material coordinate system, the shear strength is sensitive
to the algebraic sign of the shear stress. This important point will be further discussed in Secs. 5
and 6 of Chap. 5.
Designation Title
E11 55 GPa (8.0 Msi) 100 GPa (15 Msi) 170 GPa (25 Msi)
E22 16 GPa (2.3 Msi) 6 GPa (0.90 Msi) 10 GPa (1.5 Msi)
v12 0.28 0.33 0.30
G12 7.6 GPa (1.1 Msi) 2.1 GPa (0.30 Msi) 13 GPa (1.9 Msi)
fT
r11 1050 MPa (150 ksi) 1380 MPa (200 ksi) 1500 MPa (218 ksi)
fC
r11 690 MPa (100 ksi) 280 MPa (40 ksi) 1200 MPa (175 ksi)
yT
r22 45 MPa (5.8 ksi) 35 MPa (2.9 ksi) 50 MPa (7.25 ksi)
yC
r22 120 MPa (16 ksi) 105 MPa (15 ksi) 100 MPa (14.5 ksi)
fT
r22 55 MPa (7.0 ksi) 45 MPa (4.3 ksi) 70 MPa (10 ksi)
fC
r22 140 MPa (20 ksi) 140 Msi (20 ksi) 130 MPa (18.8 ksi)
y
s12 40 MPa (4.4 ksi) 40 MPa (4.0 ksi) 75 MPa (10.9 ksi)
f
s12 70 MPa (10 ksi) 60 MPa (9 ksi) 130 MPa (22 ksi)
a11 6.7 Am/m jC 3.6 Am/m jC 0.9 Am/m jC
(3.7 Ain./in. jF) (2.0 Ain./in. jF) (0.5 Ain./in. jF)
a22 25 Am/m jC 58 Am/m jC 27 Am/m jC
(14 Ain./in. jF) (32 Ain./in. jF) (15 Ain./in. jF)
b11 100 Am/m %M 175 Am/m %M 50 Am/m %M
(100 Ain./in. %M) (175 Ain./in. %M) (50 Ain./in. %M)
b22 1200 Am/m %M 1700 Am/m %M 1200 Am/m %M
(1200 Ain./in. %M) (1700 Ain./in. %M) (1200 Ain./in. %M)
nonreinforced bulk epoxy is commonly about 70 MPa (10 ksi), whereas from
Table 3, we see that graphiteepoxy typically possesses a matrix-dominated
tensile strength on the order of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi). Even more pronounced is
the reduction in tensile strain at fracture: for a nonreinforced bulk epoxy, the
tensile strain at fracture commonly ranges from about 1% to 5% (10,000
50,000 Am/m), whereas for graphiteepoxy, the matrix-dominated tensile
fT
strain at fracture (e22 ) rarely exceeds about 0.7% (7000 Am/m). The relatively
low matrix-dominated strengths exhibited by polymeric composites can be
explained on the basis of micromechanics analyses [69]. Briey, two factors
lead to low matrix-dominated tensile strengths. The rst is thermal stresses
induced at the microlevel during cooldown from cure temperatures. Recall
that the thermal expansion coecient of most high-performance bers is very
low and, in fact, is often slightly negative. For example, thermal expansion
coecients of glass, Kevlar, and graphite bers are about 5, 2, and 0.5
Am/m jC, respectively (see Sec. 3 of Chap. 1). In contrast, the thermal ex-
pansion coecient of polymers is quite high and usually exceeds 30 Am/m jC.
Consequently, during cooldown from cure temperatures, the matrix is re-
strained from thermal contraction by the bers, leading to self-equilibrating
Af Am
E11 Ef Em
A A
A Af Am
E11 Em Vf Ef Em 29
The transverse normal strain associated with the change in width of the
entire element (DW) is given by:
DW
e22
W
where vf and vm are Poisson ratios of the ber and matrix, respectively.
Hence, the transverse strain is given by:
DW
e22 Vf vf Vm vm e11
W
e22
v12 V f vf V m vm
e11
v12 vm Vf vm vf 30
DW Vf Vm
e22 r22
W Ef Em
Youngs modulus E22 as predicted by the rule of mixtures therefore
becomes:
r22 1 Ef Em
E22
e22 E V f Ef Vm
Ef Em
Vf Vm m
Ef Em
E22 31
Ef Vf Ef Em
For most polymeric composite material systems, Ef> >Em. Nevertheless,
Eq. (31) shows that E22 is dictated primarily by Em, and is only modestly
aected by the ber modulus Ef. Indeed, even in the limit (i.e., as Ef !l), the
predicted value of E22 is only increased to:
Em
E22 Ef !l
1 Vf
Because Vf is usually about 0.65, this result shows that E22 is still less
than three times the matrix modulus Em, even if the composite is produced
using a ber whose stiness is innitely high (Ef !l). E22 is therefore called
a matrix-dominated property of the composite.
Assuming an identical ber distribution in the 12 and 13 planes,
then an identical analysis can be conducted to predict Youngs modulus
in the 3-direction E33, resulting in an identical expression. Hence, E33=E22.
HOMEWORK PROBLEMS
1. An orthotropic material is known to have the following elastic properties:
(a) What strains are induced if a uniaxial tensile stress r11=300 MPa is
applied?
(b) What strains are induced if a uniaxial tensile stress r22=300 MPa is
applied?
(c) What strains are induced if a uniaxial tensile stress r33=300 MPa is
applied?
(d) What strains are induced if a pure shear stress s12=100 MPa is
applied?
(e) What strains are induced if a pure shear stress s13=100 MPa is
applied?
(f ) What strains are induced if a pure shear stress s23=100 MPa is
applied?
0 0 0
260 192 61
630 454 146
1220 860 279
1910 1335 433
2600 1807 587
4100 2784 930
0 0
64 300
102 539
172 923
275 1489
385 2072
4. Load vs. strain data collected during two dierent composite tensile tests
are shown in Tables 4 and 5. Use linear regression to determine the
following properties for this composite material:
(a) Determine E11 and v12 using the data collected using the [0]8
specimen (Table 4).
(b) Determine E22 using the data collected using the [90]16
specimen (Table 5).
(c) Determine the value of v21 for this composite material system.
REFERENCES
1. Dieter, G.E. Mechanical Metallurgy; New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Inc., 1986;
ISBN0-07-016893-8.
2. Lekhnitski, S.G. Theory of Elasticity of an Anisotropic Body; Holden-Day: San
Francisco, 1963.
3. Bert, C.W.; Reddy, J.N.; Reddy, V.S.; Chao, W.C. Analysis of thick rectangular
plates laminated of bimodulus composite materials. AIAA J. 1981, 19 (10), 1342
1349.
4. Measurement of Thermal Expansion Coecient, M-M Tech Note 513;
Measurement Group, Inc.: Raleigh, NC, USA (available at the Measure-
ment Group website at: http://www.measurementsgroup.com/guide/indexes/
tn_index.htm).
5. Standard Test Method for Moisture Absorption Properties and Equilibrium
Conditioning of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials, Test Standard 5229;
167
Only six independent strain components appear in Eq. (2). Also, the
tensoral shear strain components equal one-half the more commonly used
engineering shear strain components, that is,
cxy cyx c c cyz czy
exy eyx ; exz ezx xz zx ; eyz ezy 3
2 2 2 2 2 2
For any elastic solid, the strain and stress tensors are related as follows
(assuming temperature and moisture content remain constant):
eij Sijkl rkl 4
exx ! e1 rxx ! r1
eyy ! e2 ryy ! r2
ezz ! e3 rzz ! r3
5
cyz czy ! e4 ryz rzy ! r4
cxz czx ! e5 rxz rzx ! r5
cxy cyx ! e6 rxy ryx ! r6
Notice that the symmetry of the strain and stress tensors (cyz=cxz, etc.)
is embedded within the very denition of contracted notation. Also note that
the shear strain components (e4, e5, and e6) represent engineering shear strains,
rather than tensoral shear strains. Based on this change in notation, we can
now write Eq. (4) as:
In contracted notation, the strain and stress tensors are expressed with a
single subscript (i.e., ei and rj), and hence in Eq. (6), they appear to be rst-
order tensors. This is, of course, not the case. Both strain and stress are
second-order tensors. We are able to write them as using contracted notation
only because they are both symmetrical tensors. Similarly, contracted nota-
tion allows us to refer to individual components of the fourth-order com-
pliance tensor expressed using only two subscripts. We will henceforth refer to
Sij as the compliance matrix, and the use of contracted notation will be
implied.
Expanding Eq. (6), we have:
8 9 2 38 9
> e1 > S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 > r1 >
>
> >
> >
> >
>
> e2 >> 6 S26 7>r > >
>
> >
> 6 S21 S22 S23 S24 S25 7>
> 2>>
<e >
> = 6 7>
>
<
>
>
6 S31 S32 S33 S34 S35 S36 7 r3 =
6 7
3
6S 7
>
> 4>
> e >
> 6 41 S42 S43 S44 S45 S46 7> r4 >
7> >
>
> > 6 > >
7> >
> e5 >
> > 4 S51
> S52 S53 S54 S55 > r5 >
S56 5>
> >
>
: >
> ; : >
> ;
e6 S61 S62 S63 S64 S65 S66 r6
In contracted notation, the compliance matrix has six rows and six
columns, so it is now clear that it consists of 36 independent material
constants (at most), as previously stated. Furthermore, through a consider-
ation of strain energy, it can be shown [1] that the compliance matrix must
g33;13 g33;23 0
* The variable names assigned to the compliance and stiness matrices in this chapter have
evolved over many years and are widely used within the structural mechanics community. The
reader should note that, unfortunately, the symbol S is customarily used to refer to the
compliance matrix, whereas the symbol C is customarily used to refer to the stiness matrix.
g23;22 g23;33 0
Chentsov coecients:
Because these coupling terms do not exist, Hookes law for orthotropic
or transversely isotropic materials is simplied considerably relative to that of
an anisotropic material. For an orthotropic material, Hookes law becomes
(compare with Eq. (11)):
8 9 2 38 9
> > 1 m21 m31 > >
>
> e11 >> > r11 >
>
7>
> > 0 0 0 > >
>
> >
> 6 > >
>
>
> >
> 6 E11 E22 E33 7>>
> >
>
>
> >
> 6 7>> >
>
>
> >
> 6 m21 1 m32 7>> >
>
> e22 >
> > 6 7>> r22 >
>
>
> >
> 6 E 0 0 0 7> >
>
>
> >
> 6 E22 E33 7>> >
>
7>
11
>
> >
> 6 >
> >
>
>
> >
> 6 7> >
>
>
> >
> 6 m13 m23 1 7>>
> >
>
>
> e >
> 6 0 0 0 7>> r >
>
< 33 = 6 E11 E22 E33 7< 33 =
6 7
> >
6 7
7> >
16
> > 6 1 7> >
>
>
>
> c23 >> 6
>
> 6 0 0 0 0 0 7>> s23 >
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >
> 6 G23 7>> >
>
>
> >
> 6 7>> >
>
>
> >
> 6 7> >
>
> >
> 6 7>> >
> > s13 >
>
1
> > >
>
>
>
c 13 > 6
>
> 6
0 0 0 0
G13
0 7>
7>>
>
>
>
>
> >
> 6 7>> >
>
> > > >
>
> > 6
> 7
5>> >
>
>
> > 4
> 1 >
> >
>
: c12 >
> ; 0 0 0 0 0 > >
: s12 ;
G12
8 9 2 38 9
> e11 > S11 S12 S13 0 0 0 > r11 >
>
> >
> > >
>
> >
> 6 7>>
>
>
>
>
>
> e >
> 6 S12 S22 S23 0 0 0 7 >
> r >
>
>
> 22 >
> 6 7>> 22 >
>
>
> >
> 6 7>> >
>
< e33 >
> = 6S 0 7 > >
6 13 S23 S33 0 0 7 r33 =
<
6
6
7
7 17
>
> c23 >
> 6 0 0 0 S44 0 0 7> > s23 >
>
>
> >
> 6 7>> >
>
>
> >
> 6 7>> >
>
> c13 >
> > 6 0 > s13 >
> >
>
> >
> 4 0 0 0 S55 0 75>> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
: ; : ;
c12 0 0 0 0 0 S66 s12
Equation (17) is the strainstress form of Hookes law suitable for use
with orthotropic materials. To obtain a stressstrain relationship, Eq. (17) is
inverted, resulting in:
8 9 2 38 9
> r11 > C11 C12 C13 0 0 0 > e11 >
>
> >
> >
> >
>
> r22 >> 6 C12 C22 C23 0 7 > e22 > >
>
> >
> 6 0 0 7>
>
>
>
>
>
<r = 6C 7< =
33 6 13 C 23 C33 0 0 0 7 33e
6 7 19
>
> s23 >> 6 0 0 0 C44 0 0 7>> c23 >>
>
>s > >
> 4 6 7>
> >
>
>
> 13 > 0 0 0 0 C55 0 5>> c > >
>
: >
; : 13 >
> ;
s12 0 0 0 0 0 C66 c 12
S22 S33 S223 S13 S23 S12 S33 S12 S33 S13 S22
C11 C12 C13
S S S
S11 S33 S213 S12 S13 S11 S23 S11 S22 S212
C22 C23 C33
S S S
1 1 1
C44 C55 C66
S44 S55 S66
20
E22 m223 E33 E211 m12 E22 m13 m23 E33 E11 E22
C11 C12
X X
m12 m23 m13 E11 E22 E33 E11 m13 E33 E222
2
C13 C22
X X 21
m23 E11 m12 m13 E22 E22 E33 E11 m212 E22 E22 E33
C23 C33
X X
C44 G23 C55 G13 C66 G12
where:
X E11 E22 m212 E222 m213 E22 E33 m223 E11 E33 2m12 m13 m23 E22 E33
Hookes law for transversely isotropic materials is simplied further-
more because in this case, E22=E33, m12=m13, m21=m31, m23=m32, and
G12=G13. Also, it can also be easily shown that for transversely isotropic
E22
composites, G23 21m . Hence, for transversely isotropic composites, Eq.
23
(16) reduces to:
8 9 2 38 9
> > 1 m21 m21 > >
>
> e >
> 0 0 0 >
> r >
>
>
>
11 >
> 6 E11 E22 E22 7>
>
11 >
>
> > 6 7> >
>
>
>
>
>
> 6 m 1 m 7>
> >
>
>
>
> >
> 6 7>
> >
>
0 7>
21 32
>
> e22 >
> 6 0 0 >
> r 22 >
>
>
> >
> 6 E11 E22 E22 7>
> >
>
>
> >
> 6 7>
> >
>
>
> >
> 6 m12 m 1 7>
> >
>
> > 6 23 7> r33 >
< e33 >
> = 6 E 0 0 0 7> < >
=
6 E22 E22 7
>
6
> 6
11
7
>
22
21 m23 7>
>
>
> c23 >
>
> 6 0 7 > s23 >
> >
>
>
> >
> 6
0 0 0
G22
0 7>
>
> >
>
>
> >
> 6 7>
> >
>
>
> >
> 6 >
7> >
>
> > 6
> 1 7> >
>
> c13 > 6 0 0 0 0 0 7> > s13 >>
>
> >
> 6 7>
> >
>
>
> >
> 6
G12
7>
> >
>
>
> >
> 4 5>
> >
>
>c > > 1 > >
>
: 12 ; 0 0 0 0 0 : s12 >
> ;
G12
where:
V S11 S22 S23 2S212
Alternatively, the stiness terms may be calculated using the elastic
properties described in Sec. 2 of Chap. 3:
E211 1 m23 m12 E11 E22 E22 E11 m212 E22
C11 C12 C22
X X X1 m23
E22 m23 E11 m12 E22
2
C22 C23 E22
C23 C44 C66 C12
X1 m23 2 21 m23
26
where:
1 1 5:88 1 1 100:0
S11 S22
E11 170 GPa 1012 Pa E22 10 GPa 1012 GPa
1 1 125:0 1 1 125:0
S33 12 S44 12
E33 8 GPa 10 Pa G23 8 GPa 10 Pa
1 1 100 1 1 76:9
S55 12 S66 12
G13 10 GPa 10 Pa G12 13 GPa 10 Pa
m12 0:030 1:76 m13 0:35 2:06
S21 S12 S31 S13
E11 170 GPa 1012 Pa E11 170 GPa 1012 Pa
m23 0:40 40:0
S32 S23 12
E22 10 GPa 10 Pa
Example Problem 2
The properties of a composite material are known to be:
1 1 40:0 1 1 667
S11 S22 S33
E11 25 Msi 109 psi E22 1:5 Msi 109 psi
1 21 m23 21 0:40 1866
S44 9
G23 E22 1:5 Msi 10 psi
1 1 500
S55 S66
G12 2:0 Msi 109 psi
m12 0:30 12:0
S12 S21 S13 S31 9
E11 25 Msi 10 psi
m23 0:40 266
S23 S32
E22 1:5 Msi 109 psi
Example Problem 3
An orthotropic composite is subjected to a state of stress that causes the
following state of strain:
8 9 8 9
>
> e11 >
> >
> 1500 Am=m >>
>
> > > >
>
> e22 >
>
>
>
>
> 2000 Am=m >>
>
< = < =
e33 1000 Am=m
>
>
> > >
c23 > > 2500 Arad > >
>c >
> > >
> > 500 Arad >
> >
>
>
: 13 >
; : > >
;
c12 2000 Arad
Determine the stresses that caused these strains (use material properties
listed in Example Problem 1).
Solution. Because the composite is orthotropic, stresses are calculated using
Eq. (19). The stiness matrix can be obtained by: (a) inverting the compliance
matrix determined as a part of Example Problem 1, (b) through the use of Eq.
(20), or (c) through the use of Eq. (21). All three methods are entirely
equivalent, and which procedure is selected for use is simply a matter of
convenience. Equation (21) will be used in this example:
X 1457GPa2
8 9 2 3
>
> r11 >
> 172:98 4:808 4:387 0 0 0
>
> >
> 6 4:808
>
> r >
> 11:602 3:792 0 0 0 7
= 6 7
22
< 6 4:387
r33 3:792 9:286 0 0 0 7
6
6
7GPa
> s23 >
> > 6 0 0 0 8:0 0 0 7 7
>
> >
> 4 0
> s13 >
> > 0 0 0 10:0 0 5
: ;
s12 0 0 0 0 0 13:0
eij fr; T; M
The function f( ) is a nonlinear function of stress, temperature, and
moisture content, even though we have limited our attention to linear rela-
tionships between strain and these three mechanisms. That is, we have
dened:
Youngs modulus as the slope of linear region of the stressstrain
curve (Sec. 2 of Chap. 3)
The coecient of thermal expansion (CTE) as the slope of the linear
region of the strainDT curve (Sec. 3 of Chap. 3)
The coecient of moisture expansion (CME) as the slope of the
linear region of the strainDT curve (Sec. 4 of Chap. 3).
Despite these assumptions of linearity, the strain response may still be a
coupled function of stress, temperature, and moisture because a change in one
variable may cause a change in the other two. For example, for all polymer-
based materials, an increase in temperature will ordinarily cause a decrease in
Youngs modulus. Similarly, an increase in moisture content often causes an
increase in CTEs and a decrease in Youngs modulus.
These coupling eects are ignored throughout this text. It is assumed
that the strain response is an uncoupled function of stress, temperature, and
moisture. For example, we assume that Youngs modulus is measured under
some standard environmental condition (say, at room temperature and 0%
moisture content), and that subsequent changes in temperature or moisture
content are relatively modest such that Youngs modulus may be assumed to
remain constant. Based on these assumptions, the total strain tensor induced
in a structure is simply the sum of the strains induced by each of mechanism
acting independently:
The superscripts j, T, and M used in Eq. (30) indicate that the individual
components of strain are caused by the application of stress, by a uniform
s12 0 0 0 0 0 C66
8 9
>
> e11 DTa11 DMb11 > >
>
> >
>
>
> e22 DTa22 DMb22 > >
>
< >
=
e 33 DTa 33 DMb 33 34
>
> c23 >
>
>
> >
>
>
> c >
>
>
: 13 >
;
c12
As discussed in preceding chapters, an implicit assumption in Eqs. (33)
and (34) is that the strain tensor, stress tensor, and material properties are all
referenced to the principal material coordinate system of the orthotropic
material (i.e., the 123 coordinate system). If an orthotropic is referenced to
a nonprincipal material coordinate system, then the relation between strain,
stress, temperature, and moisture content is given by Eq. (31) or Eq. (32).
8 9 8 9
>
> a11 >
> >
> b11 >
>
>
> > > >
>
> a22 >
>
>
>
>
> b > >
< = < 22 >=
a22 b22
DT DM 35
>
> 0 >> >
> 0 >>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
> 0 >
> >
> 0 >>
>
: ; : ;
0 0
(a) Calculate the stress tensor that caused these strains, assuming no
change in temperature or moisture content (i.e., assuming
DT=DM=0).
(b) Calculate the stress tensor that caused these strains, if these strains
were caused by the simultaneous eects of stress and a temperature
decrease of 100jC (assume DM=0).
(c) Calculate the stress tensor that caused these strains, if these strains
were caused by the simultaneous eects of stress, a temperature
decrease of 100jC, and a 2% increase in moisture content.
An orthotropic material with the following properties is considered in
problems 58:
(a) Calculate the stress tensor that caused these strains, assuming no
change in temperature or moisture content (i.e., assuming
DT=DM=0).
(b) Calculate the stress tensor that caused these strains, if these strains
were caused by the simultaneous eects of stress and a temperature
decrease of 100jC (assume DM=0).
(c) Calculate the stress tensor that caused these strains, if these strains
were caused by the simultaneous eects of stress, a temperature
decrease of 100jC, and a 2% increase in moisture content.
REFERENCE
1. Jones, R.M. Mechanics of Composite Materials; Hemisphere Publ. Co.: New
York, NY, 1975; ISBN 0-89116-490-1.
193
Note that Eq. (1) shows that in the case of plane stress, the out-of-plane shear
strains are always equal to zero (c23=c13=0). It is customary to write the
expressions for the remaining four strain components as follows:
8 9 2 38 9 8 9 8 9
> b
< e11 >= S11 S12 0 > < r11 >= < a11 >
> = < 11 >
> =
6 7
e22 4 S12 S22 0 5 r22 DT a22 DM b22 2a
>
: >
; >
: >
; >
: >
; >
: >
;
c12 0 0 S66 s12 0 0
Equations (2a) and (2b) are called the reduced forms of Hookes law for
an orthotropic composite. They are only valid for a state of plane stress and
are called reduced laws because we have reduced the allowable stress tensor
from three dimensions to two dimensions. The 33 array in Eq. (2a) is called
the reduced compliance matrix. Note that despite the reduction from three to
two dimensions, we have retained the subscripts used in the original com-
pliance matrix. For example, the element that appears in the (3,3) position of
the reduced compliance matrix is labeled S66. The denition of each com-
pliance term is not altered by the reduction from three to two dimensions, and
each term is still related to the more familiar engineering constants (E11, E22,
v12, etc.) in accordance with Eq. (18) of Chap. 4.
Inverting Eq. (2a), we obtain:
8 9 2 38 9
< r11 >
> = Q11 Q12 0 > < e11 DTa11 DMb11 > =
6 0 7
r22 4 Q12 Q22 5 e22 DTa22 DMb22 3
>
: >
; >
: >
;
s12 0 0 Q66 c12
The 33 array that appears in Eq. (3) is called the reduced stiness
matrix and equals the inverse of the reduced compliance matrix:
2 3 2 31
Q11 Q12 0 S11 S12 0
6Q 7 6
0 5u4 S12 0 7
4 12 Q22 S22 5 4
0 0 Q66 0 0 S66
Note that we are now using a dierent symbol to denote stiness. That
is, the original 3-D stiness matrix was denoted Cij (as in Eq. (19) of Chap. 4,
for example), whereas the reduced stiness matrix is denoted Qij. This change
in notation is required because individual members of the reduced stiness
matrix are not equal to the corresponding members in the original stiness
matrix. That is, Q11 p C11, Q12 p C12, Q22 p C22, and Q66 p C66. Relations
between Qij and Cij can be derived as follows. From Eq. (19) of Chap. 4, it can
be seen that for an orthotropic material subjected to an arbitrary state of
stress:
r11 C11 e11 C12 e22 C13 e33 5a
and
r33 C13 e11 C23 e22 C33 e33 5b
The out-of-plane strain e33 must be related to in-plane strains e11 and e22 in
accordance with Eq. (6), otherwise, a state of plane stress does not exist in the
composite. Substituting Eq. (6) into Eq. (5a) and simplifying, we have:
On the other hand, from Eq. (3), r11 is given by (with DT=DM=0):
In essence, the denition of elements of the Qij matrix diers from those of the
Cij matrix because the Qij matrix is dened for plane stress conditions only,
whereas Cij can be used for any stress state.
Elements of the reduced stiness matrix may be related to the elements
of the compliance matrix by either substituting Eq. (20) of Chap. 4 in Eqs.
(9a)(9d), or by simply performing the matrix inversion indicated in Eq. (4).
In either case, it will be found that:
S22 S12
Q11 Q12 Q21
S11 S22 S212 S11 S22 S212
10
S11 1
Q22 Q66
S11 S22 S212 S66
Since this result is identical to Eq. (3), it is seen once again that the relationship
between in-plane strains (e11, e22, and c12) and in-plane stress components
(r11, r22, and s12) is identical for orthotropic and transversely isotropic
materials.
The terms within the reduced stiness matrix are calculated in accordance
with Eq. (11):
3:016 GPa
E11 E22 170 GPa10 GPa
Q22 10:05 GPa
E11 m212 E22 170 GPa 0:302 10 GPa
Q66 G12 13 GPa
Hence, in this case, Eq. (3) becomes:
8 9 2 3
>
< r11 > = 170:9 109 3:016 109 0
6 7
r22 4 3:016 109 10:05 109 0 5
>
: >
;
s12 0 0 13:0 109
8 6
9
< 0 1550:9 10 0:5 150 106 =
0 155 27 106 0:5 4800 106
: ;
0
8 9 8 9
>
< r11 >= > < 31:36 MPa >=
r22 17:29 MPa
>
: >
; > : >
;
s12 0
To simplify Eq. (15), rst multiply both sides of Eq. (15) by the inverse of the
Reuter matrix, [R]1, and then by the inverse of the transformation matrix,
[T ]1:
8 9 8 9
> e
< xx > = < rxx >
> =
eyy T 1 R 1 S T ryy 16
>
: >
; >
: >
;
cxy =2 sxy
where:
2 3
1 0 0
6 7
R 1 4 0 1 0 5
0 0 1=2
and
2 3
cos2 h sin2 h 2coshsinh
6 7
T 1 4 sin2 h cos2 h 2coshsinh 5
coshsinh coshsinh cos2 h sin2 h
where:
S RT 1 R1 ST
where:
axx a11 cos2 h a22 sin2 h
ayy a11 sin2 h a22 cos2 h 25
axy 2coshsinha11 a22
where:
31
The [ Q] matrix is called the transformed, reduced stiness matrix.* This name
again reminds us that we have reduced our analysis to the 2-D plane stress
case, and that we have transformed Hookes law from the 12 coordinate
system to an arbitrary xy coordinate system. Note that the [ Q] matrix is (in
general) fully populated. This reects the anisotropic nature of unidirectional
composites when referenced to a nonprincipal material coordinate system.
Also, the [ Q] matrix is symmetric, so that Q21 Q12 , Q61 Q16 , and Q62
Q26 , as indicated in Eq. (31).
The reader should note that the functional form of the equations that
dene the elements of the transformed reduced stiness matrix, i.e., Eq. (31),
is not identical to the functional form of the equations dening the elements of
the transformed reduced compliance matrix, Eq. (21). That is, Eq. (31) cannot
be transformed into Eq. (21) by a simple substitution of S11 for Q11, S12 for
Q12, S22 for Q22, etc. This dierence in functional form is due to the fact that
we have dened both the stiness and compliance matrices in terms of
Example Problem 5
Determine the strains induced in the o-axis graphiteepoxy composite
subjected to (a) the in-plane stresses shown in Fig. 4, (b) a decrease in
temperature DT=155jC, and (c) an increase in moisture content
DM=0.5%. Use the material properties listed in Table 3 of Chap. 3.
Solution. This problem involves three dierent mechanisms that contribute
to the total strain induced in the laminate: the applied stresses, the temper-
Numerical values for the stresses and transformed reduced compliance matrix
are given in Example 4. The linear thermal and moisture expansion coef-
cients for graphiteepoxy, referenced to the xy coordinate system, are
calculated using Eqs. (25) and (28), respectively.
The thermal expansion coecients are:
axx a11 cos2 h a22 sin2 h 0:9 106 cos2 30j
27 106 sin2 30j
axx 6:1 Am=m=o C
ayy a11 sin2 h a22 cos2 h 0:9 106 sin2 30j
27 106 cos2 30j
ayy 20:0 Am=m=o C
axy 2 coshsinha11 a22 2 cos30jsin30j
0:9 106 27 106
axy 24:2 Arad=o C
The moisture expansion coecients are:
bxx b11 cos2 h b22 sin2 h 150 106 cos2 30j
4800 106 sin2 30j
bxx 1313 Am=m=%M
byy b11 sin2 h b22 cos2 h 150 106 sin2 30j
4800 106 cos2 30j
byy 3638 Am=m=%M
bxy 2 coshsinhb11 b22 2 cos30jsin30j
150 106 4800 106
bxy 4027 Arad=%M
8 6
9
< 1313 10 >
> =
3638 106
>
: >
;
4027 106
Completing the matrix multiplication indicated, we obtain:
8 9 8 9 8 9 8 9
>
> exx >> > 6220 Am=m > > 946 Am=m > > 657 Am=m >
< = > < = >
> < = >
> < >
=
eyy 1144 Am=m 3100 Am=m 1819 Am=m
>
> > > > > > > >
:c > ; > : ; >
> : ; >
> : >
;
xy 10375 Arad 3751 Arad 2014 Arad
8 9
>
> 5931 Am=m > >
< =
137 Am=m
>
> >
>
: ;
8638 Arad
An implicit assumption in this problem is that the composite is free to expand
or contract, as dictated by changes in temperature and/or moisture content.
Consequently, neither DT nor DM aects the state of stress, but rather aects
only the state of strain. Conversely, if the composite is not free to expand or
contract, then a change in temperature and/or moisture content does con-
tribute to the state of stress, as illustrated in Example Problem 6.
Example Problem 6
A thin o-axis graphiteepoxy composite laminate is rmly mounted within
an innitely rigid square frame, as shown in Fig. 5. The coecients of thermal
and moisture expansion of the rigid frame equal zero.
The composite is initially stress-free. Subsequently, however, the com-
posite/frame assembly is subjected to a decrease in temperature DT=155jC
and an increase in moisture content DM=0.5%. Determine the stresses
induced in the composite by this change in temperature and moisture content.
Ignore the possibility that the thin composite will buckle if compressive
stresses occur.
Recall that the elements of the reduced stiness matrix, the [ Q] matrix, were
calculated as a part of Example Problem 3. Each term within the transformed
8 9 2 3
> r 107:6 109 26:1 109 48:1 109
< xx >=
6 7
ryy 4 26:1 109 27:2 109 21:5 109 5
>
: >
;
sxy 48:1 109 21:5 109 36:0 109
8 9
> 0 155 6:1 106 0:5 1313 106 >
< =
0 155 20:0 106 0:5 3638 106
>
: >
;
0 155 24:2 106 0:5 4027 106
8 9 8 9
> r 19:0 MPa >
< xx >= >
< =
ryy 5:04 MPa
>
: >
; >
: >
;
sxy 21:1 MPa
The terms UiS which appear in Eq. (33) are called compliance invariants and
are dened as follows:
1
US1 3S11 3S22 2S12 S66
8
1
US2 S11 S22
2
1
US3 S11 S22 2S12 S66 34
8
1
US4 S11 S22 6S12 S66
8
1
US5 S11 S22 2S12 S66
2
The superscript S is used to indicate that these quantities are calculated using
members of the reduced compliance matrix [S]. They are called compliance
Q11 UQ Q Q
1 U2 cos 2h U3 cos 4h
Q12 Q21 UQ Q
4 U3 cos 4h
1
Q16 Q61 UQ sin 2h UQ3 sin 4h 35
2 2
Q22 UQ Q Q
1 U2 cos 2h U3 cos 4h
1
Q26 Q62 UQ sin 2h UQ3 sin 4h
2 2
Q66 UQ Q
5 U3 cos 4h
Example Problem 7
Problem. Use the material invariants [i.e., Eqs. (33) and (34)] to calculate the
transformed reduced compliance matrix for a 30j graphiteepoxy laminate.
Use the material properties listed in Table 3 of Chap. 3.
Solution. From Example Problem 1, the reduced compliance matrix for this
material system is:
2 3 2 3
S11 S12 0 5:88 1012 1:76 1012 0
4 S12 S22 0 5 4 1:76 1012 100:0 1012 5 1
0
Pa
0 0 S66 0 0 76:9 1012
The compliance invariants may be calculated using these values and
Eq. (34):
1 1h
US1 3S11 3S22 2S12 S66 3 5:88 1012
8 8
i
12
3 100:0 10 2 1:76 1012 76:9 1012
48:9 1012
1 1
US2 S11 S22 5:88 1012 100:0 1012
2 2
47:1 1012
1 1h
US3 S11 S22 2S12 S66 5:88 1012 100:0 1012
8 8
i
2 1:76 1012 76:9 1012 4:06 1012
1 1h
US4 S11 S22 6S12 S66 5:88 1012 100:0 1012
8 8
i
6 1:76 1012 76:9 1012 2:296 1012
1 1h
US5 S11 S22 2S12 S66 5:88 1012 100:0 1012
2 2 i
2 1:76 1012 76:9 1012 93:17 1012
In-plane strains caused by uniaxial stress rxx are therefore given by:
exx S11 rxx 37a
eyy S12 rxx 37b
cxy S16 rxx ; 37c
In Sec. 2 of Chap. 3, Youngs modulus was dened as the normal stress
rxx divided by the resulting normal strain exx, with all other stress components
equal zero. Applying this denition to the unidirectional laminate shown in
Fig. 6, Youngs modulus in the x-direction is given by:
rxx rxx 1
Exx 38a
exx S11 rxx S11
Inserting the relation for Q11 listed in Eq. (22), we have:
1
Exx 38b
S11 cos4 h 2S12 S66 cos2 h sin2 h S22 sin4 h
Since each of the compliance terms (S11, S12, etc.) can also be related to the
more familiar engineering constants using Eq. (18) of Chap. 4, Youngs
modulus can also be written as:
1
Exx 38c
cos h
4
1 2m12 sin4 h
cos h sin h
2 2
E11 G12 E11 E22
eyy S12
vxy 39a
exx S11
cxy S16
gxx;xy 40a
exx S11
2S11 2S12 S66 cos3 h sin h 2S22 2S12 S66 cos h sin3 h
gxx;xy
S11 cos4 h 2S12 S66 cos2 h sin 2 h S22 sin4 h
40b
or equivalently:
2 2v12 1 2 2v12 1
cos3 h sin h cos h sin2 h
E11 E11 G12 E22 E11 G12
gxx;xy
cos4 h 1 2v12 sin4 h
cos2 h sin2 h
E11 G12 E11 E22
40c
In Sec. 2 of Chap. 3, the shear modulus was dened as the shear stress
sxy divided by the resulting shear strain cxy, with all other stress components
equal zero. Applying this denition to the laminate shown in Fig. 7, the shear
modulus referenced to the xy coordinate axes is given by:
sxy 1
Gxy 44
cxy S66
As before, this expression can be expanded in terms of compliances
referenced to the 12 coordinate system using Eq. (21) or written in terms of
measured engineering properties using Eq. (18) of Chap. 4.
The coecient of mutual inuence of the rst kind gxy,xx (or gxy,yy) was
dened as the normal strain exx (or eyy) divided by the shear strain cxy, both
of which are induced by shear stress sxy, when all other stresses equal zero.
For a unidirectional composite laminate, the coecient of mutual inuence of
the rst kind gxy,xx is therefore given by:
exx S16
gxy;xx 45a
cxy S66
while gxy,yy is given by:
eyy S26
gxy;yy 45b
cxy S66
Chentsov coecients were dened in Sec. 2 of Chap. 3 as the shear
strain cxz (or cyz) divided by the shear strain cxy, both of which are induced by
eM eM cM
bxx xx
byy
yy
bxy
xy 48
DM DM DM
The superscript M is included as a reminder that the strains involved are those
caused by a change in moisture only. The strains induced in a unidirectional
laminate subjected to a change in moisture content can be determined using
Figure 9 A plot of the effective Poisson ratios vxy and vyx for unidirectional
graphiteepoxy laminates and fiber angles ranging over 0j V h V 90j.
Figure 13 A plot of the effective coefficients of thermal expansion axx, ayy, and
axy for unidirectional graphiteepoxy laminates and fiber angles ranging over
0j V h V 90j.
In this section, we will discuss failure criteria that are commonly used to
predict failure of composites under general 3-D or 2-D states of stress. It will
be assumed that the composite is brittle in the 1-direction, but ductile in the
2- and 3-directions. That is, in the ber direction, failure is assumed to
involve fracture, whereas transverse to the bers, failure is assumed to
involved yielding, dened on the basis of a % strain oset. Both orthotropic
and transversely isotropic composites will be considered. For the orthotropic
case, failure predictions will be based on the combinations of the following
fundamental material strengths:
fT
Fracture stress in the 1-direction: r11 fC
, r11 .
yT yC yT yC y y
Yield stress in the 2- and 3-directions: r22 , r22 , r33 , r33 , s12, s13,
y
s23.
If the composite is transversely isotropic, then the number of independent
material strengths involved is reduced, since in this case:
y
ryT yT
22 r33 ryC yC
22 r33 sy12 s13
and
js12 j < sy12
and
js13 j < sy13
and
js23 j < sy23
According to the maximum stress failure criterion, failure (i.e., fracture in the
ber direction or yield-like behavior transverse to the ber) is predicted strictly
on the basis of individual stress components. Thus, failure is assumed to be
independent of any coupling eects between individual stress components.
In the case of plane stress (r33=s13=s23=0), the maximum stress
failure criterion reduces to the following ve inequalities:
1*rfC
11 < r11 < r11
fT
and
1*ryC yT
22 < r22 < r22
51
and
js12 j < sy12
The maximum stress failure criterion is most commonly applied in the
form of Eq. (51) since in most cases, an individual composite ply can be
assumed to be in a state of plane stress.
* The von Mises yield criterion is also mathematically equivalent to the octahedral shear
stress and distortional energy yield criteria.
2 3 52
6 1 1 1 7
r11 r33 4 2 2 2 5
fT
r11 ryT
22 ryT
33
2 3
6 1 1 1 7
r22 r33 4 2 2 2 5 < 1
fT
r11 yT yT
r22 r33
X1 r11 X2 r22 X3 r33 X11 r211 X22 r222 X33 r233 X44 s223
55
X55 s213 X66 s212 2X12 r11 r22 2X13 r11 r33 2X23 r22 r33 < 1
Most of the constants that appear in this inequality (i.e., X1, X2, X3, X11, etc.)
fT
can be determined based on fundamental strength measurements (i.e., r11 ,
fC yT yC
r11 , r22 , r22 , etc.). First, consider a uniaxial strength measurement in which
only stress r11 is applied (that is, a test in which r11 p 0, r22 =r33
=s23=s13=s12=0). Stress r11 is increased monotonically from zero until
Similarly, if failure is measured during two uniaxial stress tests in which only
r22 is applied, we nd:
1 1 1
X2 X22 57
ryT
22 ryC
22 ryT yC
22 r22
Using measurements obtained during two tests in which only r33 is applied:
1 1 1
X3 X33 58
ryT
33 ryC
33 ryT yC
33 r33
Only three coecients remain to be determined, X12, X13, and X23. Several
methods of determining these coecients have been suggested, but thus far,
no one technique has gained widespread acceptance. Two methods that have
been proposed will be discussed here.
Conceptually, the most straightforward approach is through the use of
additional biaxial testing. For example, X12 can be determined by conducting
a biaxial test in which r11=r22=r and r33=s23=s13=s12=0. The magnitude
of biaxial stresses (r) is increased until failure occurs (i.e., increased until
either fracture or yielding occurs). For simplicity, let us assume that failure
occurs due to yielding and denote the onset of yielding using the superscript y.
At the moment of failure then, the stresses applied are r11=r22=ry and
The basis of this approach is that if Eq. (61) is enforced and isotropic
yT yC yT yC
strengths are assumed
p
fT
(i.e., if r11 fC
=r11 =r22 =r22 =r33 =r33 =ry, and sy12
sy13 sy23 ry = 3), then the TsaiWu criterion reduces to the original von
Mises criterion for isotropic materials. This approach holds some intellectual
appeal since it makes sense that a failure criterion proposed for use with an
orthotropic material should reduce to a well-known isotropic yield criterion if
isotropic strengths are assumed. It is also a convenient assumption since X12,
X13, and X23 are now calculated using fundamental strength data and hence
the need to perform any additional testing is avoided. However, there is little
data available to assess the validity of these assumptions and so the accuracy
of failure predictions obtained using this approach is unknown.
As discussed earlier, in most practical applications, composites are
subjected to a state of plane stress within the 12 plane. In this case, the
TsaiWu criterion reduces to:
X1 r11 X2 r22 X11 r211 X22 r222 X66 s212 2X12 r11 r22 < 1 62
Hence, in the plane stress case, six constants are involved, ve of which can
fT fC yT
be calculated using readily available strength data (r11 , r11 , r22 , etc.). Only
one problematic coecient remains, X12. This term can be determined using
or
8 9 8 9 8 9
>
> r11 >
> > rxx cos2 45j > > rxx =2 >
< = >
< >
= > < >
=
r22 rxx sin2 45j rxx =2
>
> >
> > > > >
: ; >
: >
; > : >
;
s12 rxx cos45jsin45j rxx =2
11 1500 MPa
rfT ryT
22 50 MPa sy12 75 MPa
11 1200 MPa
rfC ryC
22 100 MPa
or equivalently:
r11 rxx cos2 h
r22 rxx sin2 h 64
s12 rxx coshsinh
ryT 50 MPa
xx
rfT 66b
22
sin2 h sin2 h
sy12 75 MPa
rfT
66c
xx
coshsinh coshsinh
Compressive strength:
68
As previously noted, the TsaiHill criterion does not automatically account
for dierences in tensile and compressive strengths. A failure envelope for a
unidirectional graphiteepoxy composite will be generated using tensile or
compressive strengths, as appropriate. Thus, the tensile strength predicted by
the TsaiHill criterion is:
8 91=2
< cos2 hcos2 h sin2 h sin4 h cos2 hsin2 h >
> =
rfT
xx
>
: rfT
2 2
sf12
2 >
;
11 ryT
22
Substituting the strength values that have been assumed for graphiteepoxy,
we have:
( )1=2
cos2 h cos2 h sin2 h sin4 h cos2 hsin2 h
rxx
fT
1500 MPa2 50 MPa2 75 MPa2
69a
A failure envelope based on Eqs. (69a) and (69b) is shown in Fig. 17. As
before, it is important to realize that this failure envelope is valid for a uniaxial
state of stress only. Failure envelopes obtained using the TsaiHill criterion
but for other states of stress dier substantially from Fig. 17.
1 1 1 1 106
X1 fT
fC
r11 r11 1500 MPa 1200 MPa 6000 Pa
1 1 1015
X11
rfT fC
11 r11 1500 MPa1200 MPa 1800 Pa2
1 1 1 1 106
X2
ryT
22 ryC
22
50 MPa 100 MPa 100 Pa
1 1 1015
X22
ryT yC
22 r22
50 MPa100 MPa 5 Pa2
2 2
1 1 1012
X66 y
s12 75 MPa 5625 Pa2
The two roots of this expression are found to be (125.9106 Pa, 179.7106
Pa). Hence, the strengths predicted by the TsaiWu criterion for a 30j
graphiteepoxy specimen are:
xx 125:9 MPa
rfT
xx 179:7 MPa
rfC
A failure envelope based on the TsaiWu criterion for a unidirectional
graphiteepoxy laminate subjected to a uniaxial state of stress is shown in
Fig. 18. This gure is analogous to those obtained using the maximum stress
criterion and the TsaiHill criterion (Figs. 16 and 17, respectively). As before,
6.1.4 Comparison
The failure envelopes for uniaxial stress obtained on the basis of the three
failure criteria considered are compared directly in Fig. 19, and an expanded
view of just the rst quadrant is presented in Fig. 20. It is apparent that similar
predictions are obtained on the basis of all three criteria, although a
signicant numerical dierence occurs at low ber angles, near the region
at which the failure mode shifts from ber failure to shear matrix failure.
However, one should not conclude that the failure criterion described above
always leads to similar predictions. In fact, depending on the state of stress
considered, the predicted failure envelopes may dier substantially. One
stress state that exhibits this eect is the state of pure shear stress, considered
in the following subsection.
For 90j<h<0j:
rfC 1200 MPa
sPxy 11
74d
2 coshsinh 2 coshsinh
ryT 50 MPa
sPxy 22
74e
2 coshsinh 2 coshsinh
sy12 75 MPa
sPxy 74f
cos h sin h cos h sin2 h
2 2 2
77
Equating the left-hand side to unity and solving for sxy:
8 91=2
>
> >
>
>
> >
>
< 1 =
sxy
>
> cos4 h sin4 h >
>
> >
: 4 cos hsin h rfT 2 ryT 2 2sy 2
2
> 2 2 1 1
y 2 >
;
11 22 12 s 12
78
Numerical values for constants X1, X2, X11, etc., were calculated in Sec. 6.1.3
(based on strengths assumed for graphiteepoxy). Substituting these values in
the left-hand side of Eq. (79) and equating to unity, we obtain:
(
1012 4
s2xy 2
cos h sin4 h cos2 hsin2 h
5625Pa
" p 15 #)
67 1015 10 10 61 106
sxy coshsinh 1
150Pa2 75Pa2 3000
80
xy 95:2 MPa
sfP
xy 51:8 MPa
sfN
6.2.4 Comparisons
The failure envelopes for pure shear stress obtained on the basis of the three
failure criteria considered are compared directly in Fig. 25, and an expanded
view of just the rst quadrant is presented in Fig. 26. The dierence between
predictions obtained using the three failure criteria is more striking in pure
shear than was the case in uniaxial stress (e.g., compare Figs. 20 and 26).
Predictions on the basis of the TsaiHill and TsaiWu criteria are similar,
although some dierence exists. The maximum stress criterion predicts local
maximums in shear strength near ber angles of h=27j and 64j. These
maximums are associated with the previously noted change in failure mode,
from a shear failure mode to a matrix failure mode (or vice versa).
If the analysis requires the user to input numerical values for stresses, then
stresses must be input in pascals (not in MPa). A typical value would be
rxx=200106 Pa. If, instead, the analysis requires the user to input numerical
values for strains, then strains must be input in m/m (not in Am/m). A typical
value would be exx=2000106 m/m=0.002000 m/m. All temperatures
would be input in jC.
In contrast, if the English system of units was used, then the following
numerical values would be input for the same graphiteepoxy material
system:
E11 25:0 106 psi E22 1:5 106 psi v12 0:30
G12 1:9 106 psi
a11 0:5 106 in:=in:o F a22 15 106 in:=in:o F
b11 150:0 106 in:=in:%M b22 4800 106 in:=in:%M
If the analysis requires the user to input numerical values for stresses, then
stresses must be input in psi (not in ksi). A typical value would be rxx=30,000
psi. If, instead, the analysis requires the user to input numerical values for
HOMEWORK PROBLEMS
Notes: (a) In the following problems, the phrase by hand calculation means
that solutions are to be obtained using a calculator, pencil, and paper. (b)
Computer programs UNIDIR and/or UNIFAIL are referenced in many of
the following problems. As described in Sec. 7, these programs can be
downloaded from the following website: http://depts.washington.edu/
amtas/computer.html.
1. Calculate the reduced compliance matrix for the materials listed below,
rst by hand calculation and then using program UNIDIR. Use the
material properties listed in Table 3 of Chap. 3.
(a) Glass/epoxy.
(b) Kevlar/epoxy.
(c) Graphite/epoxy.
2. Calculate the reduced stiness matrix for the materials listed below, rst
by hand calculation and then using program UNIDIR. Use the material
properties listed in Table 3 of Chap. 3.
(a) Glass/epoxy.
(b) Kevlar/epoxy.
(c) Graphite/epoxy.
Determine the stresses (r11, r22, and s12), rst by hand calculation and
then using program UNIDIR. Use the material properties listed in
Table 3 of Chap. 3.
(a) Calculate the stresses (r11, r22, s12) induced by this change in
temperature, rst by hand calculation and then using
program UNIDIR.
(b) Predict whether the composite will fail based on the maxi-
mum stress failure criterion.
as shown in Fig. 29(a). The frame members are pinned at each corner.
Since the laminate is perfectly square, the angle dened by corners ABC
is initially 90j (precisely).
(c) Gxy.
(d) gxy,xx and gxy,yy.
(e) gxx,xy and gyy,xy.
(f ) axx, ayy, and axy.
(g) bxx, byy, and bxy.
23. On the same graph, plot failure envelopes for a unidirectional glass/
epoxy composite laminate for the following two conditions:
REFERENCES
1. Reuter, R.C. Concise property transformation relations for an anisotropic lami-
na. J. Compos. Mater., Vol. 5, April 1971, 270272.
2. Hill, R. The Mathematical Theory of Plasticity; New York, Oxford University
Press, 1998.
3. Tsai, S.W. Strength theories of lamentary structures. In: Fundamental Aspects
of Fiber Reinforced Plastic Composites; Schwartz, R.T., Schwartz, H.S., eds;
Wiley Interscience: New York, 1968; 311.
4. Tsai, S.W.; Wu, E.M. A general theory of strength for anisotropic materials. J.
Compos. Mater., Vol. 5, January 1971, 5880.
state within the plate. Furthermore, in this chapter, we will only consider
uniformly distributed loads. That is, we will assume that the loads are constant
and uniformly distributed along the edge of the plate. The more general case
in which loads vary along the edge of the plate will be considered in Chap. 10.
Six types of uniformly distributed loads that give rise to plane stress
conditions within the xy plane are shown in Fig. 2. All load components are
shown in an algebraically positive sense. Because the line-of-action of all load
vectors shown in Fig. 2 lies within the xy plane, these load components are
often referred to as in-plane loads.
First, consider load components Nxx, Nyy, and Nxy. Two subscripts are
used to identify these load components. The algebraic sense of each compo-
nent is interpreted in a manner analogous to that previously used to identify
the algebraic sense of individual stress components (discussed in Sec. 2.5).
That is, the rst subscript indicates the face of the plate a given load acts upon,
whereas the second subscript indicates the line of action of the load. A positive
load is one that:
Acts on a positive face and points in a positive coordinate direction,
or
Acts on a negative face and points in a negative coordinate direction.
The algebraic sense of normal loads Nxx and Nyy (Fig. 2a) is readily
apparent and intuitive: A positive (tensile) normal load is one that tends to
cause the plate to stretch. The algebraic sense of shear loads Nxy and Nyx (Fig.
2b) is not as immediately apparent, but application of the sign convention just
Figure 3 A prismatic beam with rectangular cross-section (compare with Fig. 1).
In an entirely equivalent manner, we can relate distributed forces Nyy and Nxy
to stresses ryy and sxy, respectively:
Z t=2
Nyy ryy dz 1b
t=2
Z t=2
Nxy sxy dz 1c
t=2
Equation (12) is the primary result we require for present purposes from
classical thin-plate theory. It allows us to calculate the innitesimal in-plane
strains (exx,eyy,cxy) induced at any position z through the thickness of the
plate, based on the midplane strains (eoxx ; eoyy ; coxy ) and midplane curvatures
(jxx,jyy,jxy). Note that this result is based strictly on the Kirchho hypoth-
esis. We have made no assumptions regarding the mechanism(s) that caused
the at plate to deform. Hence, Eq. (12) is valid if the plate is deformed by a
change in temperature, a change in moisture content, externally applied
mechanical loads, or any combination thereof. Also, we have made no
assumptions regarding material properties. Equation (12) is therefore valid
for isotropic, transversely isotropic, orthotropic, or anisotropic thin plates.
Example Problem 1
A thin plate with a thickness of 1 mm is subjected to mechanical loads, a
change in temperature, and a change in moisture content. Strain gages are
used to measure the surface strains induced in the plate. They are found to be:
at z t=2 0:5 mm : exx 250 Am=m; eyy 1500 Am=m; cxy 1000 Arad
at z t=2 0:5 mm : exx 250 Am=m; eyy 1100 Am=m; cxy 800 Arad
3 PRINCIPAL CURVATURES
In Sec. 2, we invoked the Kirchho hypothesis, according to which it is
assumed that a straight line that is initially perpendicular to the midplane of
the plate remains straight and perpendicular to the midplane after deforma-
tion. The Kirchho hypothesis has ultimately allowed us to calculate the in-
plane strains referenced to the xy coordinate system (exx, eyy, and cxy)
induced at any position z through the thickness of a thin plate, using either
Eq. (11) or Eq. (12). These equations are valid for any combination of
midplane strains (eoxx, eoyy, and coxy) and midplane curvatures (jxx, jyy, and jxy).
In this section, we will consider a special case. Specically, we will
consider a state of deformation in which the midplane strains are zero: eoxx
eoyy coxy 0. In this special case, Eq. (12) becomes:
8 9 8 9
< exx >
> = < jxx >
> =
eyy z jyy 13
>
: >
; >
: >
;
cxy jxy
system using Eq. (44) of Chap. 2 (developed in Sec. 13 of Chap. 2), repeated
here for convenience:
8 9 2 38 9
>
> ex Vx V >> cos2 a sin2 a 2cosa sina >
> exx >
>
>
< >
= 6 7>
< >
=
ey Vy V 6 7 eyy
6 sin2 a cos2 a 2cosa sina 7 2:44
>
> c >
> 4 5>
> c > >
>
: x Vy V >
; : xy >
> ;
2 cosa sina cosa sina cos a sin a
2 2
2
8 9 8 9
< ex Vx V = < jx Vx V =
ey Vy V z jy Vy V 14
:c ; : ;
x Vy V jx Vy V
where:
8 9 2 38 9
>
> jx Vx V >
> cos2 a sin2 a 2cosa sina >
> jxx >
>
< = 6 7 jyy =
<
jy Vy V
6 sin2 a cos2 a 2cosa sina 7 15
> 4
> jx Vy V >
>
5> j >
>
: ; : xy >;
2 cosa sina cosa sina cos a sin a
2 2
2
Note that midplane curvatures in the x VyV coordinate system are related to
curvatures in the xy coordinate system by means of the familiar transforma-
tion matrix [T]. This reveals that midplane curvatures can be treated as a
second-order tensor, and can be transformed from one coordinate system to
Substituting Eq. (13) into Eq. (48) of Chap. 2, we nd that the orientation of
the principal strain coordinate system is given by:
1 jxy
hpe arctan 17
2 jxx jyy
Noting that jxx, jyy, and jxy are midplane values, Eq. (16) shows that
principal strains are linear functions of z. In contrast, Eq. (17) shows that,
for the case of pure bending, the orientation of the principal strain coordinate
system is constant and does not vary with through-thickness position, even
though the principal strains do vary with z.
A simplied expression for the principal strains is obtained by writing
Eq. (16) as:
ep1 jp1
ep2 jp2 18
where jp1 and jp2 are called principal curvatures and are given by:
2 s 3
2
j j j j j 2
jp1 ; jp2 z4 5
xx yy xx yy xy
F 19
2 2 2
For the case of pure bending, the principal curvatures occur in the same
coordinate system as the principal strains. Hence, Eq. (17) gives the orienta-
tion of the coordinate system in which the principal curvatures exist. Because
shear strain is zero in the principal strains coordinate system, jp1p2=0 as well.
A physical interpretation of the preceding results can be obtained
through sketches of deformed strain elements parallel to the xy plane, as
between plies 1 and 2 is denoted z1, and z1=z0+t1. Similarly, the coordinate
position of the interface between plies 2 and 3 is denoted z2, and z2=z1+t2,
etc. For an n-ply laminate, the outermost surface of the laminate in the
positive z-direction is will be labeled zn; obviously, zn=+t/2. Note that in all
cases, zn is an algebraically positive number. Also note that the total thickness
of the laminate equals (znz0), and the thickness of an individual ply k is
tk=(zkzk1). For example, the thickness of ply 2 is t2=(z2z1).
We also need a method of consistently describing the stacking sequence
of a composite laminate. That is, we need to develop a method of indicating
the orientation of the principal material coordinate system of each ply with
respect to the x-axis, and the order in which they appear. As discussed in
previous chapters, a ply may contain unidirectional bers, or may consist of a
woven or braided fabric. In these latter two cases, there are two or more ber
directions present within each ply, although the orientation of the principal
material coordinate system is always evident due to the symmetrical pattern of
the ber architecture. For simplicity in the following discussion, it will be
assumed that all plies are composed of unidirectional bers. In this case, the
angle between the principal material coordinate system and the x-axis is
equivalent to the angle between the bers and the x-axis. Hence, in the
discussion to follow, we will simply refer to the ber angle in each ply. It
should be understood that this angle actually refers to the orientation of the
principal material coordinate system. This terminology is adopted simply
0j; 30j; 30j; 90j; 0j; 30j; 30j; 90j; 45j; 20j; 45j; 90j; 30j; 30j; 0j; 90j; 30j; 30j; 0
z z z
ply 1 ply 10 ply 19
midplane
The laminate contains a total of 19 plies, the ber angles appear symmetrically
about the midplane of the laminate, and the midplane passes through the
center of the 20j ply. Because all plies are made of the same composite
material system, they all have the same thickness. The total laminate thickness
is therefore t = 19 (0.125 mm)=2.375 mm.
Ply interface positions are:
Note that the total laminate thickness equals the dierence between z19
and z0, as expected: t=z19z0=1.1875 mm(1.1875 mm)=2.375 mm.
Note that these strains are referenced to the xy coordinate system. If desired,
these strains can be rotated from the xy coordinate system to the local 12
coordinate system for each ply (dened by the ply ber angle) using Eq. (44) of
Chap. 2:
8 9 8 9
< e11 =
:
e22
; j
c12 =2 z zk
Tk
< exx =
:
eyy
; j
cxy =2 zzk
2 38 9
j
cos2 h sin2 h 2cosh sinh e
< xx >
> =
6 7
4 sin2 h cos2 h 2cosh sinh 5 eyy
>
: >
;
cosh sinh cosh sinh cos2 h sin2 h k cxy =2 z zk
Ply Stresses: Once ply strains are determined, ply stresses are calculated
using Hookes law, as discussed in Sec. 5.2. For example, the stresses induced
at a distance zk from the laminate midplane are calculated using Eq. (30) of
Chap. 5:
8 9 2 3 8 9
> rxx > Q11 Q12 Q16 > exx DTaxx DMbxx >
>
< >
= >
< >
=
6 7
ryy 6
4 Q12 Q22 Q26 5 7 eyy DTayy DMbyy
> > > >
>
: ;
> >
: ;
>
sxy zz k
Q16 Q26 Q66 zz cxy DTaxy DMbxy z z
k k
Note that the material properties used in this calculation (specically, Q , aij,
and bij) are properties of the ply that exists at position zk, and in particular are
j j
< r11 = < rxx =
r Tzzk ryy
: 22 ; : ;
s12 zzk sxy zzk
A numerical example that illustrates these calculations is presented in
the following Sample Problem.
Sample Problem 3
Assume that the panel considered in Sample Problem 1 is actually an eight-ply
[0/30/90/30]s graphiteepoxy laminate. Assume that the laminate was
initially at and stress-free (i.e., ignore possible preexisting stresses/strains
due to temperature and/or moisture changes). Determine the strains and
stresses induced at each ply interface. Use material properties listed in Table 3
of Chap. 3, and assume that the thickness of each ply is 0.125 mm.
Solution. From Sample Problem 1, the midplane strains and curvatures are:
eoxx 0 Am=m jxx 0:50 rad=m
eoyy 1300 Am=m jyy 0:40 rad=m
coxy 900 Arad jxy 0:20 rad=m
To determine ply interface positions, rst note that the total laminate
thickness is:
t 8 plies0:125 mm 1:0 mm 0:001 m
A total of nine ply interface positions must be determined because there are
eight plies in the laminate. Following the numbering scheme discussed in Sec.
4 and referring to Fig. 11, ply interface positions are:
z0=t/2=(0.001 m)=0.000500 m
z1=z0+t1=0.000500 m+0.000125 m=0.000375 m
z2=z1+t2=0.000375 m+0.000125 m=0.000250 m
z3=z2+t3=0.000250 m+0.000125 m=0.000125 m
z4=z3+t4=.000125 m+0.000125 m=0.000000 m
z5=z4+t5=0.000000 m+0.000125 m=0.000125 m
z6=z5+t6=0.000125 m+0.000125 m=0.000250 m
z7=z6+t7=0.000250 m+0.000125 m=0.000375 m
z8=z7+t7=0.000375 m+0.000125 m=0.000500 m
j
>e e j > 0 > 0:50 rad=m >
< xx>
= >
< xx >
= >
< xx>= >
< >
= >
< =
eyy eoyy z0 jyy 1300 106 m=m 0:000500 m 0:40 rad=m
: >
> ; : o >
> ; : >
> ; >
> >
> >
: >
;
: ;
cxy zz0 cxy jxy 900 106 m=m 0:20 rad=m
8 9 8 9
j
< exx = < 250 Am=m >
> =
eyy 1500 Am=m
: ; >
: >
;
cxy zz 1000 Arad
0
Similarly, strains present at the interface between plies 1 and 2 (i.e., strains
present at z1=0.000375 m) are:
8 9 8 o 9 8 9 8 9 8 9
j
> e > e > j 0 0:50 rad=m >
< xx >= >
< xx > = >
< xx >= >
< >
= >
< =
eyy eoyy z1 jyy 1300 106 m=m 0:000375 m 0:40 rad=m
>
: > ; >
> > > >
: > ; >
: >
; >
: >
;
cxy zz1 : coxy ; jxy 900 106 m=m 0:20 rad=m
8 9 8 9
Strains present at all remaining interfaces are calculated in exactly the same
fashion. Strains calculated at all ply interfaces are summarized in Table 1 and
are plotted in Fig. 13. Note that all three strain components (exx, eyy, and cxy)
are predicted to be linearly distributed through the plate thickness. This linear
distribution is a direct consequence of the Kirchho hypothesis, which is a
good approximation as long as the plate is thin. In fact, identical strain
distributions would be predicted for any thin plate subjected to the midplane
strains and curvatures specied in Sample Problem 1. For example, we would
predict the identical strains if an aluminum plate were under consideration
rather than a laminated composite plate.
The strains listed in Table 1 and plotted in Fig. 13 are referenced to the
global xy coordinate system. As will be seen, knowledge of ply strains
referenced to the local 12 coordinate system (dened by the ber angle within
each ply) is often required. Transformation of the strain tensor from one
j j
> cos2 h1 sin2 h1 2 cos h1 sin h1 > exx > ply 1
< e11 > = 6 7< =
e22 6
4 sin 2
h cos 2
h 2 cos h sin h 7
15
e yy
>
: >
;
1 1 1
>
: >
;
c12 =2 z z0 cos h1 sin h1 cos h1 sin h1 cos h1 sin h1
2 2 cxy =2 z z0
8 9 ply 1 2 38 9
j j
> 250 Am=m > ply1
< e11 > = 1 0 0 > < =
6 7
e22 40 1 0 5 1500 Am=m
>
: >
; >
: >
;
c12 =2 z z0 0 0 1 1000 Arad=2 z z0
8 9 ply 1 8 9 ply 1
j j
> cos2 h1 sin2 h1 2cos h1 sin h1
< e11 > = 6 7
>
< exx >=
e22 6
4 sin2 h1 cos2 h1 2cos h1 sin h1 7
5>
eyy
>
: >
; : >
;
c12 =2 z z1 cos h sin h cos h1 sin h1
2 2 cxy =2 z z1
1 1 cos h1 sin h1
8 9 ply 1 2 38 9
j j
> 188 Am=m > ply 1
< e11 > = 1 0 0 > < =
6 7
e22 4 0 1 0 5 1450 Am=m
>
: >
; >
: >
;
c12 =2 z z1 0 0 1 975 Arad=2 z z1
8 9 ply 1 8 9 ply 1
Ply 2. In this case, h2=30j and consequently the description of strain in the
xy and 12 coordinate systems diers substantially. Applying Eq. (44) of
Chap. 2, we have:
Top interface:
8 9 ply 2 2 38 9
j j
> e > cos2 h2 sin2 h2 2 cos h2 sin h2 > exx > ply 2
< 11 = 6 7 < =
e22 6
4 sin2 h2 cos2 h2 2 cos h2 sin h2 7
5
eyy
>
: >
; >
: >
;
c12 =2 z z1 cos h sin h cos h sin h cos2 h sin2 h cxy =2 z z1
2 2 2 2 2 2
8 9 ply 2 2 3
j
> cos2 30j sin2 30j 2 cos30j sin30j
< e11 > = 6 7
e22 6
4 sin2 30j cos2 30j 2 cos30j sin30j 7
5
>
: >
;
c12 =2 z z1 cos30j sin30j cos30j sin30j cos 30j sin 30j
2 2
8 9
j
> 188 Am=m > ply 2
< =
1450 Am=m
>
: >
;
975 Arad=2 z z1
8 9 ply 2 2 38 9
j j
> 188 Am=m > ply 2
< e11 > = 0:750 0:250 0:866 > < =
6 7
e22 4 0:250 0:750 0:866 5 1450 Am=m
>
: >
; >
: >
;
c12 =2 z z1 0:433 0:433 0:500 975 Arad=2 z z1
8 9 ply 2 8 9 ply 2
j j
> e > cos2 h2 sin2 h2 2 cos h2 sin h2 > exx > ply 2
< 11 = 6 7 e =
<
e22 6
4 sin2 h2 cos2 h2 2 cos h2 sin h2 75>
yy
>
: >
; :c =2>;
c12 =2 z z2 cos h sin h cos h2 sin h2 cos2 h2 sin2 h2 xy
z z2
2 2
8 9ply 2 2 3
> cos2 30j sin2 30j 2 cos30j sin30j
< e11 > = 6 7
e22 6
4 sin2 30j cos2 30j 2 cos30j sin30j 7
5
>
: ;
>
c12 =2 z z2 cos30j sin30j cos30j sin30j cos2 30j sin2 30j
8 9
j
> 125 Am=m > ply 2
< =
1400 Am=m
>
: >
;
950 Arad=2 z z2
8 9 ply 2 2 38 9
j j
> 125 Am=m > ply 2
< e11 > = 0:750 0:250 0:866 > < =
6 7
e22 4 0:250 0:750 0:866 5 1400 Am=m
>
: >
; >
: >
;
c12 =2 z z2 0:433 0:433 0:500 950 Arad=2 z z2
8 9 ply 2 8 9 ply 2
Ply number z-coordinate (mm) e11 (Am/m) e22 (Am/m) c12 (Arad)
j j j
>
< rxx >= Q11 Q12 Q16 ply 1 > < exx >
=
6 7
ryy 4 Q12 Q22 Q26 5 eyy
>
: >
; >
:c > ;
sxy z z0 Q Q Q z z0 xy z z0
16 26 66
8 9 ply 1 2 38 9
j
> 170:9 109 3:016 109 0 > 250 Am=m >
<rxx >= 6 7< =
ryy 6
4 3:016 10
9
10:05 109 0 7 1500 Am=m
5>
: >
> ; : >
;
sxy z z0 0 0 13:00 109 1000 Arad
8 9 ply 1 8 9
j
< rxx >
> = < 38:2 MPa >
> =
ryy 14:3 MPa
>
: >
; >
: >
;
sxy z z0 13 MPa
To calculate stresses at the interface between plies 1 and 2 (i.e., at z1 =
0.000375 m), we must specify whether we are interested in the stresses within
ply 1 or ply 2. That is, according to our idealized model, a ply interface is
treated as a plane of discontinuity in material properties. Ply 1 ends at z =
z1(), whereas ply 2 begins at z=z1(+). Hence, the stresses within ply 1 at z =
z1() are:
9 ply 1 2 Q 3
j
8 Q12 Q16 ply 1 8 9
j j
> r > 11 > exx >
< xx = 6 7 < =
ryy 64
Q12 Q22 Q26 7
5 e yy
>
: >
; >
: >
;
sxy z z1 Q16 Q26 Q66 cxy z z1
z z1
8 9 ply 1 2 38 9
j
> 170:9 109 3:016 109 0 188 Am=m >
<rxx >= 6 7
>
< =
ryy 6
4 3:016 10
9
10:05 109 0 7 1450 Am=m
5>
>
: ; > : >
;
sxy z z1 0 0 13:00 109 975 Arad
8 9 ply 1 8 9
j
>
< rxx >
= < 27:8 MPa >
> =
ryy 14:0 MPa
>
: >
; >
: >
;
sxy z z1 12:7 MPa
The stresses within ply 2 (a 30j ply) at z=z1(+) are:
8 9 ply 2 2 3 8 9
j j j
> Q11 Q12 Q16 ply 2 > exx >
< rxx >= 6 7 < =
ryy 6 Q
4 12 Q Q 7
26 5 e yy
>
: >
;
22
>
: >
;
sxy z z1 Q16 Q26 Q66 z z1 cxy z z1
j
>
2 107:6 109 26:06 109 48:3 109 > 188 Am=m >
<rxx >= 6 7
>
< >
=
ryy 6 21:52 109 7 1450 Am=m
4 26:06 10 27:22 109
9
> 5>
: sxy >
; > 975 Arad >
9 :
>
;
z z1 48:3 109 21:52 109 36:05 10
8 9 ply 2 8 9
j
>
< rxx >
= >
< 29:5 MPa >
=
ryy 13:6 MPa
>
: >
; >
: >
;
sxy z z1 13:0 MPa
Stresses are calculated at all remaining ply interfaces in exactly the same
fashion. Ply interface stresses are summarized in Table 3 and are plotted in
Fig. 15. Obviously, stresses are not linearly distributed through the thickness
of the laminate, even when referenced to the global xy coordinate system. In
general, all stress components exhibit a sudden discontinuous change at all ply
interface positions. The abrupt
change
in stresses at ply interfaces is due to the
discontinuous change in the Q matrix from one ply to the next. In turn, the
discontinuous change in Q occurs because the ber angle (in general)
changes from one ply to the next. Indeed, in this example problem, the same
ber angle occurs in only two adjacent plies (namely, plies 4 and 5, both of
which have a ber angle of 30j), and inspection of Fig. 15 shows that the
8 9ply 2 2 38 9
<r11= cos2 h2 sin2 h2 2 cos h2 sin h2 < rxx =ply 2
6 7
r22 4 sin2 h2 cos2 h2 2 cos h2 sin h2 5 ryy
: ; : ;
s12 z z1 cos h2 sin h2 cos h2 sin h2 cos2 h2 sin2 h2 sxy z z1
8 9ply 2 2 3
< r11 = cos2 30j sin2 30j 2 cos30j sin30j
6 7
r 4 sin2 30j cos2 30j 2 cos30j sin30j 5
: 22 ;
s12 z z1 cos30j sin30j cos30j sin30j cos2 30j sin2 30j
8 9ply 2
< 29:3 MPa =
13:6 MPa
: ;
13:0 MPa z z1
8 9ply 2 2 38 9
< r11 = 0:750 0:250 0:866 < 29:3 MPa =ply 2
r 4 0:250 0:750 0:866 5 13:6 MPa
: 22 ; : ;
s12 z z1 0:433 0:433 0:500 13:0 MPa z z1
8 9ply 2 8 9ply 2
< r11 = < 29:8 MPa =
r22 14:1 MPa
: ; : ;
s12 z z1 12:1 MPa z z1
The composite laminate consists of n plies, and the ber angle may vary from
one ply to the next. The stresses in any ply (say, in ply number k) are related to
ply strains in accordance with Eq. (30) of Chap. 5, which, for DT=DM=0,
becomes:
8 9 2 3 8 9
< rxx >
> = Q11 Q12 Q16 > < exx >
=
6 7
ryy 4 Q21 Q22 Q26 5 eyy 20
>
: >
; >
: >
;
sxy k Q Q Q cxy k
61 62 66 k
The strains induced in ply k can be related to the midplane strains and
curvatures via the Kirchho hypothesis, in accordance with Eq. (11) or Eq.
(12). Substituting Eqs. (11) and (12) into Eq. (21), we obtain:
Z t=2 n o
Nxx Q11 eoxx Q12 eoyy Q16 coxy zQ11 jxx zQ12 jyy zQ16 jxy dz
t=2
22
We cannot integrate Eq. (22) directly because the integrand is a discontinuous
function of z. That is, the transformed reduced stiness terms Q11 , Q12 , and
Q16 are all directly related to the ply material properties and ber angle h (see
Eq. (31) of Chap. 5). Because the ply material and/or ber angle may change
from one ply to the next, the transformed reduced stiness terms also change,
and hence are discontinuous functions of z. Note, however, that the midplane
strains and curvatures are not functions of z, but instead are constants for a
given laminate. Hence, they may be brought out from under the integral sign.
Equation (15) can therefore be broken into six individual integrals:
Z t=2 Z t=2
Nxx exxo
Q11 k dz eyy
o
Q12 k dz
t=2 t=2
Z Z
t=2
t=2
coxy Q16 k
dz jxx Q11 k
dz 23
t=2 t=2
Z t=2
jyy z Q12 k dz jxy z Q16 k dz
t=2
Because the transformed stiness terms are constant over each ply thickness,
each of the six integrals in Eq. (23) can be evaluated in a piecewise fashion:
Z Z Z
z1 z2 z3
Nxx exx Q11 1 dz Q11 2 dz Q11 3 dz : : :
o
z0 z1 z2
Z Z
zn1 zn
Q11 n1
dz Q11 n
dz
zn2 zn1
Although Eq. (24) may appear daunting at rst, closer inspection reveals that
evaluation of Eq. (24) is actually a simple matter. All integrals that appear in
Eq. (24) are of one of the following two forms, both of which are easily
evaluated:
Z zk
dz zk zk1
zk1
or
Z zk
1 2
zdz z z2k1
zk1 2 k
Hence, evaluating all integrals that appear in Eq. (24), we obtain:
n
Nxx eoxx Q11 1 z1 z0 Q11 2 z2 z1 Q11 3 z3 z2 : : :
o
Q11 n zn zn1
n
eoyy Q12 1 z1 z0 Q12 2 z2 z1 Q12 3 z3 z2 : : :
1 n
jyy Q12 1 z21 z20 Q12 2 z22 z21 Q12 3 z23 z22
2
2 o
:: Q
: z z2
12 n n n1
1 n
jxy Q16 1 z21 z20 Q16 2 z22 z21 Q16 3 z23 z22
2
o
. . . Q16 n z2n z2n1 25
1X n
2
Bij Q z z2k1 27b
2 k1 ij k k
Each strain that appears in Eq. (29) can be related to the midplane strains and
curvatures via the Kirchho hypothesis. Hence, substituting either Eq. (11) or
Eq. (12), we have:
Z t=2 n o
Mxx zQ11 eoxx zQ12 eoyy zQ16 coxy z2 Q11 jxx z2 Q12 jyy z2 Q16 jxy dz
t=2
30
Equation (30) is similar to Eq. (22). Once again, this integral cannot be
evaluated directly because the integrand is a discontinuous function of z.
However, (a) noting that the midplane strains and curvatures are not
functions of z and can be brought outside the integral sign, and then (b)
evaluating the integral in a piecewise fashion through the thickness of the
laminate, we obtain:
Z Z Z
z1 z2 z3
Mxx exx Q11 1 zdz Q11 2 zdz Q11 3 zdz : : : :
o
z0 z1 z2
Z Z
zn1 zn
Q11 n1
zdz Q11 n
zdz
zn2 zn1
Z z1 Z z2 Z
z3
eoyy Q12 1
zdz Q12 2
zdz Q12 3
zdz : : : :
z0 z1 z2
Z Z
zn1 zn
Q12 n1
zdz Q12 n
zdz
zn2 zn1
Z Z Z
z1 z2 z3
coxy Q16 1
zdz Q16 2
zdz Q16 3 zdz : : : :
z0 z1 z2
The piecewise integrals that appear in Eq. (31) are of one of the following two
forms, both of which are easily evaluated:
Z zk
1
zdz z2k z2k1
zk1 2
or
Z zk
1 3
z2 dz zk z3k1
zk1 3
1 o n
Mxx exx Q11 1 z21 z20 Q11 2 z22 z21 Q11 3 z23 z22
2
2 o
: : : : Q z z2
11 n n n1
1 n
eoyy Q12 1 z21 z20 Q12 2 z22 z21 Q12 3 z23 z22
2
o
: : : Q12 n z2n z2n1
:
1 n
coxy Q16 1 z21 z20 Q16 2 z22 z21 Q16 3 z23 z22
2
o
: : : Q16 n z2n z2n1
:
1 n
jyy Q12 1 z31 z30 Q12 2 z32 z31 Q12 3 z33 z32
3
3 o
::: Q
: z z3
12 n n n1
1 n
jxy Q16 1 z31 z30 Q16 2 z32 z31 Q16 3 z33 z32
3
o
: : : : Q16 n z3n z3n1 32
The rst three quantities on the right-hand side of the equality sign involve the
previously dened terms B11, B12, and B16. We now dene three new terms,
associated with the last three quantities:
1 n
D11 Q11 1 z31 z30 Q11 2 z32 z31 Q11 3 z33 z32 : : : :
3
o
Q11 n z3n z3n1
1 n
D12 Q12 1 z31 z30 Q12 2 z32 z31 Q12 3 z33 z32 : : : :
3
o
Q12 n z3n z3n1
1 n
D16 Q16 1 z31 z30 Q16 2 z32 z31 Q16 3 z33 z32 : : : :
3
o
Q16 n z3n z3n1
Mxy B61 eoxx B62 eoyy B66 coxy D61 jxx D62 jyy D66 jxy 33c
The Bij terms that appear in Eqs. (33a) (33b) (33c) have been previously
encountered and are given by Eq. (27b). The new terms Dij are given by:
1X n
Dij Qij k z3k z3k1 34
3 k1
a b A B 1
b d B D
Methods of inverting the [ABD] matrix analytically are discussed in
several composite texts, including Refs. 1, 2, and 3. However, in practice, the
ABD matrix is most often inverted numerically with the aid of a digital
The reader should carefully inspect the subscripts used in Eq. (38). Note that
the [abd] matrix is symmetrical. Furthermore, the individual 3 3 matrices
that appear in the upper left-hand quadrant and lower right-hand quadrant of
the [abd] matrix, aij and dij, respectively, are also symmetrical. However, the
3 3 matrix that appears in the upper right-hand quadrant is not symmetrical
(b12 p b21, b16 p b61, and b26 p b62). Also, the 3 3 matrix in the lower left-
hand quadrant is the transpose of the 3 3 matrix that appears in the upper
right-hand quadrant.
Example Problem 4
Determine the [ABD] and [abd] matrices for a [30/0/90]T graphite-epoxy
laminate. Use material properties listed for graphite-epoxy in Table 3 of
Chap. 3, and assume that each ply has a thickness of 0.125 mm.
Solution. A side view of the laminate is shown in Fig. 17. The total laminate
thickness t = 3 (0.125 mm) = 0.375 mm. Because all three plies are of the
same material, the thickness of each ply is identical: t1 = t2 = t3 = 0.125 mm.
We will also require the transformed reduced stiness matrix for each ply.
Elements of the [Q]k matrices are calculated using Eq. (31) of Chap. 5* and are
equal to:
For ply 1 (the 30j ply):
2 3
Q11 Q12 Q16
6 7
6 7
Q 30j ply
6 Q12 Q22 Q26 7
4 5
Q16 Q26 Q66
2 3
107:6 109 26:06 109 48:13 109
6 7
6
4 26:06 10
9
27:22 109 21:52 109 7
5Pa
48:13 109 21:52 109 36:05 109
2 3
Q11 Q12 Q16
6 7
6 7
Q 0B ply
6 Q12 Q22 Q26 7
4 5
Q16 Q26 Q66
2 3
107:9 109 3:016 109 0
6 7
64 3:016 10 10:05 10
9 9
0 7Pa
5
0 0 13:00 109
* The Q matrix for a 30j graphite-epoxy ply was calculated as a part of Example Problem 5.6
of Chap. 5.
0:0001875 0:0000625
A11 36:07 106 Pa m
The remaining elements of the Aij matrix are found in similar fashion:
2 3
36:07 4:012 6:016
6 7
Aij 4 4:012 26:02 2:690 5 106 Pa m
6:016 2:690 7:756
. Using Eq. (27b), element B11 is calculated as follows:
1X 3
2
B11 Q z z2k1
2 k 1 11 k k
1 h
i
B11 Q11 1 z21 z20 Q11 2 z22 z21 Q11 3 z23 z22
2
1 h
n o
B11 107:6 109 :00006252 0:00018752
2
n o
170:9 109 0:00006252 0:00006252
n oi
10:05 109 0:00018752 0:00006252
The remaining elements of the Bij matrix are found in similar fashion:
2 3
1:524 0:3601 0:7521
6 7
Bij 4 0:3601 2:245 0:3362 5 103 Pa m2
0:7521 0:3362 0:3601
In passing, in this example, it appears that B12 is numerically equal to B66. This
is not true, in general. In this problem, the apparent numerical equivalence is
due to the fact that only four signicant digits have been used. Nevertheless,
for laminates produced using a single material system, it is often (but not
always) the case that B12 c B66. This common occurrence can be traced to the
fact the functional form and magnitude of Q 12 and Q 66 are similar (see Eq.
(31) of Chap. 5). Because B12 and B66 are directly related to Q12 and Q66,
respectively, their values are often nearly identical. Also, in Sec. 6.2, it will be
seen that all elements within the Bij matrix are zero for symmetrical laminates.
Hence, for symmetrical laminates, these two terms are, in fact, numerically
equal, that is, B12=B66=0 for symmetrical laminates.
. Using Eq. (34), element D11 is calculated as follows:
1X 3
D11 Q11 k z3k z3k 1
3 k1
1 h
i
D11 Q11 1 z31 z30 Q11 2 z32 z31 Q11 3 z33 z32
3
1 h
n o
D11 107:6 109 :00006253 0:00018753
3
n o
170:9 109 0:00006253 0:00006253
n oi
10:05 109 0:00018753 0:00006253
D11 0:2767 Pa m3
The remaining elements of the Dij matrix are found in similar fashion:
2 3
0:2767 0:0620 0:1018
6 7
Dij 6
4 0:0620 2:513 0:0455 7
5 Pa m
3
The [abd] matrix is obtained by inverting the [ABD] matrix, and is found
to be:
2 3
3:757 108 1:964 109 1:038 108 1:440 104 3:905 106 8:513 105
6 7
6 1:964 109 1:037 107 4:234 108 1:866 105 6:361 104 4:268 104 7
6 7
6 7
6 5 7
6 1:038 108 4:234 108 2:004 107 3:661 104 3:251 104 1:851 10 7
6 7
abd 6 7
6 1:440 104 1:866 105 3:661 104 7:064 3:122 102 4:572 7
6 7
6 7
6 3:905 106 6:361 104 3:251 104 3:122 102 3:620 7
6 6:429 7
4 5
8:513 105 4:268 104 1:851 105 4:572 3:620 17:41
Example Problem 5
A [30/0/90]T graphite-epoxy laminate is subjected to the following stress and
moment resultants:
Nxx 50 kN=m Nyy 10 kN=m Nxy 0 N=m
Mxx 1 N m=m Myy 1 N m=m Mxy 0 N m=m
Determine the following quantities caused by these stress and moment
resultants:
(a) Midplane strains and curvatures
(b) Ply strains relative to the xy coordinate system
(c) Ply stresses relative to the xy coordinate system.
Use material properties listed for graphite-epoxy in Table 3 of Chap. 3
and assume that each ply has a thickness of 0.125 mm.
Solution. Note that this is the same laminate considered in Example
Problem 4. A side view of the laminate appears in Fig. 17.
(a) Midplane strains and curvatures. The [abd] matrix for this laminate
was calculated as a part of Example Problem 4. Hence, midplane strains
j
> e > 14:48 rad=m >
< exx >
= < xx >
> = < jxx = >
< >
= >
< =
eyy eoyy z0 jyy 518 106 m=m 0:0001875m 0:096 rad=m
>
:c > ; >
: o ; > : ; >
> >
> >
: >
;
jxy : ; 1:328 rad=m
xy
z z0
cxy 55 106 m=m
8 9
j
8 9
< exx = < 677 Am=m >
> =
e 536 Am=m
: yy ; >
: >
;
cxy 194 Arad
z z0
j j j
>
< rxx >= Q11 Q12 Q16 ply 1 8 9
< exx =
6 7
ryy 4 Q12 Q22 Q26 5 eyy
>
: >
; :c ;
sxy z z0 xy
Q16 Q26 Q66 z z0 z z0
8 9 ply 1 2 38 9
j
> 107:6 109 26:06 109 48:13 109 > 677 106 >
< rxx >= < =
6 7
ryy 4 26:06 109 27:22 109 21:52 109 5 536 106
>
: >
; >
: >
;
sxy z z0 48:13 109 21:52 109 36:05 109 194 106
8 9 ply 1 8 9
Ply number z-coordinate (mm) rxx (MPa) ryy (MPa) sxy (MPa)
The rst integral on the right-hand side of the equality sign is identical to Eq.
(21), and after evaluation (using the same techniques as previously described)
will result in Eq. (26a). The second and third integrals were not previously
encountered because they involve DT and DM, which were previously
assumed to equal zero. Using methods similar to those used previously, it
can be shown that the second integral may be written as:
Z t=2
DT Q11 axx Q12 ayy Q16 cxy k dz
t=2
X
n
DT Q11 axx Q12 ayy Q16 axy k zk zk1
k1
T
This quantity is called a thermal stress resultant, and will be denoted Nxx .
That is,
Xn
NTxx DT Q11 axx Q12 ayy Q16 axy k zk zk1 41a
k1
This result should be compared to Eq. (26a). It will be seen that the inclusion
of temperature and/or moisture changes has resulted in the addition of two
new terms (NTxx and NM xx); otherwise, our earlier results remain unchanged.
If an analogous procedure is now followed for the remaining stress and
moment resultants, using Eqs. (1b), (1c), (2a), (2b), and (2c), ve additional
thermal stress/moment resultants and ve additional moisture stress/moment
resultants will be identied, as follows:
X n
NTyy u DT Q12 axx Q22 ayy Q26 axy k zk zk1 41b
k1
Xn
NTxy u DT Q16 axx Q26 ayy Q66 axy k zk zk1 41c
k1
DT Xn
MTxx u Q11 axx Q12 ayy Q16 axy k z2k z2k1 41d
2 k1
DT Xn
MTyy u Q12 axx Q22 ayy Q26 axy k z2k z2k1 41e
2 k1
DT X n
MTxy u Q16 axx Q26 ayy Q66 axy k z2k z2k1 41f
2 k1
Xn n o
NM
yy u DM Q12 bxx Q22 byy Q26 bxy k zk zk1 42b
k1
Xn n o
xy u DM
NM Q16 bxx Q26 byy Q66 bxy k zk zk1 42c
k1
Xn n o
DM
xx u
MM Q11 bxx Q12 byy Q16 bxy k z2k z2k1 42d
2 k1
n n o
DM X
MM
yy u Q12 bxx Q22 byy Q26 bxy k z2k z2k1 42e
2 k1
n n o
DM X
MM
xy u Q16 bxx Q26 byy Q66 bxy k z2k z2k1 42f
2 k1
44
Equation (44) is comparable to Eq. (36), except we have now included the
eects due to a change in temperature and/or moisture content. Equation (44)
can be viewed as Hookes law for a composite laminate, in the sense that it
may be used to relate stresslike quantities (i.e., stress and moment resultants)
to strainlike quantities (i.e., midplane strains and curvatures). Inverting Eq.
(44), we obtain:
8 o 9 2 38 9
> exx > a11 a12 a16 b11 b12 b16 > Nxx NTxx NM xx >
>
> >
> 6 7>
> >
>
> > 6 a12 >
> N NT NM >
>
>
> eoyy >
>
> 6 a22 a26 b21 b22 b26 7
7>
> yy >
>
>
>
> >
> 6 7>
>
yy yy >
>
> >
< co = 6 a16 >
< N NT NM > =
6 a26 a66 b61 b62 b66 7
7 xy
xy
6 7
xy xy
45
>j >
> > 6 b11 d16 7> M MT MM >
>
> xx >
> 6 b21 b61 d11 d12 7>
>
> xx xx
>
xx >
>
>
> >
> 6 7>
> >
>
> j >
> 6 b12 d26 7>
> M >>
yy >
> yy
> 4 b22 b62 d12 d22 >
5> M M T
M >
>
: >
; :
yy yy
M ;
>
jxy b16 b26 b66 d16 d26 d66 M xy M T
xy M xy
where, as before:
1
a b A B
b d B D
* Determination of the stress-free temperature is actually more complex than is implied here.
It is true that thermal stresses begin to develop as cooldown begins, but because polymeric
materials exhibit viscoelastic characteristics at these elevated temperatures, the matrix will
creep, initially relieving thermal stresses somewhat. As temperature is decreased further, the
viscoelastic nature of the matrix is rapidly decreased, and thermal stresses develop as described.
A second factor is that all polymers exhibit some shrinkage during the polymerization process
(see Sec. 1.2), and this shrinkage results in additional stresses similar to thermal stresses. As a
rule of thumb, the stress-free temperature is often estimated to be 2050jC below the nal cure
temperature. Nevertheless, this complication will be ignored in this text; it will be assumed that
the nal cure temperature denes the stress-free temperature.
The eective thermal expansion coecients for each ply are calculated using
Eq. (25) of Chap. 5, repeated here for convenience:
axx a11 cos2 h a22 sin2 h
ayy a11 sin2 h a22 cos2 h 5:25
axy 2coshsinha11 a22
From Table 3 of Chap. 3, the thermal expansion coecients for graphite-
epoxy (relative to the 12 coordinate system) are a11 = 0.9 Am/m jC and
a22 = 27Am/m jC. Therefore:
For ply 1 (the 30j ply):
axx
1
0:9 Am=m B C cos2 30B 27 Am=m B C sin2 30B
6:08 Am=m B C
ayy1 0:9 Am=m B C sin2 30B 27 Am=m B C cos2 30B
20:0 Am=m B C
axy1 2cos30 sin300:9 27Am=m B C 24:2 Arad=B C
For ply 2 (the 0j ply):
axx
2
0:9 Am=m B C cos2 0B 27 Am=m B C sin2 0B
0:9 Am=m B C
ayy2 0:9 Am=m B C sin2 0B 27 Am=m B C cos2 0B
27:0 Am=m B C
axy2 2cos0B sin0B 0:9 27Am=m B C 0 Arad=B C
8 o 9 8 9
> exx > > 285 Am=m >
>
> o > > >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> 1424 Am=m >
>
>
> e >
yy > >
> >
>
< o = < 908 Arad >
> > > =
cxy
>
> jxx >> >
> 2:16 m1 >>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> 1 >
>
>
> j yy > >
> :
> 10:9 m >
>
: ; 1
;
jxy 9:4 m
(b) Ply strains relative to the xy coordinate system. Ply strains may now be
calculated using Eq. (12). For example, strains present at the outer surface of
ply 1 (i.e., strains present at zo=0.0001875 m) are:
8 9 8 o 9 8 9 8 9
6
< 285 10 m=m >
> e e
< xx > >
< xx > >
< xx >= >
j
= = =
eyy eoyy z0 jyy 1424 106 m=m
>
: ;
> : o >
> ; >
: >
; >
: >
;
c xy z z0
cxy jxy 908 106 m=m
8 9
< 2:16 rad=m >
> =
0:0001875 m 10:9 rad=m
>
: >
;
9:4 rad=m
* The [abd] matrix for a [30/0/90]T graphite-epoxy laminate was calculated in Sample Problem 3.
8 9ply 1 2 3
> 107:6 109 26:06 109 48:13 109
< rxx >
=
6 7
ryy 4 26:06 109 27:22 109 21:52 109 5
>
: >
;
sxy zz0 48:13 109 21:52 109 36:05 109
8 9
>
> 120 1556:08 106 >>
< =
3468 15520:0 10 6
>
> >
>
: ;
2672 15524:2 106
8 9ply 1 8 53 MPa 9
< rxx = >
< >
=
ryy 5:2 MPa
: ; > >
sxy z z0 : 4:8 MPa ;
Stresses calculated at the remaining plies and ply interface positions are
summarized in Table 8.
Ply number z-coordinate (mm) rxx (MPa) ryy (MPa) sxy (MPa)
Example Problem 7
A [30/0/90]T graphite-epoxy laminate is cured at 175 jC and cooled to room
temperature (20 jC). Initially, the moisture content of the laminate is zero.
However, the laminate is subjected to a humid environment for several weeks,
resulting in an increase of moisture content of 0.5% (by weight). Determine:
(a) Midplane strains and curvatures
(b) Ply strains relative to the xy coordinate system
(c) Ply stresses relative to the xy coordinate system
which are present following the increase in moisture content. Use material
properties listed for graphite-epoxy in Table 3 of Chap. 3, and assume that
each ply has a thickness of 0.125 mm.
Solution. Note that this is the same laminate considered in Sample Problem
6, and the midplane strains and curvatures, ply strains, and ply stresses that
will be induced immediately upon cooldown by the change in temperature
have already been calculated. These quantities will all be modied due to the
slow diusion of water molecules into the epoxy matrix.
(a) Midplane strains and curvatures. The laminate has experienced a change
in moisture content DM=+0.5% and, consequently, is subjected moisture
stress and moment resultants. The eective moisture expansion coecients
for each ply are calculated using Eq. (28) of Chap. 5, repeated here for
convenience:
1310 Am=m %M
b1
yy 150 Am=m %Msin2 30B 4800 Am=m %Mcos2 30B
3640 Am=m %M
b1
xy 2cos30sin30150 4800Am=m %M 4030 Arad=%M
4800 Am=m %M
b3
yy 150 Am=m %M sin2 90B 4800 Am=m %M cos2 90B
150 Am=m %M
b3
xy 2cos90B sin90B 150 4800 Am=m %M 0 Arad=%M
Both the ply interface positions as well at the [Q] matrices for each ply were
calculated as a part of Example Problem 4. Hence, we now have all the
information needed to calculate the moisture stress and moment resultants,
using Eqs. (42a)(42f). For example, Eq. (42a) is evaluated as follows:
X3 n o
NMxx DM Q11 bxx Q12 byy Q16 bxy k zk zk1
k1
n
xx DM
NM Q11 bxx Q12 byy Q16 bxy 1 z1 z0
Q11 bxx Q12 byy Q16 bxy 2 z2 z1
o
Q11 bxx Q12 byy Q16 bxy 3 z3 z2
The remaining thermal stress and moment resultants are calculated in similar
fashion, eventually resulting in:
8 9
> NTxx > 8 9
>
> >
> > 8190 N=m >
>
> T >
> > >
>
> > > > 8460 N=m > >
> Nyy >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> > > >
T >
< N = < 233 N=m >
> =
xy
>
> T > > 0:05 N m=m >
> Mxx >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> T >
> >
> >
>
>
> M >
> >
> 0:05 N m=m >
>
>
> yy >
> >
: >
;
>
: MT ; >
xy
0:03 N m=m
We can now calculate midplane strains and curvatures using Eq. (45), which
becomes:*
8 o 9 2 3
> exx > 3:757 108 1:964 109 1:038 108 1:440 104 3:905 106 8:153 105
>
> >
>
>
> > 6 7
>
>
> eoyy >
>
>
>
6 1:964 109 1:037 107 4:234 108 1:866 105 6:361 104 4:628 104 7
>
> > 6 7
< o > = 66 1:038 108
4:234 108 2:004 107 3:661 104 3:251 104
7
1:851 105 7
cxy
6
6
7
7
>
> jxx >> 6 1:440 10 4
1:866 105 3:661 104
7:064 3:122 102 4:572 7
>
> >
> 6 7
>
> >
> 6 7
>
> jyy >> 4 3:905 10 6
6:361 104 3:251 104
3:122 102
6:429 3:620 5
>
> >
>
: ;
jxy 8:513 105 4:628 104 1:851 105 4:572 3:620 17:41
8 9
> 4060 8190 >
>
> >
> 7360 8460 >
> >
>
>
> >
>
>
> >
< 2860 233 > =
>
> 0:62 0:05 >
>
>
> >
>
>
> >
>
>
> 0:62 0:05 >
>
>
: >
;
0:36 0:03
* The [abd] matrix for a [30/0/90]T graphite-epoxy laminate was calculated in Sample Problem
3, and the thermal stress and moment resultants were calculated in Sample Problem 5.
(b) Ply strains relative to the xy coordinate system. Ply strains may now be
calculated using Eq. (12). For example, strains present at the outer surface of
ply 1 (i.e., strains present at z0=0.0001875 m) are:
8 9 8 o 9 8 9 8 9
> e > exx > > jxx > > 18 106 m=m >
< xx >
= >
< >
= >
< = >
> < >
=
eyy eoyy z0 jyy 509 106 m=m 0:0001875 m
>
: ;
> >
>
: o >
>
;
>
>
:
> >
; >
> :
>
>
;
c xy zz0 cxy jxy 420 106 m=m
8 9
> 1:0 rad=m >
>
< >
=
5:0 rad=m
>
> >
>
: ;
4:4 rad=m
8 9 8 9
> 206 Am=m >
< exx >
= >
< =
eyy 1450 Am=m
> ;
: cxy > >
: >
;
zz0 1240 Am=m
8 9ply 1 8 25 MPa 9
> > >
< rxx >
= >
< >
=
ryy 2:4 MPa
: sxy >
> ; >
> >
: 2:2 MPa >
;
z z0
Stresses calculated at the remaining plies and ply interface positions are
summarized in Table 10.
A comparison of the results obtained in Example Problems 6 and 7 leads
to the following observation: The initial ply stresses and strains caused by
cooldown from cure temperatures to room temperatures are partially relieved
Ply number z-coordinate (mm) rxx (MPa) ryy (MPa) sxy (MPa)
E11 E22 E
m12 m21 m
G12 G
a11 a22 a
b11 b22 b
Also recall that for isotropic materials, only two of the elastic moduli are
independent. That is:
E
G
21 m
If these interrelations between material properties are enforced, then Eq. (44)
reduces to:
2 3
A11 A12 0 0 0 0 8 o 9 8 T9 8 M9
8 9 N > >N >
> Nxx >6 7>> exx >
> >
> > > >
>
> >
>6 A12 7>> >
> >
> >
>
> >
> >
>
>
> >
>6 A11 0 0 0 0 7>>
> eo >
>
> >
>
> T>
>
>
>
>
>
M>
>
>
> >
>6 7> > > N > > N >
>
>
Nyy >
>6 A11 A12 7>>
>
yy >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >
>6 0 7 > > > > > >
< Nxy =6 0 0 0 0 7 < co = < 0 = < 0 >
> > > > > =
6 2 7 (46)
6 7
xy
>
> M >
> 6 0 0 0 D11 D12 0 7>> >
> >
> >
> >
> 0 >
>
>
> xx >
> 6 7> > >
> jxx > > 0 >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> 6 7> > > > > >
>
> >
> 6 0 0 0 D12 D11 0 7>>
>j >
>
>
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Myy >
> 6 7> > > >
7> yy > > 0 > > >
> > > > > > > 0 >
: ; 64
5 >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
Mxy D11 D12 : ; : ; : ;
0 0 0 0 0 jxy 0 0
2
Et mEt
A11 A12 mA11
1 m2 1 m2
Et3 mEt3
D11 D22 D12 mD11
121 m2 121 m2
Eta Etb
NT DT NM DM
1 m 1 m
The constant D11 is often called the exural rigidity of an isotropic plate.
Taking the inverse of Eq. (46), we nd:
8 o 9 2a 38 9
> exx > 11 a12 0 0 0 0 >
> Nxx NT NM > >
>
> >
> 6 7>> >
>
> > 7> M>
>
>
>
o >> 6 a12 a11 0 0 0 0 >
> N N T
N >
>
> eyy >
> > 6 7>> yy >
>
< o > = 6 2a11 a12
7>< >
=
cxy 6
6
0 0 0 0 0 7
7 N xy
47
> > 6 0 7> >
> jxx >
> > 6 0 0 d11 d12 0 7> Mxx >
>
> >
> 6 7>>
>
>
>
>
>
> j >
> 6 0 7>> >
>
>
> yy >
> 4 0 0 d12 d11 0 5>> Myy >
>
: ; >
: >
;
jxy 0 0 0 0 0 2d11 d12 Mxy
where:
1 1 m m
a11 a12 ma11
A11 1 m2 Et A11 1 m2 Et
1 12 m 12m
d11 d22 d12 md11
D11 1 m2 Et3 D11 1 m2 Et3
241 m
d66 2d11 d12
Et3
Comparing Eqs. (44) and (45) with Eqs. (46) and (47), it is apparent that
multiangle composite laminates may exhibit unusual coupling eects, as
compared to the more familiar behavior of isotropic plates. For example,
referring to Eq. (45), it can be seen that application of a normal stress resultant
Nxx will (in general) induce a midplane shear strain cjxy and curvatures jxx,
1X n
B11 Q11 k z2k z2k1
2 k1
1 n
B11 Q11 1 z21 z20 Q11 2 z22 z21 Q11 3 z23 z22
2
: : : Q11 n2 z2n2 z2n3 Q11 n1 z2n1 z2n2 48
Q11 n z2n z2n1 g
Together, the relations listed as Eqs. (49a) and (49b) imply that for any
symmetrical laminate:
Q11 1 z21 z20 Q11 n z2n z2n1
Q11 2 z22 z21 Q11 n1 z2n1 z2n2 50
2
Q11 3 z3 z22 Q11 n2 z2n2 z2n3
etc:
DT Xn
MTxx Q11 axx Q12 ayy Q16 axy k z2k z2k1
2 k1
T
In expanded form, Mxx is given by:
(
DT
MTxx Q11 axx Q12 ayy Q16 axy 1 z21 z20
2
Q11 axx Q12 ayy Q16 axy 2 z22 z21
Q11 axx Q12 ayy Q16 axy 3 z23 z22
...... 51
Q11 axx Q12 ayy Q16 axy n2 z2n2 z2n3
Q11 axx Q12 ayy Q16 axy n1 z2n1 z2n2
)
2
Q11 axx Q12 ayy Q16 axy n zn z2n1
56a
and
8 9
8 o 9 2 a11 a12 0 b11 b12
3 Nxx NT NM >
b16 >> >
> exx > >
>
xx xx >
>
>
> > 6 7> M >
> eo >
> >
> a12 a22 0 b21 b22 >
> yy
b26 7> N N T
N yy >
>
>
>
> > 6 7>
yy
>
< o >
yy
= 6
6 b66 7
>
< Nxy >
=
cxy 6 0 0 a66 b61 b62
7 56b
> 6b d16 7
> jxx > > Mxx Mxx Mxx >
7>
T M
> >
> 6 11 b12 b61 d11 d12 >
>
> > 6 7>
> >
>
>
> jyy >
>
> 4 b12 > Myy MT MM >
d26 5>
> >
: ; b22 b62 d12 d22 > yy >
>
jxy >
>
yy
>
>
b16 b26 b66 d16 d26 d66 : M M M ;
T M
xy xy xy
8 9 2 3 8 T 9 8 M9
>
> Nxx >> A11 A12 0 0 0 0 8 eo 9 > > Nxx >
> >
> Nxx >>
> > 6A > > > > > >
> > 0 7 > > > > > >
xx
>
> Nyy >> 6 12 A22 0 0 0 7>> o >> >
> >
Nyy >
T >
> NM >
>
>
> >
> 6 7>> e >
> >
> >
> >
> yy >
>
< Nxy >
> = 6 0 0 A66 0 0 0 7 > yy > >
< o = < 0 = < 0 >> > =
6 7 cxy
6 7
>
> M >
> 6 0 0 0 D11 D12 D16 7> jxx > > 0 > > 0 >
7> > > > > >
xx
>
> >
> 6 >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> yy >
M >
> 6 D26 7 >
> j >
yy > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> > 4 0 0 0 D12 D22 5:> >
; >
>
0 >
> >
>
0 >
>
>
: Mxy ;> j xy >
: 0 ; : 0 >
> > ;
0 0 0 D16 D26 D66
57a
and
8 o 9 2 a11 38 9
a12 0 0 0 0 > Nxx NTxx NM
xx >
>
> exx >> >
> >
>
>
> o >
> 6 a12 7> >
>
> e > 6
yy >
a22 0 0 0 0 7>
>
> Nyy NTyy NM >
yy >
>
>
< o > = 6 0 7> >
cxy 6 0 a66 0 0 0 7< N
=
6 7 xy
57b
> > 6 0 7
d16 7> >
>
> j xx >
> 6 0 0 d11 d12 >
> Mxx >
>
>
> >
> 6 7>
> >
>
>
> jyy >> 4 0 0 0 d12 d22 d26 5>
> M >
>
: ; >
:
yy >
;
jxy 0 0 0 d16 d26 d66 Mxy
and
2 38 9
8 o 9 a11 a12 0 0 0 b16 > Nxx NTxx NM
xx >
> e > > >
>
>
xx >
> 6 7>> >
>
> eo >
> 6a a22 0 0 0 b26 7>> Nyy NTyy NM >
>
>
> yy >
> 6 12 7>> yy >
>
< o > = 6 0 0 a66 b16 b62 7
b66 7
>
< Nxy
>
=
cxy 66 7 58b
>
> > 6 0 d16 7 > >
> xx > 7> >
j 0 b61 d11 d12 Mxx
> > 6
> > >
> jyy >
> > 6 7>> >
>
>
: >
; 4 0 0 b62 d12 d22 d26 5>>
> M yy >
>
>
jxy >
: >
;
b 16 b26 0 d16 d26 d66 Mxy Mxy Mxy
T M
If a balanced angle-ply laminate is also symmetrical, then Eqs. (58a) and (58b)
are simplied still further to:
8 9 2 3 8 9 8 9
Nxx > A11 A12 0 0 0 0 8 o 9 > NTxx > > NM xx >
>
> > e
> xx > > > > >
>
> >
> 6 7> > > > > >
T > > M>
>
>
> Nyy >
> 6 A12 A22 0 0 0 0 7>>
> o >>
>
>
>
> N >
eyy > > yy > > yy >
>
>
>
>
> N >
>
>
> >
> 6 7>
> > > > > >
>
< Nxy = 6 7< = < = < =
6 0 0 A66 0 0 0 7 co 0 0
6 7 xy
>
> Mxx >
> 6 0 D16 7> jxx > > 0 > > 0 >
>
> >
> 6 0 0 D11 D12 7>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >
> 6 D26 7>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> yy >
> M > 4 0 0 0 D12 D22 >
5: j yy > >
; > 0 > > > > 0 > >
>
: ; jxy >
: >
; : > >
;
Mxy 0 0 0 D16 D26 D66 0 0
59a
60b
(a) Calculate the ply strains in the xy coordinate system, using Eq.
(12). Strains may be calculated at any desired position z, but most
often they are calculated at the ply interface positions (i.e., at
eTxx
axx
DT
However, this denition does not anticipate the out-of-plane coupling eects
exhibited by general composite laminates. That is, for a general composite
laminate, a temperature change DT causes both midplane strain ejxx and
midplane curvature jxx, and consequently eTxx varies through the laminate
thickness. In this case then, what strain should be used to calculate axx?
A reasonable approach is to dene axx based on the thermal strain
induced at the laminate midplane, axx=ejxx /DT, regardless of whether or not
a curvature is induced as well. A second thermal property can then be dened
as the ratio of midplane curvature to temperature change (jxx/DT ).
Although several new properties representing unusual coupling eects
can be dened in this manner, this topic will not be pursued here. Recall that
coupling eects occur in composite laminates with arbitrary stacking sequen-
ces because Bij p 0. Symmetrical laminates are almost always used in practice
The midplane strains caused by uniaxial loading are therefore given by:
ex 1
Eyy 67a
ta22
a12
ex
myx 67b
a22
a26
ex
gyy;xy 67c
a22
Next, consider the eective material properties measured during a pure
shear test. A symmetrical composite laminate subjected to pure shear loading
Hence, the midplane strains caused by pure shear loading are given by:
The eective (or nominal) shear stress sxy applied to the laminate is given by
sxy=Nxy/t, where t is the total laminate thickness.
In Sec. 3.2, the shear modulus was dened as the shear stress sxy
divided by the resulting shear strain cxy, with all other stress components
The coecient of mutual inuence of the rst kind gxy,xx (or gxy,yy) was
dened as the normal strain exx (or eyy) divided by the shear strain cxy, both
of which are induced by shear stress sxy, when all other stresses equal zero.
For a composite laminate, the eective coecient of mutual inuence of the
ex
rst kind gxy;xx is therefore given by:
eoxx a16 Nxx a16
ex
gxy;xx 70a
coxy a66 Nxy a66
ex
whereas gxy;yy is given by:
eoyy a26
ex
gxy;yy 70b
coxy a66
2
12 1 mex
xy
eM eM
yy cM
xy
bxx xx
byy bxy 74
DM DM DM
Substituting the midplane strains indicated by Eq. (75) into Eq. (74), the
eective linear moisture expansion coecients for a general laminate are:
1 h i
bxx a11 NM a 12 N M
a 16 N M
DM xx yy xy
1 h i
byy a12 NMxx a22 Nyy a26 Nxy
M M
76a
DM
1 h i
bxy a16 NM a N
26 yy
M
a NM
66 xy
DM xx
Because these results are for a symmetrical laminate, they can be inverted to
give:
xx DM A11 bxx A12 byy A16 bxy
NM
yy DM A12 bxx A22 byy A26 bxy
NM 76b
xy DM A16 bxx A26 byy A66 bxy
NM
Because the laminate is symmetrical, all elements of the Bij matrix are zero, as
expected. We obtain the [abd] by inverting the [ABD] numerically:
2 3
16:0 109 1:23 109 12:0 109 0 0 0
6 7
6 1:23 109 20:0 109 6:0 109 0 0 0 7
6 7
6 7
6 7
6 12:0 109 6:0 109 75:8 109 0 0 0 7
abd 6
6
7
1 1 7
6 0 0 0 3:51 10 2:92 102 3:92 10 7
6 7
6 7
6 0 0 0 2:92 102 1:408 6:96 101 7
4 5
1
0 0 0 3:92 10 6:96 101 1:79
The eective extensional moduli of the laminate can now be calculated using
Eqs. (63)(70b):
ex 1 1
Exx 83:3 GPa
ta11 0:00075016:0 109
ex 1 1
Eyy 66:7 GPa
ta22 0:00075020 109
ex 1 1
Gxy 17:6 GPa
ta66 0:00075075:8 109
12 12
E flxx 81:0 GPa
d11 t 3
0:3510:0007503
12 12
E flyy 20:2 GPa
d22 t3 1:4080:0007503
Note that the values of extensional properties are quite dierent from anal-
ogous exural properties.
The thermal stress resultants associated with a given change in temper-
ature must be determined in order to calculate the eective thermal expansion
coecients. Numerically speaking, any change in temperature can be used,
but for present purposes, a unit change in temperature will be assumed (i.e.,
NTxx jDT1 52:3 N=m NTyy jDT1 94:9 N=m NTxy jDT1 36:9 N=m
1 h i
axx a11 NTxx a12 NTyy a16 NTxy
DT
1
axx 16:0 109 52:3 1:23 109 94:9
1
12:0 109 36:9
As discussed in Sec. 5.2, Qij may be calculated using Eq. (31) of Chap. 5, which
involves use of the Qij matrix and various trigonometrical functions raised to
a power (e.g., cos4 h, cos2 h sin2h, sin4 h, etc.). Alternatively, as discussed in
Sec. 5.3, Qij may be calculated using Eq. (35) of Chap. 5, which involves the
use of material invariants UiQ and trigonometrical functions, whose argu-
ments involve ber angles multiplied by a constant (i.e., cos 2h, cos 4h, sin 2h,
or sin 4h).
Although either approach is mathematically equivalent, in some cir-
cumstances, the use of material invariants (Eq. (35) of Chap. 5) can be
advantageous. Specically, if all plies within the laminate are of the material
type, then use of Eq. (35) of Chap. 5 leads to the ability to easily transform the
ABD matrix from one coordinate system to another.
To aid in our development, dene the following geometry factors,
which are related to the ber angles and ply interface positions:
Xn Xn
VA
0 z k z k1 t V A
1 cos 2hk zk zk1
k1 k1
X
n X
n
2
VA sin 2hk zk zk1 3
VA cos 4hk zk zk1 77
k1 k1
X
n
4
VA sin 4hk zk zk1 t
k1
1Xn 1X n
VB0 z2 z2k1 0 VB1 cos 2hk z2k z2k1
2 k1 k 2 k1
1X n 1X n
VB2 sin 2hk z2k z2k1 VB3 cos 4hk z2k z2k1 78
2 k1 2 k1
1X n
VB4 sin 4hk z2k z2k1
2 k1
1X n t3 1X n
0
VD z3k z3k1 1
VD cos 2hk z3k z3k1
3 k1 12 3 k1
1X n 1X n
2
VD sin 2hk z3k z3k1 VD
3 cos 4hk z3k z3k1 79
3 k1 3 k1
Next, consider the steps necessary to calculate the A11 term. In this case, Eq.
(27a) becomes:
X
n
A11 Qij k zk zk1 80
k1
Using the invariant formulation the expression for Q 11 listed in Eq. (35) of
Chap. 5 may be substituted, resulting in:
n n
X o
A11 UQ Q Q
1 U2 cos 2h U3 cos 4h zk zk1 81
k
k1
where U1Q, U2Q, and U3Q are the stiness invariants dened in Eq. (36) of
Chap. 5. If all plies within the laminate are composed of the same material,
then stiness invariants are constant for the laminate and only ber angle h
varies from one ply to the next. Therefore, Eq. (81) can be rewritten as:
X
n X
n
A11 UQ
1 zk zk1 UQ
2 cos 2hk zk zk1
k1 k1
82
Q
X
n
U3 cos 4hk zk zk1
k1
A11 UQ Q A Q A
1 V0 U2 V1 U3 V3
A
83a
Following an identical procedure, the remaining elements of the Aij matrix are
given by:
A22 UQ Q A Q A
1 V0 U2 V1 U3 V3
A
83b
A12 A21 UQ Q A
4 V0 U3 V3
A
83c
A66 UQ A
5 V0 UQ A
3 V3 83d
1
A16 A61 UQ VA UQ A
3 V4 83e
2 2 2
1
A26 A62 UQ VA UQ A
3 V4 83f
2 2 2
D11 UQ Q D Q D
1 V0 U2 V1 U3 V3
D
85a
D22 UQ D
1 V0 UQ Q D
2 V1 U3 V3
D
85b
D12 D21 UQ Q D
4 V0 U3 V3
D
85c
D66 UQ Q D
5 V0 U3 V3
D
85d
1
D16 D61 UQ VD UQ VD 85e
2 2 2 4
1 Q D
D26 D62 U2 V2 UQ D
3 V4 85f
2
Let us now consider transformation of the ABD matrix from one
coordinate system to another. A multiangle composite laminate referenced
to an xy coordinate system is shown in Fig. 20. It is assumed that the ABD
matrix for this laminate has been calculated and is known based on ber
angles referenced to the xy coordinate system. Now suppose that a dierent
coordinate system is of interest, the x VyV coordinate system, orientated h
degrees counterclockwise from the original xy coordinate system. The
transformed stiness matrices referenced to the x VyV coordinate system will
U U U
be labeled Aij, Bij, and Dij.
Inspection of Fig. 20 shows that a ply with ber angle hk relative to the
original x-axis will form an angle (hk/) relative to the xV-axis. Element A 11
may therefore be calculated using Eqs. (83a)(83f) by substituting (hk/) for
hk. Hence:
X n X
n
A 11 U1Q zk zk1 UQ
2 cos 2hk /zk zk1 86
k1 k1
Xn
UQ
3 cos 4hk /zk zk1
k1
The geometry factors ViA have been dened in Eq. (77). A similar procedure
can be applied to all remaining elements of the Aij matrix as well as the Bij
and Dij matrices:
Q
A
A22 UQ 1 V0 U2 V1 cos2/ V2 sin2/
A A
A 87b
UQ 3 V3 cos4/ V4 sin4/
A
Q
A
A12 A21 UQ 4 V0 U3 V3 cos4/ V sin4/
A A
87c
A66 UQ A Q
5 V0 U3 V3 cos4/ V4 sin4/
A A
87d
1 Q
A
A16 A61 U2 V2 cos2/ VA1 sin2/
2
87e
UQ
3 V4 cos4/ V3 sin4/
A A
1 Q
A
A26 A62 U2 V2 cos2/ VA1 sin2/
2
87f
UQ
3 V4 cos4/ V3 sin4/
A A
1 Q
B
B16 B61 U2 V2 cos2/ V1B sin2/
2
88e
U3Q V4B cos4/ V3B sin4/
1 Q
B
B26 B62 U2 V2 cos2/ V1B sin2/
2
88f
U3Q V4B cos4/ V3B sin4/
D11 U1Q V0D U2Q V1D cos2/ V2D sin2/
89a
U3Q V3D cos4/ V4D sin4/
D22 U Q V0D U2Q V1D cos2/ V2D sin2/
89b
U3Q V3D cos4/ V4D sin4/
D12 D21 U4Q V D U3Q V3D cos4/ V4D sin4/ 89c
D66 U5Q V0D U3Q V3D cos4/ V4D sin4/ 89d
1 Q
D
D16 D61 U2 V2 cos2/ V1D sin2/
2 89e
U3Q V4D cos4/ V3D sin4/
1 Q
D
D26 D62 U V2 cos2/ V1D sin2/
2 2 89f
U3Q V4D cos4/ V3D sin4/
It is again emphasized that all new results presented in this section (in
particular, Eqs. (82a)(89f ) are valid only if all plies within the laminate are
of the same material type. In many cases, this is a severe restriction. These
equations cannot be used to calculate the ABD matrix for a hybrid composite
If the analysis requires the user to input numerical values for stress and
moment resultants, then stress resultants must be inputted in Newtons per
meter, and moment resultants must be inputted in Newton meters per meter.
Typical value would be Nxx=150103 N/m and Mxx=5 N m/m. If, instead,
the analysis requires the user to input numerical values for midplane strains
and curvatures, then strains must be inputted in meters per meter (not in Am/
m) and curvatures must be inputted in per meter. Typical value would be
ejxx=2000106 m/m=0.002000 m/m and jxx=0.5 m1. All temperatures
would be inputted in degrees Celsius. Ply thicknesses must be inputted in
meters (not millimeters). A typical value would be t k =0.000125 m
(corresponding to a ply thickness of 0.125 mm).
HOMEWORK PROBLEMS
Notes: (a) In the following problems, the phrase by hand calculation
means that solutions are to be obtained using a calculator, pencil, and paper.
(b) The computer programs UNIDIR and CLT are referenced in some of
the following problems. As described in Sec. 11, these programs can be
downloaded from the following website: http://depts.washington.edu/amtas/
computer.html.
Obtain numerical values for all elements of the [Q] matrices for plies 1
and 2 using program UNIDIR and properties listed in Table 3 of Chap.
3. Assume that an individual ply has a thickness of 0.005 in. Then
determine the following by hand calculation:
T
(a) Nxx
T
(b) Nyy
T
(c) Nxy
(d) MxxT
(e) MTyy
T:
(f) Mxy
If the laminate were cured at 175jC and then cooled to room tempera-
tures (20jC), the thermal resultants induced during cooldown would be:
NTxx 8607 N=m
NTyy 21; 825 N=m
NTxy MTxx MTyy MTxy 0
If the moisture content of the laminate immediately after cure is 0%, but
over the course of several months is increased to 0.5%, then the
moisture resultants induced by this slow moisture adsorption are:
xx 6092 N=m
NM
yy 6098 N=m
NM
REFERENCES
1. Jones, R.M. Mechanics of Composite Materials; Hemisphere Publishing Cor-
poration: New York, NY. ISBN 0-89116-490-1, 1975.
2. Tsai, S.W.; Hanh, H.T. Introduction to Composite Material; Technomic Pub-
lishing Co. ISBN 0-87762-288-4, 1980.
3. Halpin, J.C. Primer on Composite Materials: Analysis; Technomic Publishing
Co. ISBN 87762-349-X, 1984.
Ideally, the objective of this chapter would be to describe the analytical tools
and/or methodologies available to accurately predict the yielding and fracture
of multiangle composite laminates under general thermomechanical loading
conditions. Unfortunately, we will not be able to reach this objective. As will
be seen, predicting the fracture of multiangle composite laminates under
general loading conditions and with a high degree of accuracy is still beyond
the state of the art, despite extensive research eorts undertaken over the past
several decades. Of course, fracture predictions for the simple case of an
isotropic metallic structure under general loading conditions are not com-
pletely reliable either, despite more than a century of eort. In any case,
predicting the fracture of polymeric composite structure has proven to be a
formidable challenge, and methods of predicting this phenomenon remain an
active area of research.
The diculties encountered are many and varied. Some of the most
common factors involved are summarized in the following introductory
section, and a more detailed discussion of several of these factors will be
presented in following sections. However, the reader should be aware from
the outset that composite fracture predictions are currently a blend of
engineering art and science. The reader is advised to keep abreast of new
literature in this area.
375
* Roughly, yielding and crack growth in metals/metal alloys become time-dependent if the
temperature exceeds one-half the melting temperature, measured on an absolute scale (Kelvin
or Rankine).
y
The signicance and importance of crack growth, as related to yielding and fracture of metallic
structures, began to be recognized in the 1930s and 1940s, and have ultimately led to the
development of the branch of engineering known as fracture mechanics [1].
level. The dierence between the load level at which yielding is initiated and
the level at which cracks begin to form within the 90j plies depends on the
level of ductility exhibited by the particular composite material system. In this
text, ply yielding is considered to be a form of composite failure, and the
eective stress level necessary to cause yielding of the 90j plies is called the
rst-ply failure stress. Hence, cracks begin to form in the 90j plies at load
levels above the rst-ply failure stress. Note that if the laminate were a
unidirectional [90]n laminate, then nal fracture would occur as soon as a
single crack formed within the 90j plies. Because the laminate is instead a [0/
45/90/45]s laminate and because no fractures have yet occurred within the
F45j or 0j plies, the laminate as a whole can support higher stress/strain
levels. Further, experimentally, it has been shown that many cracks form
within the 90j plies as the load is increased, and the distance between cracks is
(approximately) constant. The characteristic spacing between cracks within
* It is interesting to note, however, that a pronounced decrease in the eective Poisson ratio vxy
occurs due to transverse cracking of the 90j plies [4].
sxy jply 2 0 2c
It is interesting to note that Eqs. (1a) and (2a) show that the axial stress
rxx induced in plies 1 and 3 is not precisely equal to that induced in ply 2
1 2
because v12 p v12 . Of greater immediate interest, however, is that Eqs. (1b)
and (2b) predict that a transverse stress ryy is induced in all three plies, again
1 2
because v12 p v12 . Hence, a load in the x-direction (Nxx) is predicted to cause
a normal stress in the y-direction. The transverse stress induced in ply 2 is
predicted to be compressive (as expected) and with a magnitude twice as high
as the tensile transverse stress induced in plies 1 and 3. These transverse
stresses occur solely because of the mismatch in Poissons ratio. That is, if
1 2
v12 v12 then from Eqs. (1b) and (2b), the transverse stress in all three plies
becomes ryy = 0.
* Because this is a relatively simple laminate, Eqs. (1) and (2) can be conrmed by hand
calculations.
The thickness of each ply was denoted ho. In this text, the total laminate
thickness has been denoted t; thus, in the Pipes and Pagano study, the total
laminate thickness was t = 4ho. The width of the laminate was denoted 2b.
Laminates with the three dierent width-to-laminate thickness ratios of 2, 4,
and 6 were studied (i.e., laminates were studied with width-to-ply thickness
ratios of b/h = 4, 8, and 12, respectively). Free-edge stresses were found to be
independent of width-to-laminate thickness ratio over the range considered,
and most of the results presented in Ref. 9 are for laminates with b/ho = 8 (i.e.,
for laminates whose width is four times as great as their thickness).
A summary of ply stresses calculated by Pipes and Pagano for a [45/
45]s laminate, at z = ho (i.e., just within the +45j ply), is presented in Fig. 5.
In this gure, the ply stresses are plotted vs. normalized position y/b within
the laminate, where the position y/b = 0 corresponds to the centerline of the
laminate and y/b = 1.0 corresponds to the free edge (see Fig. 2). Using the
material properties listed above, stresses predicted by a CLT analysis for
the 45j plies in a [45/45]s laminate subjected to a uniform axial strain exx are
as follows:
rxx
20:4 GPa 2:96 Msi
exx
ryy 0
sxy
7:93 GPa 1:15 Msi
exx
f y; z
rij fy; zrd 3
rd
Example Problem 1
Predict the rst-ply failure load for a [0/30/60]s graphiteepoxy laminate
subjected to a uniaxial tensile load Nxx as well as a change in temperature
corresponding to cooldown from cure temperatures (175jC) to room temper-
atures (20jC). Assume no change in moisture content, and that the laminate is
* As discussed in Sec. 5 of Chap. 6, the stress-free temperature is likely to be lower than the cure
temperature. For simplicity, it is assumed in this text that the nal cure temperature denes the
stress-free temperature.
* The failure envelope based on the TsaiWu criterion was generated by calculating the
coupling term X12 using Eq. (61) of Chap. 5. A signicantly dierent failure envelope may be
obtained if X12 were determined on the basis of a biaxial test or by some other means (see Sec.
5.3 of Chap. 5).
* If the TsaiWu criterion is selected, then the coupling strength term X12 is calculated ac-
cording to Eq. (61) of Chap. 5.
HOMEWORK PROBLEMS
Computer programs CLT and LAMFAIL are used in the following prob-
lems. These programs can be downloaded from the following website: http://
depts.washington.edu/amtas/computer.html.
**Program LAMFAIL***
Laminate failure predictions based on the maximum stress failure
criterion
Stress-free temperature=175.0j
Service temperature=20.0j
Change in temperature=155.0j
Change in moisture content=1.00%
The maximum stress failure criterion had been selected for use, and stress resultants Nxx
and Nyy were considered. The le also contains the number of the ply predicted to fail and
the failure type (i.e., ber, matrix, or shear) for each combination of Nxx and Nyy predicted
to cause failure.
following process to determine the tensile loads Nxx and Nyy necessary to
cause rst-ply failure, according to the maximum stress failure criteria:
**Program LAMFAIL***
Laminate failure predictions based on the TsaiHill failure
criterion
Stress-free temperature=175.0j
Service temperature=20.0j
Change in temperature=155.0j
Change in moisture content=1.00%
The TsaiHill failure criterion had been selected for use, and stress resultants Nxx and Nyy
were considered. The le also contains the number of the ply predicted to fail for each
combination of Nxx and Nyy predicted to cause failure.
(c) Calculate the increase in unit loads that will cause rst-ply ply
failure.
(d) Conrm the results of part (c) using program LAMFAIL.
REFERENCES
1. Broek, D. Elementary Engineering Fracture Mechanics; Kluwer Academic Pub-
lishers: Hingham, MA, 1986, ISBN 90-247-2580-1.
2. Reifsnider, K.L., Ed. Fatigue of Composite Materials; Elsevier Sci. Publ.: New
York, NY, 1991.
3. Selvarathinam, A.S.; Weitsman, Y.J. Shear-lag analysis of transverse cracking
and delamination in cross-ply carbon-bre/epoxy composites under dry, sat-
urated and immersed fatigue conditions. Compos. Sci. Technol. 1999, 59 (14),
21152123.
4. Surgeon, M.; Vanswijgenhoven, E.; Wevers, M.; van der Biest, O. Transverse
cracking and Poissons ratio reduction in cross-ply carbon bre-reinforced
polymers. J. Mater. Sci. 1999, 34 (22), 55135517.
5. Joe, R.; Varna, J. Analytical modeling of stiness reduction in symmetric and
balanced laminates due to cracks in 90j layers. Compos. Sci. Technol. 1999, 59
(11), 16411652.
6. Pipes, R.B.; Daniel, I.M. Moire analysis of the interlaminar shear edge eect in
laminated composites. J. Compos. Mater. 1971, 5, 255.
7. Oplinger, D.W.; Parker, B.S.; Chiang, F.-P. Edge-eect studies in ber-re-
inforced laminates. Exp. Mech. 1974, 14 (9), 347354.
1 PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION
It is expected that readers of this text will have previously studied a subject
known as mechanics of materials (also called strength of materials). One
of the primary topics considered in mechanics of materials is the structural
behavior of a prismatic beam. A prismatic beam is dened as a long, slender,
and initially straight structural member whose cross section does not vary
along its length. Typical problem objectives are to determine the stresses,
strains, and deections induced in a prismatic beam by various types of
external loads. Many excellent textbooks are available to support such
studies, a few of which are listed here as Refs. (15). In virtually all of these
references, it is assumed that the beam is composed of an isotropic material or
where for an isotropic material, the elements of the [abd] matrix reduce to (see
Sec. 7 of Chap. 6):
1 v
a11 a12
Et Et
12 12v
d11 d12
Et3 Et3
241 v
d66 2d11 d12
Et3
Figure 1 Composite beams with various cross sections. (a) Rectangular beam,
plies orthogonal to plane of loading. (b) Rectangular beam, plies parallel to plane
of loading. (c) I-beam. (d) T-beam. (e) Hat-beam. (f) Box-beam.
T-beam. This second approach of producing a T-beam has the distinct ad-
vantage of providing continuous bers across the junction between the web
and ange. However, the stacking sequences used in the web and ange
laminates are no longer independent. Since the ange laminate is required to
be symmetric (at least for the analysis presented in this section), the ber
angles used in the web and inner portions of the ange laminates must be
repeated on the outer surface of the ange. Furthermore, if the web is pro-
duced using unidirectional pre-preg tape, then it is impossible to produce a
T-beam that has both a symmetric web and a symmetric ange laminate,
As before, the only way this can be avoided (if the beam is produced using
unidirectional pre-preg tape) is to use ber angles of h = 0j or 90j in the web,
which may lead to web laminates with unacceptably low shear stiness.
These diculties in achieving symmetry are avoided if the web is
produced using a woven or braided pre-preg fabrics rather than unidirec-
tional pre-preg, as shown in Fig. 5. Recall from Sec. 4 of Chap. 1 that a single
ply of a woven or braided fabric features two or three ber directions, oriented
symmetrically about the warp direction. Since each individual woven or
braided ply features a symmetric Fhj ber pattern, plies extending from the
web into the ange (as in a T-beam) or completely around the circumference
of the cross section (as in a box-beam) retain the identical F hj ber pattern in
both web and ange laminates. Note that the use of a woven or braided ply to
form the web laminate(s) does not preclude the use of additional unidirec-
tional plies in the ange laminate(s).
Finally, objectionable levels of thermal warping may still occur for some
thin-walled composite beams, even though they satisfy all of the symmetry
requirements described above. Thermal warping may occur because we have
allowed the beam cross section to be nonsymmetric about the xy plane.
Suppose, for example, that an I-beam is produced in which the (symmetric)
top ange is produced using a very dierent stacking sequence than the
(symmetric) bottom ange. This implies that the eective thermal expansion
coecient axx of the top ange may be very dierent than that of the bottom
ange. Consequently, if the beam experiences a uniform change in temper-
Note that thermal and moisture stress resultants are (in general) present in
the symmetric composite beam, even though the only externally applied
b
load is Nxx . As discussed in earlier chapters, thermal and moisture result-
ants contribute substantially to the strains and stresses induced in each ply
and may lead to premature failure of a composite beam if not properly
accounted for.
The preexisting ply stresses and strains are of course changed upon
b
application of an external axial load Nxx . From Eq. (4), it is easy to see
b
that the incremental change in midplane strains caused by Nxx (only) is
given by:
a11 b a12 b a16 b
eoxx N eoyy N coxy N 5
b xx b xx b xx
ex 1 a12 a16
E xx ex
vxy ex
gxx;xy
ta11 a11 a11
From Eq. 6(a), we see that the eective axial rigidity of a rectangular com-
posite beam can be written as:
ex ex
AE xx tbE xx 7a
8 o 9 2 38 T 9
>
> exx >>
a11 a12 a16 0 0 0 >
> Nxx NM
xx >
>
> o >
> > 6 a12 7>> NT NM > >
>
> e > 6> a22 a26 0 0 0 7>> >
yy >
> yy >
> > 7>> Tyy >
>
< = 6a 7 N NM =
<
coxy 6
6 16
a26 a66 0 0 0
7 xy xy 8
> > 6 0 d16 7
> xx >
> j > 6 0 0 d11 d12 7>> Mbxx =b > >
>
> >
> 6 7>> >
>
>
>
> j yy >
>
>
4 0 0 0 d12 d22 d26 5>>
>
> 0
>
>
>
>
: ; : ;
jxy 0 0 0 d16 d26 d66 0
Thermal and moisture stress resultants NijT and NijM are (in general)
present in the symmetric composite beam. As discussed in earlier chapters,
thermal and moisture stress resultants contribute substantially to the strains
and stresses induced in each ply and may lead to premature failure of a
composite beam if not properly accounted for. The thermal and moisture
stress resultants do not inuence the initial elastic response of the beam,
however. From Eq. (8), it is easy to see that midplane strains are not changed
b
upon the application of Mxx since bij=0. Hence, the midplane of the beam
cross section represents the neutral surface in the sense that application of
b
Mxx does not contribute to (or alter) preexisting midplane strains. As noted in
Sec. 2, the neutral surface for an isotropic beam with rectangular cross section
is also coincident with the midplane.
From Eq. (8), the midplane curvatures are given by:
b b b
Mxx Mxx Mxx
jxx d11 jyy d12 jxy d16 9
b b b
The fact that the twist curvature jxy p 0 (in general) shows that the xz and
yz planes are not the principal planes of curvature. This is in direct contrast
to an isotropic beam since for a prismatic isotropic beam with symmetric rect-
angular cross section, the xz and yz planes represent the principal planes of
curvature.
The eective exural Youngs modulus, Poissons ratio, and coecient
of mutual inuence of the second kind for a composite laminate were all
dened as follows in Sec. 9.1 of Chap. 6:
12 d12 d16
E xx
vxy
gxx;xy
d11 t3 d11 d11
The moment of inertia for a rectangular cross section of width b and height t
is I = bt3/12. Therefore the above expressions can be written as:
b
Mxx
jxx I
10a
E xx
vxy Mbxx
jyy I
10b
E xx
b
gxx;xy Mxx
jxy I
10c
E xx
in Fig. 8 causes a very dierent state of stress in the composite beam than does
b
the bending moment shown in Fig. 7 (which is also denoted Mxx ). This
dierence is of course due to the change in orientation of the composite beam.
Throughout this chapter, we assume that the stacking sequence is
symmetric. Hence, both the beam cross section as well as beam material
b
properties are symmetric about the xz plane. Since the moment Mxx is
constant along the length of the beam, all beam cross sections must deform in
an identical manner. Under these conditions, the long axis of the beam must
deform into a circular arc with a radius of curvature rxx, as shown in Fig. 9.
Hence, beam cross sections that are initially plane and perpendicular to the
axis of the beam must remain plane and perpendicular to the deformed axis of
the beam following loading. These are precisely the same conditions encoun-
dNbxx Nxx dz
Since this force acts at distance z from the neutral axis, the incremental
internal moment associated with this force is:
The total moment is obtained by integrating over the height of the beam:
b=2
m m
b=2
jxx 2
Mbxx Nxx zdz z dz
b=2 b=2 a11
Neither jxx nor a11 is a function of z, so they can be removed from the integral
sign. Completing the integration indicated, we nd:
jxx b3
Mbxx
12a11
The eective extensional Youngs modulus is given by Eq. (63) of Chap. 6,
repeated here for convenience:
ex 1
E xx
ta11
Mbxx
jxx ex 16
E xx I
Mbxx z
rxx 18
I
Equation (18) is analogous to the exure formula for isotropic beams [Eq. (3)]
and can be used to determine the eective stress at any position z. As would be
expected, the eective stress rxx is at a maximum at the outer surfaces of the
beam (at z = F t/2) and is zero at the neutral surface (at z = 0). Once the
eective stress rxx has been calculated at a point of interest, then the stresses
and strains present in individual plies can be determined using the standard
CLT analysis methods.
b
Sketches of a composite box-beam subjected to axial load Nxx (only)
b
are shown in Fig. 12. In this gure, it is assumed that the line of action of Nxx
does pass through the centroid. Consequently, a uniform axial strain exx is
induced at an arbitrary cross section of the beam, as shown in Fig. 12(a). Since
strain is uniform, the stress resultants induced in each segment of the beam
can be written as:
exx ex
Nxx jw w tw E xx jw exx 19a
a11
exx ex
Nxx jbf bf tbf E xx jbf exx 19b
a11
exx ex
Nxx jtf tf ttf E xx jtf exx 19c
a11
Symbols w, bf, and tf have been used to denote variables associated
with the web laminate, bottom ange laminate, and top ange laminate,
respectively. For example, E xxex
jw represents the eective extensional modulus
of the web laminates.
The stress resultants given by Eqs. (19a)(19c) are indicated in the free-
body diagram shown in Fig. 12(b). To determine the location of the centroidal
axis, we require that the moment associated with the internal stress resultants
vanish. Summing moments about the y-axis and equating to zero (SMy=0),
we obtain:
Substituting [Eqs. (19a), (19b), (19c)] and solving for distance zb, we nd:
2 3
ex ex ex
2A E
1 6 w xx w h 2t t A E A E 2t 2h t
bf
bf bf xx
bf
tf xx
tf
b tf
7
zb 4 ex ex ex 520a
2 2A E A E A E
w xx bf xx tf xx
w bf tf
be expressed as:
( tf )
1 2habf 11 a11 h 2tbf ba11 tbf a11 a11 2tbf 2h ttf
tf w bf
zb 20b
11 a11 ba11 a11 a11
2habf
2 tf w bf tf
Equations (20a) and (20b) gives the distance from the centroid to the bottom
surface of the composite box-beam. If the bottom and top ange laminates are
ex ex
identical (i.e., if Abf=Atf, tbf=ttf, and E xx Abf E xx Atf ), then Eqs. (20a) and
(20b) reduces to zb=tbf+h/2, as would be expected.
Let us now determine the eective axial rigidity of the composite box-
beam. Since a uniform axial strain (exx) is induced, the stress resultants present
in each segment of the beam to the axial strain are given by:
exx ex
Nxx jw w tw E xx w exx
a11
exx ex
Nxx bf bf tbf E xx bf exx 21
a
11
exx ex
Nxx tf tf ttf E xx tf exx
a11
b
Also, the total load applied to the beam as a whole (Nxx ) must equal the
sum of the forces acting in each beam segment:
Nbxx 2Nxx jw h Nxx jbf b Nxx jtf b
Dene the eective stress applied to the beam as the force applied to the beam
divided by the area of the beam cross section:
Nbxx 2Nxx w h Nxx bf b Nxx tf b
rbeam 22
Abeam 2Aw Abf Atf
Substituting Eq. (21) into Eq. (22), we nd:
2
ex ex ex 3
2Aw E xx Abf E xx Atf E xx
rbeam exx 4 w bf tf 5
2Aw Abf Atf
Alternatively, the eective axial rigidity of the box-beam can be written as:
beam 2h b b
AE xx w bf tf 24b
a11 a11 a11
If the bottom and top ange laminates are identical (i.e., if Abf=Atf, tbf=ttf,
ex
and E xx jbf=E xx
ex
jtf), then Eqs. (24a) and (24b) reduce to:
ex ex h b
AE beam 2 Aw E xx Abf E xx 2 w bf
w bf a11 a11
Next, consider the eective exural rigidity of a composite box-beam.
Recall that the exural rigidity of a beam is dened under a condition of pure
bending. A side view of a composite box-beam subjected to pure bending is
shown in Fig. 13(a). Since the beam cross section is symmetric about the xz
plane, the long x-axis of the beam must deform into a circular arc with a
radius of curvature rxx, as shown. Hence, cross sections of the box-beam that
are initially plane and perpendicular to the axis of the beam must remain plane
and perpendicular to the deformed axis of the beam following loading. These
are precisely the same conditions encountered in pure bending of a rectan-
gular composite beam with ply orientation parallel to the plane of loading
(discussed in Sec. 5.2), as well as in isotropic beams with symmetric rectan-
gular cross sections. Axial normal strains vary linearly with z and are given by:
exx zjxx 25
where curvature jxx=1/rxx. We assume that the axial strain induced at any
position z is uniform across the width of the web and ange laminates; that is,
we assume that exx is not a function of y.
Our rst objective is to determine the location of the neutral axis. That
is, we wish to determine either distance zt or zb, previously shown in Fig. 11. In
the following derivation, we will determine distance zb, the distance from the
neutral axis to the bottom surface of the beam. Note that this is an arbitrary
decision, and a comparable derivation based on distance zt can easily be
developed.
Note that the cross-sectional area of the bottom ange, Abf=btbf, has been
used in Eq. (32).
Finally, we must determine the total axial force supported by the top
ange. From Fig. 11, we see that the midplane of the top ange laminate exists
at z=(zbtbfhttf/2). Based on this value, expressions analogous to Eqs. (28)
(32) can be obtained for the top ange laminate. We nd that the total axial
load supported by the top ange is given by:
ttf
ex
Nbxx zb tbf h Atf E xx jxx 33
tf 2 tf
Substituting Eqs. (28), (32), and (33) and solving for zb, we obtain:
2 3
ex ex ex
16 2A E h 2t t A E A E 2t 2h t
w xx bf
bf bf xx
bf
tf xx
tf
b tf
7
zb 4 w
ex ex ex
5 34
2 2A E A E A E
w xx bf xx tf xx
w bf tf
This expression can be simplied by noting that the area of the bottom ange
is Abf = btbf and, further, that the area moment of inertia of the bottom ange
(taken about the local midplane of the bottom ange) is Ibf=btbf3/12:
h i
b 2 ex
Mxx zb tbf =2 Abf E xx Ibf E xx jxx 36
bf bf bf
Comparing this expression with Eq. (36), it is seen that the parallel axis
theorem cannot be used to advantage because the eective extensional
ex
modulus of the bottom ange, Exx bf , diers from the eective exural
modulus of the bottom ange, E xx bf
.
Finally, we consider the moment supported by the top ange. Following
an equivalent process, we conclude that the moment support by the top ange
laminate is given by:
h i
b 2 ex
Mxx zb tbf h ttf =2 Atf E xx Itf E xx jxx 37
tf tf tf
ex
zb tbf h ttf =22 Atf E xx Ibf E xx Itf E xx
tf bf tf
If a box-beam is considered for which the bottom and top ange laminates
ex
are identical (i.e., if Abf = Atf, tbf = ttf, and E xx bf = E xx tf ), then Eq. (38)
ex
reduces to:
2 3
ex
tbf h2 Abf E xx
ex
EI 2Iw E xx 24 bf
Ibf E xx 5
w 4 bf
where Iw is the area moment of inertia of a web laminate, taken about the
neutral axis of the box-beam.
This concludes our analysis of a composite box-beam. To summarize,
we have restricted our analysis to composite box-beams that possess certain
material and geometric symmetries. Specically, both the ange and web
laminates must be produced using a symmetric stacking sequence, and the
beam cross section must be symmetric about the plane of loading, the xz
plane. This implies that the two web laminates must be produced using an
identical symmetric stacking sequence, such that the set of ber angles
represented by the two web laminates is symmetric about the xz plane.
The top and bottom ange laminates must also be symmetric, but they need
not be identical. Therefore the beam cross section need not be symmetric
about the yz plane. Having dened a beam cross section in this way, then the
Solution
Part (a). Since both webs and anges are produced using an 8-ply stacking
sequence, laminate thicknesses are:
The length of the bottom and top ange laminates equals the overall width
of the beam (30 mm). The length of the web laminates is:
We can now calculate the area properties of the web and ange laminates:
Aw htw 48 mm1 mm 48 106 m2
Abf Atf btbf 30 mm1 mm 30 106 m2
btbf 3 30 mm1 mm3
Ibf Itf 2:5 1012 m4
12 12
The eective moduli for the web and ange laminates are calculated using the
process described in Sec. 9.1 of Chap. 6 and are found to be:
ex ex ex
E xx E xx E xx 90:4 Gpa
w bf tf
E xx E xx 120 Gpa
bf tf
From Table 1, for a composite box-beam, the location of the centroid is given
by:
2 3
ex ex ex
16 2A E h 2t t A E A E 2t 2h t
w xx bf
bf bf xx
bf
tf xx
tf
bf tf
7
zb 4 w
ex ex ex
5
2 2Aw E xx Abf E xx Atf E xx
w bf tf
Ibf E xx Itf E xx
bf tf
Part (b). The web and bottom anges are produced using the same 8-ply
stacking sequence considered in Part (a), but now the top ange is a 20-ply
laminate. Adjusting our previous calculations, we nd:
tw tbf 80:125 mm 1 mm
ttf 200:125 mm 2:5 mm
h 50 mm tbf ttf 50 mm 1 mm 2:5 mm 46:5 mm
Aw htw 46:5 mm1 mm 46:5 106 m2
Abf btbf 30 mm1 mm 30 106 m2
Atf bttf 30 mm2:5 mm 75 106 m2
btbf 3 30 mm1 mm3
Ibf 2:5 1012 m4
12 12
bttf 3 30 mm2:5 mm3
Itf 39:1 1012 m4
12 12
ex ex
E xx E xx 90:4 GPa
w bf
AE 17:4 106 N
IE 6:35 103 N m2
The increased thickness of the top ange laminate has increased the eective
axial and exural rigidities by 23% and 29%, respectively.
Part (c). For this cross section, the web laminates are produced using the
same 8-ply stacking sequence considered in Part (a), but now, both the bottom
and top anges consist of a 20-ply laminate. We nd:
tw 80:125 mm 1 mm
ttf tbf 200:125 mm 2:5 mm
h 50 mm tbf ttf 50 mm 2:5 mm 2:5 mm 45 mm
Aw htw 45 mm1 mm 45 106 m2
Abf Atf btbf 30 mm2:5 mm 75 106 m2
btbf 3 30 mm2:5 mm3
Ibf Itf 39:1 1012 m4
12 12
ex
E xx 90:4 GPa
w
ex ex
E xx E xx 83:3 GPa
bf tf
E xx E xx 94:0 GPa
bf tf
b
Nxx LBC
uo BC
BC AE xx BC
b
Nxx LCD
uo CD
CD AE xx CD
where LAB, LBC, and LCD represent the length of beam segments AB, BC, and
CD, respectively. The elongation of the bar as a whole is simply the sum of the
elongation induced over each segment:
b
X Nxx Li
uo i
39
i AE xx i
NBb and NCb. An unknown reaction force is induced at each end of the bar,
Rbxx jA and RbxxjD. Note that both reaction forces have been assumed to act in
the +x-direction in Fig. 16. Enforcing the appropriate equation of equilib-
rium (SFx = 0), we nd:
Rbxx NbB NbC Rbxx 0 40
A D
Since Rxxb
jA and Rxx
b
jD are unknown, a second independent equation is
required in order to solve for the reaction forces. The remaining equations
of equilibrium cannot be used to provide the necessary second independent
equation since only axial loads are present. The second independent equation
is obtained by requiring that the beam satisfy known boundary conditions.
That is, since the beam is clamped at both ends, the total elongation of the
beam must be zero. By requiring that the total elongation is zero, we develop a
second independent equation, known as an equation of compatibility. Treating
Equations (40) and (41) represent two independent equations in two un-
knowns, Rbxx jA and Rbxx jD. Once these equations are solved to determine the
reaction forces, then the axial force induced in any segment of the beam may
also be determined.
The analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate composite
beams will be illustrated in Example Problems 2 and 3, respectively.
Example Problem 2
Assume that the composite beam shown in Fig. 15 is a graphiteepoxy box-
beam, produced using a pre-preg system with the material properties listed in
Table 3 of Chap. 3 and a ply thickness of 0.125 mm. Over segment AC, the
beam has the cross section previously shown in Fig. 14(c). That is, the two web
laminates are produced using an 8-ply [0/90]2s stacking sequence, whereas the
top and bottom ange laminates are produced using a 20-ply [(0/90)2s/ F 45]s
stacking sequence. Over segment CD, the beam has the cross section
previously shown in Fig. 14(a). Thus, over this segment, both the web and
ange laminates are produced using an 8-ply [0/90]2s stacking sequence. The
length of each beam segment is as follows:
LAB 250 mm
LBC 500 mm
LCD 250 mm
Thus, the total length of the beam is 1.0 m. Finally, the applied loads are:
NBb 15 kN
NCb 10 kN
NDb 5 kN
Determine the total beam elongation produced by this loading condition.
i AE xx i
b b b
Nxx LAB Nxx LBC Nxx LCD
uo AB
BC
CD
AE xx AB AE xx BC AE xx CD
Example Problem 3
Assume that the composite beam shown in Fig. 16 is a graphiteepoxy box-
beam, produced using a pre-preg system with the material properties listed in
Table 3 of Chap. 3 and a ply thickness of 0.125 mm. Over segment AC, the
beam has the cross section previously shown in Fig. 14(c). That is, the two web
laminates are produced using an 8-ply [0/90]2s stacking sequence, whereas the
top and bottom ange laminates are produced using a 20-ply [(0/90)2s/ F 45]s
stacking sequence. Over segment CD, the beam has the cross section
previously shown in Fig. 14(a). Thus, over this segment, both the web and
ange laminates are produced using an 8-ply [0/90]2s stacking sequence. The
length of each beam segment is as follows:
LAB 250 mm
LBC 500 mm
LCD 250 mm
b
Thus, the total length of the beam is 1.0 m. Finally,
loadsbNB = 15 kN and
b b
NC = 10 kN. Determine the reaction forces Rxx A and Rxx D .
b
The fact that Rxx D
is negative implies that it acts in the direction opposite to
that shown in Fig. 16(b).
b
The unknown reaction force Rxx A
can now be determined through the
application of Eq. (40):
Rbxx NbB NbC Rbxx Rbxx 15 kN 10 kN 10:1 kN 0
A D A
Rbxx 14:9 kN
A
b
Reaction Rxx A
is also negative, implying that it acts the direction opposite to
that shown in Fig. 16(b).
Figure 18 Common beam support conditions. (a) Pinned support. (b) Roller
support. (c) Clamped support.
Beam problems may now be divided into two main categories: statically
determinate beams and statically indeterminate beams. For a statically
determinate beam, the unknown reaction forces are determined solely
through the application of the equations of equilibrium. Since we only have
two remaining equilibrium equations, it is apparent that a statically determi-
nate beam can have (at most) two unknown reaction forces. Free-body
diagrams for simply supported, cantilevered, and overhanging beams are
shown in Fig. 20. All reaction forces are shown in an algebraically positive
sense. In each case, only two unknown reaction forces are involved, and hence
each of these beams is statically determinate. In contrast, if a beam problem
involves three (or more) reaction forces, then the beam is statically indeter-
minate and the reaction forces are determined through the application of the
equations of equilibrium and consideration of beam deections. An example
of a statically indeterminate beam is shown in Fig. 21. In this case, the beam is
clamped at one end, supported by a roller support at the other end, and
subjected to a known transverse point load P. A total of three unknown
reaction forces exist in this case (R(A) (B) b
z , Rz , and Mo ), as indicated in the
accompanying free-body diagram. The three unknown reaction forces cannot
* For pure bending, Eq. (43) is exact and is derived in any text devoted to mechanics of
materials, including Refs. [15] for example.
Example Problem 4
A cantilevered graphiteepoxy box-beam subjected to a linearly increasing
distributed load qx qo =Lx is shown in Fig. 22(a):
(a) Obtain analytical expressions giving the reaction forces and
transverse beam deections.
(b) Assume that the beam has the box cross section previously shown
in Fig. 14(c) and length L=1 m. Obtain numerical values for re-
action forces and plot transverse beam deections if qo=200 N/m.
Solutions
Part (a). A free-body diagram of the beam is shown in Fig. 22(b). Since the
beam is clamped, two reaction forces may exist at the left-hand end: Rz and
Mob . The rst step is to determine the magnitude and algebraic sign of these
unknown reaction forces. The beam is statically determinate since only two
unknown reaction forces are present. The reaction forces are initially assumed
to act in an algebraically positive sense, as shown in Fig. 22(b).
To determine Rz and Mob, we rst replace the distributed load q(x) with
the statically equivalent force qo L/2, located at x = 2L/3. This statically
equivalent force is shown in Fig. 22(b). By summing (a) forces in the z-
direction, (b) moments about the y-axis, and (c) equating both to zero (SFz =
SMy = 0), we obtain analytical expressions giving the reaction forces at the
clamped end:
qo L qo L2
Rz Mbo a
2 3
Note that if qo>0, then the bending moment Mob is algebraically
negative and would act in the sense opposite to that shown in Fig. 22(b).
The internal shear and bending moment induced at any cross section located
at arbitrary position x can now be determined using the free-body diagram
shown in Fig. 23. Summing forces in the z-direction, we nd:
qo 2
b
Vxz x L x2
2L
b
A so-called shear force diagram is created by plotting Vxz (x), as shown in
Fig. 24. Similarly, summing moments about an axis passing through the left-
hand side of the free-body diagram shown in Fig. 23 and parallel to the y-axis,
we nd:
qo
Mxxb
x 2L3 3L2 x x3
6L
b
A so-called bending moment diagram is created by plotting Mxx (x), as shown
b
in Fig. 24. Substituting the above expression for the bending moment Mxx (x)
into Eq. (44), we nd:
d2 w qo
2L3 3L2 x x3
dx2 6LIE xx
Integrating once results in:
dw qo 3L2 x2 x4
2L3 x C1
dx 6LIE xx 2 4
where C1 is a constant of integration. Since the beam is clamped at the left end,
the slope must equal zero there: dw/dx = 0 at x = 0. Enforcing this boundary
condition, we nd that the constant of integration must equal zero:
C1 0
Performing a second integration and simplifying, we obtain:
qo x2
w 20L3 10L2 x x3 C2
120LIE xx
q o x2
w 20L3 10L2 x x3 b
120LIE xx
Note that this result is included in the list of solutions tabulated in Appendix
C, Table C.1.
Part (b). The eective exural rigidity of the box-beam shown in Fig.
14(c) was determined as a part of Example Problem 1 and was found to be:
IE xx 8:43 103 N m2
Solution
Part (a). Deections induced by a concentrated moment Mob and distrib-
uted load q(x) when acting separately are included in Table C.1. The deec-
tions due to Mob acting alone are given by:
Mbo x2
wx
Mbo 2IE xx
Mbo x2 q o x2
wx wx b wx 20L3 10L2 x x3
Mo qx 2IE xx 120LIE xx
Part (b). The distributed load q(x) will tend to deect the beam downwards
(i.e., in the positive z-direction), whereas Mob will tend to deect the beam
upwards (in the negative z-direction).
Using the values specied for beam dimensions, material properties,
and loads, deections are given (in millimeters) by:
We require that the total beam deection equals zero at the right end
(at x=L) since the beam is supported by a roller at that point. Hence:
1 h i
wx L Pa2 3L a RB 2
z L 3L L 0
6IE xx
RA B
z Rz P c
RB
z L Mo Pa
b
d
where Eq. (d) was obtained by summing moments about the left end of the
beam (at x = 0).
Expressions (b), (c), and (d) represent three simultaneous equations in
terms of the three unknown reaction forces. They can be rewritten in matrix
form as:
2 38 A 9 8 2 9
0 2L3 0 > > Rz > > >
> Pa a 3L >>
6 >
7> > >
> > >
>
6 7< B = < =
61 1 0 7 P
6 7> z > >
R
>
4 5>
> >
> > > >
>
: b >
> ; > : >
;
0 L 1 Mo Pa
Part (b). Based on the specied numerical values, the reaction forces are:
1000N h i
RA
z 0:75m 3
21m 3
30:75m 2
1m 367N
21m3
1000N0:75m2
RB
z 31m 0:75m 633N
21m3
1000N0:75m h i
Mbo 2
0:75m2 21m2 30:75m1m
21m
117Nm
B
Rz x2
wx 3L x
B
Rz 6IE xx
Since 1 Pa = 1 N/m2, all lengths must be input in meters. For example, ply
thicknesses must be input in meters (not millimeters). A typical value would
be tk = 0.000125 m (corresponding to a ply thickness of 0.125 mm). Similarly,
if an I-beam that involves a 50-mm-wide ange laminate was under consid-
eration, then the width of the ange must be input as 0.050 m.
If the English system of units was used, then the following numerical
values would be input for the same graphiteepoxy material system:
E11 25:0 106 psi E22 1:5 106 psi v12 0:30
G12 1:9 10 psi
6
HOMEWORK PROBLEMS
Notes: Computer programs CLT and BEAM are used in the following
problems. These programs can be downloaded from the following website:
http://depts.washington.edu/amtas/computer.html.
REFERENCES
1. Gere, J.M.; Timoshenko, S.P. Mechanics of Materials, 4th Ed.; PWS Publishing
Co.: Boston, MA, ISBN 0-534-93429-3, 1997.
2. Craig, R.R. Mechanics of Materials. John Wiley and Sons: New York, NY, ISBN
0-471-50284-7, 1996.
3. Hibbeler, R.C. Mechanics of Materials, 4th Ed.; Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle
River, New Jersey, ISBN 0-13-016467-4, 2000.
1 PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION
Thin-plate theory as applied to isotropic plates was developed throughout the
19th and 20th centuries and is now very well established. Many textbooks
devoted to isotropic plates have been published; two typical examples are
Timoshenko and Woinowsky-Krieger (1) and Ugural (2). Although thin plate
theory is also applicable to anisotropic plates, relatively few texts devoted to
487
It is emphasized that the resultants applied to the edges parallel to the y-axis
are either constants or are functions of y only. This will become an important
point in following discussions.
In a similar manner, a stress resultant Nyy may be applied to the two
plate edges parallel to the x-axis, as shown in Fig. 1b. In this case the plate
edge is parallel to the x-axis, and hence the stress resultants applied along
these edges are functions of x only. Stress and moment resultants Nyx, Myy,
and Myx also act on these plate edges. As before, we must distinguish between
loads applied to the negative and positive y-edge:
shear resultants, and transverse loading are shown in Fig. 4b (it should be
understood that the resultants and transverse loads shown in Fig. 4a,b are
applied simultaneously to the element). Once again, it is important to realize
that the resultants shown are induced at an interior region represented by the
innitesimal element and do not necessarily equal the external loads applied
along the edges of the laminate. A superscript (*) will be used to denote
resultants present at interior regions of the laminate. Also, because the
element is innitesimal we do not need to distinguish between shear resultants
on adjacent faces, i.e., N*yx =N*xy .
All resultants are assumed to vary slightly across the innitesimal
length and width of the element. For example, the stress resultant Nxx* acting
on the negative x-face of the element is assumed to vary slightly over distance
multiply it by the distance over which it acts, namely, by distance dy. Fig. 5b
shows that the line-of-action of Nxx* is not precisely parallel to the x-axis, due
to the out-of-plane deection. The component of the force associated with
* that is parallel to the x-axis is therefore given by:
Nxx
N*
xx dycosa
We now assume that angle a is small (less than about 10j or 0.1745 rad), such
that the small-angle approximation can be applied: cos a c1. With this
assumption the component of the force associated with Nxx * that is parallel
to the x-axis reduces to:
N*
xx dy
In eect, invoking the small-angle approximation implies that we will ignore
the fact that Nxx
* is not precisely parallel to the x-axis during the summation of
forces in the x-direction. In exactly the same way, the x-directed forces acting
on the other three sides of the element are given by:
x-directed force acting on the positive x-face:
BNxx*
*
Nxx dx dy
Bx
x-directed force acting on the negative y-face:
Nxy
*dx
x-directed force acting on the positive y-face:
BNxy*
*
Nxy dy dx
By
Simplifying, we obtain:
* BNxy
BNxx *
0 2a
Bx By
Eq. (2a) is the rst equation of equilibrium. It shows that if Nxx * does
indeed vary in the x-direction at an interior point in the plate, then N*xy must
also vary in the y-direction at a comparable rate, so that static equilibrium is
maintained.
A second free-body diagram showing only those stress resultants whose
line-of-action is parallel to the y-axis is shown Fig. 6. As before, the xy plane
of the element is shown in Fig. 6a while the yz plane is shown in Fig. 6b.
Summing forces in the y-direction, invoking the small angle approximation,
and equating to zero (SFy =0), we nd:
BNyy* BNxy
*
Nyy * dx Nyy * dy dx Nxy * dy Nxy * dx dy 0
By Bx
BNyy
* BNxy*
0 2b
By Bx
Eq. (2b) is the second equation of equilibrium.
Let us now consider forces parallel to the z-axis. Due to out-of-plane
deection of the plate midsurface the stress resultants shown in Figs. 5 and 6
have components in the z-direction. For example, from Fig. 5b the compo-
nent of the force associated with Nxx
* that is parallel to the z-axis is given by:
Nxx
*dysina
The small angle approximation (where a is expressed in radians) is:
Bw
sinacac
Bx
* is:
Hence, the z-directed component of the force associated with Nxx
Bw
Nxx
*dy
Bx
Bw
Nxy
* dx
Bx
z-directed force acting on the positive y-face:
BNxy
* Bw B2 w
*
Nxy dy dy dx
By Bx BxBy
B2 w BN*xx Bw B2 w BN*xy Bw
N*xx 2 N*xy dxdy a
Bx Bx Bx BxBy By Bx
B2 w BN*yy Bw B2 w BN*xy Bw
N*yy 2 N*xy dxdy b
By By By BxBy Bx By
BVxz
* BVyz*
Vxz*dy Vxz* dx dy Vyz * dx Vyz * dy dx
Bx By
qx; ydxdy
* BVyz
BVxz *
qx; y dxdy c
Bx By
We are now ready to sum all forces in the z-direction. Adding expressions (a),
(b), and (c), equating the resulting sum to zero (SFz =0), and rearranging,
there results:
B2 w B2 w B2 w BNxx* BNxy * Bw
* 2 Nyy
Nxx * 2 2Nxy *
Bx By BxBy Bx By Bx
BNyy * BNxy* Bw BVxz * BVyz *
qx; y 0
By Bx By Bx By
Notice that the terms within the two sets of parenthesis have been previously
shown to equal zero, in accordance with Eqs. (2a) and (2b). Hence these terms
may be dropped, and our third equation of equilibrium becomes:
B2 w B2 w B2 w * BVyz
BVxz *
*
Nxx N *
yy 2N *
xy qx; y 0 2c
Bx2 By2 BxBy Bx By
Eqs. (2a), (2b), and (2c) represent the requirement that all forces in the x-, y-,
and z-directions, respectively, sum to zero.
Now consider moment equilibrium about the x-axis. A free-body dia-
gram showing the resultants that contribute to the moment about the x-axis is
shown in Fig. 7a. Summing moments and equating to zero (SMx =0), we
have:
BMyy * BMxy*
Myy* dx Myy * dy dx Mxy * dy Mxy * dx dy
By Bx
BVyz
* BVxz
* dy
Vyz * dy dxdy Vxz * dx dy
By Bx 2
dy dy
Vxz *dy qx; ydxdy 0
2 2
BMxy* BMyy*
*
Vyz 3a
Bx By
A free-body diagram showing the stress and moment resultants that
contribute to the moment about the y-axis is shown in Fig. 7b. Summing
moments (SMy = 0), we have:
BMxx* BMxy*
Mxx
*dy Mxx * dx dy Mxy * dx Mxy * dy dx
Bx By
BVxz* BVyz
* dx
Vxz * dx dydx Vyz * dy dx
Bx By 2
dy dx
Vyz* dx qx; ydxdy 0
2 2
Upon completing the algebra indicated, a negligible higher-order term
appears (in this case dx2). Neglecting all terms that include this factor and
simplifying, we obtain:
BMxx* BMxy*
*
Vxz 3b
Bx By
BNxy* BNxy*
Nxy * dx dy dx Nxy * dy dx dy
Bx By
BNyy
* dx dx
Nyy * dy dx Nyy* dx 0
By 2 2
* BNxy
BNxx *
0 5a
Bx By
BNyy
* BNxy*
0 5b
By Bx
* BNxy
BNxx *
0 6a
Bx By
BNyy
* BNxy*
0 6b
By Bx
B2 Mxx* B2 Myy* B2 Mxy
*
2 qx; y 0 6c
Bx 2 By 2 BxBy
Eqs. (6a)(6c) are valid if the maximum out-of-plane displacement is less than
about half the plate thickness: w(x,y)jmax< t/2.
In this equation:
N* and M* represent internal stress and moment resultants
associated with externally applied forces,
NT represents thermal stress resultants associated with a uniform
through-thickness change in temperature, DT, and
NM represents moisture stress resultants associated with a uniform
through-thickness change in moisture content, DM.
Recall that only uniform changes in temperature and/or moisture
content are considered in this text. Consequently, NT and NM should be
viewed as constants, i.e., they are not functions of x, y, or z.
Expanding the rst of the six equations represented by Eq. (7), we have:
We will now express the midplane strains and curvatures that appear in this
expression in terms of midplane displacement gradients. Before we do so,
however, the discussion presented in Sec. 14 of Chapter 2 should be reiterated.
In particular, a distinction between nite strains and innitesimal strains was
made at that point. Basically, strains can be considered to be innitesimal
when displacement gradients are small, so that the square of any displacement
gradient can be neglected; (Bw/Bx)2 c 0, for example. In this chapter we have
already assumed that the slope of the deected plate midplane is small (i.e.,
Bw/Bx and Bw/By have already been assumed to be small), which allowed us
to apply the small angle approximation. Consequently, we will continue to
treat strains as innitesimal strains. As we will see, this assumption will
ultimately lead to the conclusion that in-plane displacement elds uo(x,y) and
vo(x,y) (as well as in-plane forces) are independent of the transverse load,
q(x,y). Rigorously speaking, this conclusion is incorrect. That is, if a thin plate
is subjected to a transverse loading then in-plane displacement elds and/or
in-plane forces will change, reecting a dependence on transverse load.
However, if displacement gradients are small, then the changes in-plane
displacements or forces are also small and can usually be ignored. In eect,
the assumption of innitesimal strains has eliminated (in a mathematical
sense) the coupling between transverse loads and in-plane displacements/
Note that this quantity appears as a term in the rst equation of equilibrium,
Eq. (5a). Also note that neither the thermal nor moisture stress resultant is
involved in this result, because as previously noted NT and NM are constants
and therefore BNTxx =Bx BNM xx =Bx 0. Following an analogous procedure,
the second term in Eq. (5a) is found to be:
2
BNxy* B2 uo B 2 vo B uo B 2 vo
A16 A26 A66
By BxBy By2 By2 BxBy
Adding these two results, Eq. (5a) can be written in terms of elements of the
[ABD] matrix and midplane displacements as follows:
B 2 uo B 2 vo B 2 uo B2 vo B2 vo
A11 A12 A66 2A16 A16 A26
Bx 2 BxBy BxBy Bx 2 By2
8a
B2 uo
A66 0
By2
B 2 uo B2 uo B2 vo B 2 uo B 2 vo
A16 A 12 A66 2A 26 A26 A22
Bx2 BxBy BxBy By2 By2
8b
B2 vo
A66 0
Bx2
2
Buo Bvo Buo Bvo B w
A11 A12 A16 Nxx Nxx
T M
Bx By By Bx Bx2
2
Buo Bvo Buo Bvo B w
A12 A22 A26 NTyy NM
Bx By By Bx yy
By2
8c
2
Buo Bvo Buo Bvo B w
2 A16 A26 A66 Nxy Nxy
T M
Bx By By Bx BxBy
B4 w B4 w B4 w
D11 4D16 4D 26
Bx4 Bx3 By BxBy3
B4 w B4 w
2D12 2D66 D22 4 qx; y 0
Bx By
2 2 By
B 2 uo B 2 vo B 2 uo B 2 vo B 2 vo
A11 A 12 A66 2A 16 A16 A26
Bx2 BxBy BxBy Bx2 By2
9a
B2 uo
A66 0
By2
B 2 uo B2 uo B2 vo B 2 uo B 2 vo
A16 A12 A66 2A26 A26 A22
Bx 2 BxBy BxBy By 2 By2
9b
B 2 vo
A66 0
Bx2
3 BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
A summary of the material presented in Secs. 1 and 2 is as follows. We
consider a thin rectangular plate of in-plane dimensions a b, whose edges are
parallel to the x- and y- axes. The external edge loads considered in thin plate
theory were introduced in Sec. 1. A total of ve types of externally applied
distributed loads may be present on each of the four edges of a rectangular
laminate: one normal stress resultant, one in-plane shear stress resultant, one
out-of-plane shear stress resultant, one bending moment resultant, and one
twisting moment resultant. Each of these loads is, at most, a function of the
coordinate direction tangent to the plate edge. In addition, a transverse
loading q(x,y) may be applied to the surface of the laminate. Fig. 3 provides a
summary of all externally applied loads considered in thin plate theory.
These externally applied edge loads induce a distribution of internal
stress and moment resultants at all interior regions of the plate. Generally,
internal stress and moment resultants are functions of both x and y and
vary throughout the plate. The distribution of internal stress and moment
resultants were investigated in Sec. 2.1 by considering free-body diagrams of
an innitesimal element removed from an interior point within the plate.
Requiring that the sum of all forces and moments equate to zero resulted in
the equations of equilibrium, summarized as Eqs. (5a)(5c). If the max-
imum out-of-plane displacement is less than half the laminate thickness,
then a simplied version of the equations of equilibrium is applicable,
summarized as Eqs. (6a)(6c). A mathematically equivalent form for a
symmetric composite laminate was obtained in Sec. 2.2, where the equations
of equilibrium were written in terms of elements of the [ABD] matrix and
midplane displacement elds, summarized as Eqs. (8a)(8c) and Eqs. (9a)
(9c).
In this section we will formally dene the boundary conditions of the
plate. That is, we wish to precisely dene what conditions exist along each of
the four edges of the rectangular plate. Actually, we have already begun our
discussion of boundary conditions, in the sense that the external stress and
moment resultants that may be applied along the edges of the laminate were
described in Sec. 1. However, in many instances the loads applied along the
plate edges are unknown and hence cannot be used as specied boundary
conditions. Rather, the midplane displacements along the edges are known,
where displacements of the midplane in the x-, y, and z-directions are
denoted uo(x,y), vo(x,y), and w(x,y), respectively, as in earlier chapters.
Hence, two categories of boundary conditions can be dened. We can either
specify components of the edge displacements, or we can specify components
of the edge loads. Boundary conditions involving specied displacements are
called geometric (or kinematic) boundary conditions, while boundary con-
ditions involving specied edge loads are called static (or natural) boundary
conditions.
(+x)
magnitude Mxy ( y), acting in the directions shown and separated by
distance dy. Similarly, the element on the left is subjected to two vertical
x x
shear resultants of magnitude [Mxy (y)+(dMxy ( y)/dy)dy], acting in the
directions shown and separated by distance dy. Summing the shear force
components present at the interface between the two innitesimal elements,
x x x x
we obtain {[Mxy ( y)+(dMxy ( y)/dy)dy]Mxy ( y)}=(dMxy ( y)/dy)dy.
(+x)
Hence the variation of the twist moment M xy ( y) along the edge x =a is
x
statically equivalent to a vertical shear resultant of magnitude dMxy ( y)/dy.
Adding this statically equivalent vertical shear resultant component to the
(+x)
external vertical shear that is actually applied to the edge, Vxz ( y), we dene
the Kirchho shear resultant acting along the edge x= a:
x
dMxy y
V xK
xz y V x
xz y 10
dy
* It is noted that a similar interdependence occurs between the shear force and bending mo-
ment present in a prismatic beam. That is, from fundamental beam theory, the shear force pres-
ent at any cross section within a prismatic beam is related to the bending moment according to
V = dM/dx.
resultant is used to specify both the vertical shear and twist moment acting
along the edge of the plate.
Recalling that stress and moment resultants at any arbitrary interior
point of the plate are denoted Nxx * (x,y), Nyy
* (x,y), Nxy
* (x,y), Nyx * (x,y),
Mxx* (x,y), Myy
* (x,y), Mxy
* (x,y), Myx
* (x,y), Vxz
* (x,y), and Vyz
* (x,y), the static
boundary conditions that may be specied along the edges x= a are as
follows:
For edge x= a:
x
*a; y Nxx y
Nxx
*a; y Nx
Nxy xy y
*a; y Mx
Mxx xx y
x x
BMxx
*a; y BMxy
*a; y dMxy y dMxy y
2 V x
xz y 2
Bx By dy dy
Static boundary conditions along the edge x= a have been discussed above.
Following an analogous procedure, static boundary conditions that may
be present along the remaining three edges of the rectangular plate are as
follows:
For edge x= 0:
x
*0; y Nxx y
Nxx
x
*0; y Nxy y
Nxy
x
*0; y Mxx y
Mxx
x x
BMxx
*0; y BMxy
*0; y dMxy y dMxy y
2 V x
xz y 2
Bx By dy dy
Bwx; b Bwy x y
OR *x; b M yy x
Myy
By By
BMyy
*x; b BMyx
*x; b
wx; b wy x OR 2
By Bx
y
dM yx x
V y
yz x
dx
y
dM yx x
2
dx
The following conditions can be specied for the edge y =0:
Geometric Condition Static Condition
y y
uo x; 0 uo x OR *x; 0 N yx x
Nyx
y y
vo x; 0 vo x OR *x; 0 N yy x
Nyy
Bwx; 0 Bwy x y
OR *x; 0 M yy x
Myy
By By
BMyy
*x; 0 BMyx
*x; 0
wx; 0 wy x OR 2
By Bx
y
y dM yx x
Vyz x
dx
y
dM yx x
2
dx
The number of dierent combinations that may be dened is enormous.
Four conditions must be specied to dene the boundary conditions along
*a; y 0
Nxx
*a; y 0
Nxy
*a; y 0
Mxx
BMxx
*a; y BMxy
*a; y
2 0
Bx By
Analogous boundary conditions may be used to specify that any of the
remaining three edges are free edges.
Each of the internal stress and moments resultants can be expressed in
terms of the [ABD] matrix and midplane displacement elds. Recalling that
we have limited our discussion to symmetric laminates (Bij =M ijT=M ijM =0)
the boundary conditions for a free edge may also be written:
For x=a:
Buo a; y Bvo a; y Buo a; y Bvo a; y
A11 A12 A16 Nxx
T
Nxx
M
0
Bx By By Bx
Buo a; y Bvo a; y Buo a; y Bvo a; y
A16 A26 A66 Nxy
T
Nxy
M
0
Bx By By Bx
x x
S1 : wa; y 0 Mxx
*a; y 0 uo a; y uo y vo a; y vo y
x x
*a; y 0 Nxx
S2 : wa; y 0 Mxx *a; y Nxx y vo a; y vo y
x x
* a; y 0
S3 : wa; y 0 Mxx uo a; y uo y *a; y Nxy
Nxy y
x x
* a; y 0
S4 : wa; y 0 Mxx * a; y Nxx
Nxx y Nxy
*a; y Nxy y
wa; y 0
16qo X
l X l
1 mpx npy
qx; y sin sin m; n 1; 3; 5; . . . 18
p2 m 1 n 1 mn a b
How well Eq. (18) describes a constant transverse loading depends on the
number of terms used. A normalized plot of the series representation given by
Eq. (18) along the plate centerline y=b/2 is presented in Fig. 9. Curves are
shown based on a 9-term expansion (i.e., m,n=1,3,5), a 64-term expansion
(m,n=1, 3, 5,. . ., 15), and a 169-term expansion (m,n=1, 3, 5,. . ., 25). The
series clearly converges toward a constant loading as the number of terms
used is increased, although even with 169 terms the series expansion repre-
sents a constant transverse loading in only an approximate sense.
As a second example, consider the case of a transverse force P, uni-
formly distributed over an internal rectangular region of dimensions ai bi,
as shown in Fig. 10. The center of the internal region is located at x=n and
y=g, as shown. It is emphasized that P is dened as a force, with units of
Newtons or pounds-force, for example. Eq. (17) becomes in this case:
Z nai =2 Z gbi =2 mpx npy
4P
qmn sin sin dxdy
abai bi nai =2 gbi =2 a b
Together, Eq. (14) and (19) dene the Fourier series expansion of a force P,
uniformly distributed over the internal region ai bi. To illustrate this series
expansion, consider the following specic example. Assume that the interior
region is centered in the middle of the plate, i.e., let n=a/2, g=b/2. Further,
qmn
64P
p2 mnab
sin mp2 sinnp2 sinmp4 sinnp4 ; m; n odd integers
Note that coecients associated with even integers are zero only because we
let n=a/2, g=b/2 in this example. This would not be true if the interior region
were not centered on the plate. Substituting this result in Eq. (14), we nd:
l
64P X l X
qx; y
1
p2 ab m1 n1 mn
sin
mp
2
sin
np
2
sin
mp
4
sin
np
4
20
sin
a b
mpx mpy
sin ; m; n odd integers
As before, how well Eq. (20) describes a load P uniformly distributed over the
interior region depends on the number of terms used. A normalized plot of the
series representation given by Eq. (20) along the plate centerline y=b/2 is
presented in Fig. 11. Curves are shown based on a 9-term expansion (i.e.,
m,n=1, 3, 5), a 64-term expansion (m,n=1, 3, 5,. . ., 15), and a 169-term
Figure 11 A normalized plot of Eq. (20) along the plate centerline defined by
y = b/2.
qmn
4P
ab
sin
mpn
a
sin
mpg
b
21
Together, Eqs. (14) and (21) dene the Fourier series expansion of a
concentrated force P applied at the point x=n and y=g. As a specic
example, consider the case in which the concentrated load is applied at the
center of the plate, i.e., at n=a/2, g=b/2. In this case Eq. 21 becomes:
8
< 4P 1mn=21 ; m; n odd integers
qmn ab
:
0; m; n even integers
Combining this result with Eq. (14), we nd that the Fourier series expansion
for a concentrated load applied at the center of the plate is given by:
4P Xl X l
qx; y
ab m 1 n 1
sin
mpx
a
sin
npy
b
1mn=21 22
REFERENCES
1. Timoshenko, S.; Woinowsky-Krieger, S. Theory of Plates and Shells; McGraw-
Hill Book Co.: New York, NY, ISBN 0-07-0647798.
2. Ugural, A.C. Stresses in Plates and Shells; McGraw-Hill Book Co.: New York,
NY, ISBN 0-07-065730-0.
3. Whitney, J.M. Structural Analysis of Laminated Anisotropic Plates; Technomic
Pub Co.: Lancaster, PA, ISBN 87762-518-2.
4. Turvey, G.J., Marshall, I.H., Eds.; Buckling and Postbuckling of Composite Plates;
Chapman and Hall: New York, NY, 1995.
5. Almroth, B.O. Influence of edge conditions on the stability of axially compressed
cylindrical shells. AIAA J. 1966, 4 (1), 134140.
527
@ 2 uo @ 2 vo @ 2 uo
A11 A12 A66 A66 0 1a
@x 2 @x@y @y2
S2: wa; y 0 M* a; y 0
xx
*
N a; y N
xx
x
y
xx vo a; y vx
o y
* a; y 0
S3: wa; y 0 Mxx uo a; y ux y N* a; y Nx y
o xy xy
* a; y 0
S4: wa; y 0 Mxx * a; y Nx y
Nxx * a; y Nx y
Nxy
xx xy
Hence the denition of a simply supported edge requires that either in-plane
displacements, in-plane stress resultants, or some combination thereof must
be specied along the edge, in addition to the requirement that out-of-plane
displacements and bending moments vanish along the edge.
The following sequence of events is assumed to occur during fabrication
and assembly of a simply supported composite plate. We assume that the
laminate is cured at an elevated temperature, and that the laminate is stress-
and strain-free at the cure temperature.* Following cure, the laminate is
cooled to room temperature, and therefore midplane displacements (as well as
thermal stress resultants and associated ply strains and stresses) are induced
during cooldown to room temperature. The laminate is then trimmed to the
desired dimensions a b and assembled in a surrounding structure that
provides simple supports along all four edges. According to this scenario then,
midplane displacements have already been induced within the laminate prior
to assembly in the simple supports. Whether additional in-plane displace-
ments subsequently occur, due to application of q(x,y), a further change in
temperature, and/or a change in moisture content, depends on the type of
simple supports involved. That is, the development of additional in-plane
displacements depends on whether simple supports of type S1, S2, S3, or S4
are imposed along each edge of the plate.
All problems considered here will be based on the following. First, we
assume that opposite edges of the plate are subjected to the same type of
simple support. For example, if the edge x = 0 is subjected to the type S1
simple support, then by assumption the edge x = a is also subjected to type
S1 supports. Second, we assume that stress resultants Nxx, Nyy, and/or Nxy
applied to opposite edges of the plate (if any) are identical and uniformly
distributed along the edge. This loading condition is precisely equivalent to
*As mentioned in Section 6.2 of Chap. 6, in practice the stress- and strain-free temperature is often
2050jC below the final cure temperature. This complication has been ignored throughout this
text, and it is assumed that the laminate is stress- and strain-free at the cure temperature.
@uo
a11 Nxx NTxx NM
xx a12 Nyy Nyy Nyy
T M
2a
@x
@vo
a12 Nxx NTxx NM
xx a22 Nyy Nyy Nyy
T M
2b
@y
@uo @vo
a66 Nxy 2c
@y @x
We will not consider a change in moisture content (i.e., let DM = 0), although
from earlier discussion it should be clear that a change in moisture content
can be accounted for (in a mathematical sense) using the same techniques
used to model uniform changes in temperature.
Let us dene DT c as the change in temperature from cure to room
temperature:
DT c TRT TC
uco x; y axx DT c x 5a
vco x; y ayy DT c y 5b
For x 0 For x a :
w0; y 0 wa; y 0
For y 0 For y b :
wx; 0 0 wx; b 0
* x; 0 D @ w
2
@ w 2
* x; b D @ w D @ w 0
2 2
Myy 11 D 12 0 M 11 12
@x2 @y2 yy
@x2 @y2
y x
uo x; 0 uo x axx DT x
c
uo x; b uo x axx DT c x
y x
vo x; 0 vo x 0 vo x; b vo y ayy DT c b
D 11 2 D 22 DT c
DT 1 1
p4 4 2 2 D12 2D66 4 2 2
A11 axx A12 ayy 2 A12 axx A22 ayy
a a b b p a b
7a
Notice that the temperature change as dened in earlier chapters (DT ) ap-
pears in Eq. (7a). That is:
Also note that if the temperature is not changed following assembly in the
type S1 simple supports, then DT = DT c, and the eects of temperature cancel
in Eq. (7a).
Results from thin-plate theory are often expressed in terms of the so-
called plate aspect ratio, R = a/b. Equation (7a) can be rewritten using the
aspect ratio as follows:
qo R4 b4
c
DT DT a2
c
p4 D11 2R2 D12 2D66 R4 D22 a xx A11 R2
A 12 a yy A 12 R 2
A22
p2
7b
The predicted out-of-plane deection is obtained by combining either
Eq. (7a) or (7b) with Eq. (6). Using Eq. (7b) for example, we have:
qo R4 b4 sinpx=asinpy=b
wx; y
DT c DT a2
p4 D11 2R2 D12 2D66 R4 D22 axx A 11 R 2
A 12 ayy A12 R2
A22
p2
8
Equations (5a), (5b), and (8) give the predicted displacement eld induced in
the plate and represent the solution to this problem.
To summarize, we have considered a symmetric specially orthotropic
plate subjected to type S1 simple-supports. We have assumed that the plate is
mounted within simple supports while at room temperature. The laminate has
therefore likely experienced a change in temperature prior to assembly be-
cause modern composites are typically cured at an elevated temperature. The
change in temperature associated with cooldown to room temperature is
represented by DT c. After assembly, the plate is subjected to a sinusoidally
varying transverse loading and/or the temperature is changed away from
room temperature. The resulting displacement elds are given by Eqs. (5a),
(5b), and (8). A typical application of this solution is discussed in Sample
Problem 1.
Sample Problem 1
A [02/90)2]s graphiteepoxy laminate is cured at 175jC and then cooled to
room temperature (20jC). After cooling, the at laminate is trimmed to in-
plane dimensions of 300 150 mm and mounted in an assembly that provides
type S1 simple supports along all four edges. The x axis is dened parallel to
the 300 mm edge (i.e., a = 0.3 m; b = 0.15 m). The laminate is then subjected
to a transverse pressure given by q(x,y) = 40 {sin[(px)/a]}{sin[(py)/b]} (kPa)
and a uniform temperature change. No change in moisture content occurs
(DM = 0). Plot the maximum out-of-plane displacement as a function of
temperature, over the range 50jC < T < 20jC. Use the properties listed for
graphiteepoxy in Table 3 of Chap. 3, and assume each ply has a thickness of
0.125 mm.
Solution. The rectangular plate is a 12-ply laminate with total thickness
t = 12(0.125 mm) = 1.5 mm and aspect ratio R = a/b = (0.3 m)/(0.15 m) =
2.0. Out-of-plane displacements are given by Eq. (8), and hence elements of
the [ABD] matrix are required. Based on the properties listed in Table 3 of
Chap. 3 for graphiteepoxy and the specied stacking sequence, the [ABD]
matrix is:
2 3
1:76 106 4:52 106 0 0 0 0
6 7
6 4:52 106 95:6 106 0 0 0 0 7
6 7
6 0 0 19:5 106 0 0 0 7
ABD 6
6
7
7
6 0 0 0 40:1 0:848 0 7
6 7
4 0 0 0 0:848 10:8 0 5
0 0 0 0 0 3:66
where the units of Aij are Pa m and the units of Dij are Pa m3.
We also require the eective thermal expansion coecients. Based on
the properties listed in Table 3 of Chap. 3 for graphiteepoxy and the specied
stacking sequence, these are:
* 0; y N* a; y N
Nxx xx xx
N*yy x; 0 Nyy
* x; b N
yy
N*xy 0; y Nxy
* a; y N* x; 0 N* x; b 0
yx yx
For x = 0,a:
* 0; y Mo a; y D @2w @2w
Mxx 11 D12 0 10b
xx
@x2 @y2
* 0; y N* a; y A @uo A @vo NT N
Nxx 10c
11 12 xx
xx
@x @y xx
* 0; y N* a; y A @uo @vo
Nxy 66 0 10d
xy
@y @x
For y = 0,b:
* * @uo @vo
Nyx x; 0 Nyx x; b A66 0 11d
@y @x
Using Eqs. (3a) and (3b) for the assumed conditions (i.e., Nxy = DM = 0), the
in-plane displacements elds are:
uo x; y a11 Nxx a12 Nyy DT axx x 12a
vo x; y a12 Nxx a22 Nyy DT ayy y 12b
Let us conrm that these equations satisfy the appropriate boundary con-
ditions. Substituting Eqs. (12a) and (12b) into boundary condition (10c) and
rearranging, we nd that the following expression must be satised:
Nxx A11 a11 A12 a12 Nyy A11 a12 A12 a22
DTA11 axx A12 ayy NTxx Nxx
qo R 4 b4
c
14b
a2
p4 D11 2R2 D12 2D66 R4 D22 2
Nxx Nyy R2
p
qo R4 b4 sinpx=asinpy=b
wx; y
15
a2
p D11 2R D12 2D66 R D22 2 Nxx Nyy R
4 2 4 2
p
Equations (12a), (12b), and (15) give the predicted displacement elds in-
duced in the plate and represent the solution to this problem.
To summarize, we have found the displacement elds induced in a
symmetric specially orthotropic type S4 simply supported plate subjected to a
sinusoidally varying transverse load, a uniform change in temperature DT,
and uniform stress resultants Nxx and Nyy. A typical application of this
solution is discussed in Sample Problem 2. It should be kept in mind that we
a212 a12
uo x; y Nxx a11 ayy DT DT axx DT x
c
19
a22 a22
Equations (17) and (19) can be used to specify the displacement boundary
conditions along all four edge of the plate. A summary of all boundary con-
ditions associated with the problem considered in this section is:
For x = 0,a
w0; y wa; y 0 20a
* 0; y M* a; y D @ w D @ w 0
2 2
Mxx 11 12 20b
xx
@x2 @y2
* 0; y N* a; y A @uo A @vo NT N
Nxx 20c
11 12 xx
xx
@x @y xx
vo 0; y vo a; y DT c ayy y 20d
For y = 0,b:
wx; 0 wx; b 0 21a
* x; 0 M* x; b D @ w D @ w 0
2 2
Mxx 12 22 21b
yy
@x2 @y2
uo x; 0 uo x; b
a212 a12
Nxx a11 ayy DT DT axx DT x
c
21c
a22 a22
vo x; 0 0 vo x; b DT c ayy b 21d
Now consider out-of-plane displacements w(x,y). Guided by the func-
tional form of the transverse pressure [i.e., Eq. (16)], we once again assume the
out-of-plane displacement eld is given by:
px py
wx; yc sin sin 22
a b
where c is an unknown constant. Substituting this assumed form into
boundary conditions Eqs. (20a), (20b), (21a), and (21b) will reveal that they
qo
c
D11 2D12 2D66 D22 Nxx 1 A12 ayy A12 A22 A212
p4 4 4 2 DT c
DT
a a2 b2 b p a2 A11 b2 p2 b2 A11
23
Using the denition of the plate aspect ratio, R = a/b, this result can also be
written as:
qo R4 b4
c
R b 4 2
1 A12 ayy A12 A22 A212
p4 D11 2R2 D12 2D66 R4 D22 2 Nxx 2 DT c DT
p R A11 A11
24
qo R4 b4 sinpx=asinpy=b
wx; y
Equations (17), (19), and (25) give the predicted displacement elds induced
in the plate and represent the solution to this problem.
To summarize, we have found the displacement elds induced in a
symmetric specially orthotropic plate subjected to a sinusoidally varying
transverse load and a uniform change in temperature DT. The two edges x =
0,a are subject to simple supports of type S2, whereas the two edges y = 0,b
are subject to simple supports of type S1. A typical application of this solution
is discussed in Sample Problem 3. It should be kept in mind that the
possibility of buckling has not been considered. Buckling is a possibility if
Nxx is compressive or if the change in temperature DT tends to cause the
laminate to expand.
Sample Problem 3A
[(02/90)2]s graphiteepoxy laminate is cured at 175jC and then cooled to
room temperature (20jC). After cooling, the at laminate is trimmed to in-
plane dimensions of 300 150 mm and mounted in an assembly that provides
324
wjmax meters
0:099
p 278 2 Nxx
4
p
Thus any transverse loading can be viewed as the sum of a large number of
sinusoidal load components. The displacements caused by an arbitrary
transverse loading applied to a plate with simple supports of type S4 can
therefore be obtained using the same approach as that used in Sec. 4. The only
a2 n
p4 D11 m4 2D12 2D66 mnR2 D22 nR4 Nxx m2
N yy nR 2
p2
27b
Substituting this result into Eq. (26) completes the solution to the problem.
To summarize, the midplane displacements induced in a symmetric specially
orthotropic laminate subjected to an arbitrary transverse loading given by
Eq. (15) of Chap. 9, constant and uniform in-plane loads Nxx and Nyy, a
uniform temperature change DT, and homogenous simple supports of type S4
along all four edges are given by:
R4 b4 X
l Xl
qmn sinmpx=asinnpy=b
wx; y o
p4 m1 n1 a2 n
D11 m4 2D12 2D66 mnR2 D22 nR4 2 Nxx m2 Nyy nR2
p
28c
16qo
qmn ; m; n odd integers
p2 mn
Combining these coecients with Eq. (28c) allows prediction of out-of-plane
displacements. A plot of these displacements along the centerline of the plate
to buckling, the internal stress resultants at all points within the laminate are
uniform and given by:
@uo @vo
N*xx x; y A11 A12 NTxx Nx x
xx Nxx Nxx 29a
@x @y
* x; y A @uo A @vo NT Ny Ny N
Nyy 29b
12 22 yy
@x @y yy yy yy
* x; y A @uo @vo
Nxy 66 0 29c
@y @x
It is emphasized that Eqs. (29a), (29b), and (19c) are valid prior to buckling.
After buckling has occurred and signicant out-of-plane displacements have
wx; y 0 30a
* 0; y D @ 2 w0; y @ 2 w0; y
Mxx 11 D12 0 30b
@x 2 @y2
Along x = a:
wa; y 0 31a
* a; y D @ wa; y
2
@ wa; y
2
Mxx 11 D12 0 31b
@x2 @y2
Along y = 0:
wx; 0 0 32a
* x; 0 D @ 2 wx; 0 @ 2 wx; 0
Myy 12 D22 0 32b
@x 2 @y2
Along y = b:
wx; b 0 33a
* x; b D @ wx; b
2
@ wx; b
2
Myy 12 D22 0 33b
@x 2 @y2
The equation of equilibrium governing out-of-plane displacements, Eq. (1c),
is [with q(x,y) = DM = 0]:
2
@uo @vo @ w
A11 A12 NTxx
@x @y @x2
2
@uo @vo @ w
A12 A22 Nyy
T
@x @y @y2
34
2
@uo @vo @ w @4w
2 A66 D11 4
@y @x @x@y @x
@4w @4w
2D12 2D66 D 22 0
@x2 @y2 @y4
Equations (29a), (29b), and (29c) are valid up to the onset of buckling; that is,
we assume that internal stress resultants are constant and uniform as the
Using the denition of the plate aspect ratio, R = a/b, this result can also be
written as:
"
p2
Nxx D11 m4 2D12 2D66 mnR2
ma2
# 39
4 naR 2
D22 nR Nyy
p
Hence, given some value for Nyy z 0 and assumed integer values for m and n,
either Eq. (38) or (39) can be used to calculate a corresponding value for Nxx.
Because m and n can be any combination of positive integers, there are an
innite number of values for Nxx that satisfy Eq. (38) or (39). The critical
c
buckling load, denoted Nxx , corresponds to the particular combination of m
and n that leads to the value of Nxx with lowest magnitude. The combination
of m and n that correspond to this lowest load dene the predicted critical
buckling mode.
The following observations are based on inspection of Eq. (38) or (39).
Because we have assumed for the moment that Nyy z 0, all variables that
appear on the right side of the equality sign are algebraically positive. Hence
c c
Nxx must be algebraically negative, i.e., the critical buckling load Nxx is
predicted to be compressive, as would be expected. Secondly, the minimum
magnitude of Nxx c
will always correspond to n = 1 because Nyy z 0. Finally,
note that if the constant transverse load Nyy is increased, then the magnitude
c
of Nxx is increased. That is, a transverse tension will cause an increase in the
critical buckling load.
As a second loading condition of interest, let us now assume that a
constant Nxx z 0 is applied, and that a compressive load in the y direction
causes buckling. Solving Eq. (37) for Nyy, we nd:
"
p2
Nyy 2 4 2 D11 mb4 2D12 2D66 mnab2
n ab
# 40
4 mab 2
D22 na Nxx
p
Sample Problem 5
A [(02/90)2]s graphiteepoxy laminate is cured at 175jC and then cooled to
room temperature (20jC). After cooling, the at laminate is trimmed to in-
plane dimensions of 300 150 mm and mounted in an assembly that provides
type S4 simple supports along all four edges. The x axis is dened parallel to
the 300 mm edge (i.e., a = 0.3 m; b = 0.15 m).
c
(a) Predict the critical buckling load Nxx and mode for this laminate, if
0 V Nyy V 400 kN/m.
c
(b) Predict the critical buckling load Nyy and mode for this laminate, if
0 V Nxx V 400 kN/m.
Use the properties listed for graphiteepoxy in Table 3 of Chap. 3, and assume
each ply has a thickness of 0.125 mm.
Solution. A [(02/90)2]s graphiteepoxy laminate was also considered in
Sample Problem 1, and numerical values for the [ABD] matrix are listed
there. As before, the 12-ply laminate has a total thickness t = 1.5 mm and
aspect ratio R = a/b = 2.0.
Part (a). It is noted that n = 1, because Nyy z 0. Equation (39) becomes in
this case:
" 2 #
p2 0:6
Nxx 40:1m 65:34m 172:8 Nyy
4 2
0:09m2 p
A plot of the critical buckling load for 0 V Nyy V 400 kN/m is presented in
c
Fig. 9(a). As expected, Nxx is increased as Nyy is increased. A change in
buckling mode also occurs as Nyy is increased. The plate buckles in mode
[2,1] over the range 0 V Nyy < 35 kN/m, in mode [3,1] over the range 35 kN/
m V Nyy < 150 kN/m, and in mode [4,1] over the range 150 kN/m V Nyy
< 400 kN/m. These buckling modes are illustrated in Fig. 9(b,c,d),
respectively.
p2 4 0:09
Nyy 40:1 65:34n 2
172:8n Nxx
0:36n2 p2
A plot of the critical buckling load for 0 V Nxx V 400 kN/m is presented in
c
Fig. 10(a). As expected, Nyy is increased as Nxx is increased. A change in
buckling mode also occurs as Nxx is increased. The plate buckles in mode [1,1]
over the range 0 V Nxx < 72 kN/m, and in mode [1,2] over the range 72 kN/m
V Nxx < 400 kN/m. These buckling modes are illustrated in Fig. 10(b,c),
respectively.
c
Note that the magnitudes of Nyy calculated in part (b) are far lower than
c
those calculated for Nxx in part (a). This pronounced dierence is largely
because of the stacking sequence involved. For the [(02/90)2]s laminate under
Sample Problem 6
A structure is being designed that will involve a [(02/90)2]s graphiteepoxy
laminate with a width (in the y direction) of 150 mm. The length of the panel
(in the x direction) has not yet been established, and could be anywhere from
150 to 750 mm. During service, the panel will be subjected to a compressive
load Nxx (only), and simple supports of type S4 along all four edges. Buckling
is therefore of concern. Predict the buckling load and mode for the panel, for
any panel length ranging from 150 to 750 mm.
Figure 11 Predicted buckling loads and modes as a function of aspect ratio for
the [(02/90)2]s graphiteepoxy panel considered in Sample Problem 6.
For x 0 : For x a :
w0; y 0 wa; y 0
* 0; y 0
Mxx * a; y 0
Mxx
x x
uo 0; y uo y0 uo a; y uo y axx DT c a
x x
vo 0; y vo y ayy DT c y vo 0; y vo y ayy DT c y
For y 0 : For y b :
wx; 0 0 wx; b 0
* x; 0 0
Myy * x; b 0
Myy
y y
uo x; 0 uo x axx DT c x uo x; b uo x axx DT c a
y y
vo x; 0 vo x 0 vo x; b vo y ayy DT c b
mp 4 mp 2 np 2 np 4
D11 2D12 2D66 D22
a a b b
mp 2 np 2
Nxx Nyy
a b
Sample Problem 7
Two [02/90)2]s graphiteepoxy laminates are cured at 175jC and then cooled
to room temperature (20jC). After cooling, one laminate is trimmed to in-
plane dimensions of 300150 mm, whereas the second is trimmed to in-plane
dimensions of 3000150 mm. Both laminates are then mounted in assemblies
that provide type S1 simple supports along all four edges, and subjected to a
uniform increase in temperature. Determine the temperature at which each
plate will buckle. Use the properties listed for graphiteepoxy in Table 3 of
Chap. 3, and assume each ply has a thickness of 0.125 mm.
Solution. A [(02/90)2]s graphiteepoxy laminate was also considered in
Sample Problem 1, and numerical values for the [ABD] matrix and eective
thermal expansion coecients are listed there. The aspect ratios involved in
this problem are:
R 300 mm=150 mm 2
and
R 3000 mm=150 mm 20:
The temperature at which thermal buckling is predicted to occur is obtained
through application of Eq. (44b). It is found that both laminates are predicted
to buckle in mode [1,1]. For the laminate with aspect R = 2, thermal buckling
is predicted to occur when temperature is raised to 51jC, whereas for the
laminate with aspect ratio R = 20, thermal buckling is predicted at a
temperature of 40jC.
Because 1 Pa = 1 N/m2, all other lengths must be input in meters. For ex-
ample, ply thickness must be input in meters (not millimeters). A typical value
would be tk = 0.000125 m (corresponding to a ply thickness of 0.125 mm). In-
plane plate dimensions must also be input in meters.
If the English system of units were used, then the following numerical
values would be input for the same graphiteepoxy material system:
E11 25:0106 psi E22 1:5106 psi v12 0:30 G12 1:9106 psi
REFERENCES
1. Lekhnitskii, S.G. Anisotropic Plates, translated by S. W. Tsai and T. Cheron,
Taylor and Francis Books Ltd, London, UK, ISBN 0-677-20670-4, 1968.
2. Savin, G.N. Stress Concentration Around Holes; New York: Pergamon Press,
1961.
3. Timoshenko, S.; Woinowsky-Krieger, S. Theory of Plates and Shells; New York,
NY: McGraw-Hill Book Co (ISBN 0-07-0647798), 1987.
4. Whitney, J.M. Structural Analysis of Laminated Anisotropic Plates; Lancaster,
PA: Technomic Pub Co (ISBN 87762-518-2).
5. Buckling and Postbuckling of Composite Plates. Turvey, G.J.; Marshall, I.H.,
Eds; Chapman and Hall: New York, NY, 1995.
1 PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION
The equations of equilibrium for a thin symmetric composite laminate were
derived in Sec. 2 of Chap. 9 based on a summation of forces and moments.
Boundary conditions consistent with thin-plate theory were then discussed in
Sec. 3 of Chap. 9. It turns out that exact solutions to these equations and
boundary conditions can only be obtained if A16 = A26 = D16 = D26 =
N Txy = N M
xy = 0; that is, exact solutions are only available for specially
orthotropic laminates. A few exact solutions for simply supported and
symmetric specially orthotropic laminates were presented in Chap. 10.
Unfortunately, many stacking sequences widely used in practice are not
specially orthotropic. For example, symmetric quasi-isotropic laminates are
not specially orthotropic because D16,D26 p 0 for this stacking sequence.
571
where amn, bmn, and cmn are unknown constants; and Umn, Vmn, and Wmn are
known functions that vary over x and y. In general, the number of terms used
to describe each displacement eld may dier (e.g., M1 does not necessarily
equal M2 or M3). Also, the number of terms used to describe the variation in x
and y may dier (e.g., M1 does not necessarily equal N1).
Having assumed the functional form for the displacement elds as
represented by Eqs. (1a)(1c), then the potential energy P of an elastic plate
subjected to specied external loading can be calculated. Note that the values
of constants amn, bmn, and cmn in Eqs. (1a)(1c) eectively dene the
magnitudes of the displacement elds. Hence, as constants amn, bmn and/or
cmn are increased or decreased (and assuming that elastic properties and
external forces remain constant), the potential energy of the body is increased
or decreased accordingly. The principle of minimum potential energy states
that the displacement eld actually adopted by a solid body is one in which the
potential energy is a minimum. This condition is therefore dened by the
following criteria:
BP m 1; 2; . . . ; M1
0 2a
Bamn n 1; 2; . . . ; N1
BP m 1; 2; . . . ; M2
0 2b
Bbmn n 1; 2; . . . ; N2
BP m 1; 2; . . . ; M3
0 2c
Bcmn n 1; 2; . . . ; N3
Equations (2a)(2c) lead to (M1 N1)+(M2 N2)+(M3 N3) equations
that must be satised simultaneously. Hence, by solving these equations for
constants amn, bmn, and cmn, the magnitudes of the displacement elds given by
Eqs. (1a)(1c) that correspond to the minimum potential energy are known
and the problem is solved. The validity of the solution obtained hinges on
whether Eqs. (1a)(1c) adequately represent the displacement elds actually
induced in the structure.
It is seen therefore that solutions obtained using the Ritz method are
based on the functions Umn, Vmn, and Wmn that appear in Eqs. (1a)(1c).
These functions are more-or-less arbitrarily selected, but must posses two
important characteristics: (a) they must be continuous and dierentiable to at
least the second order, and (b) they must satisfy the geometric boundary
conditions. This latter characteristic is the source of the approximate nature
of the Ritz analysis. That is, the mathematical forms of functions Umn(x,y),
Vmn(x,y), and Wmn(x,y) are selected to satisfy the prevailing geometric
boundary conditions, but the static boundary conditions are not considered
These functional forms for Xm and Yn are appropriate for simply supported
plates because they satisfy the geometric boundary conditions, regardless of
the magnitudes of cmn. That is, Eq. (4) gives w(x,y) = 0 for x = 0,a and y = 0,
b for all m,n. They do not necessarily satisfy the static boundary conditions for
a simply supported plate, however. Recall from Sec. 3 of Chap. 9 that the
bending moment must vanish along a simply supported edge, resulting in the
following static boundary condition along the two edges x = 0, a (a
comparable condition must be satised along edges y=0,b):
B2 w B2 w B2 w
D11 D12 2 2D16 M*xx 0
Bx 2 By BxBy
Upon substituting the assumed displacement eld [Eq. (4)] into this static
boundary condition, the rst two terms lead to:
" #
B2 w XM3 X N3 mp 2 mpx npy
D11 2 D11 cmn sin sin 0;
Bx m 1n 1
a a b
for x 0; a
for x 0; a
However, the third term leads to:
" #
B2 w X
M3 XN3
mp np mpx npy
2D16 2D16 cmn cos cos
BxBy m 1n 1
a b a b
If only a single term is used to describe the displacement eld (i.e., if M3=
N3=1), then the static boundary condition is clearly not satised even ap-
proximately because:
py
c11 cos p 0; for all 0 V y V b
b
However, if the number of terms used is increased (i.e., as M3 and/or N3 are
increased), then Eq. (5) may be satised more and more exactly, through
proper selection of the values of constants cmn. For example, if four terms are
used (i.e., if M3=N3=2), then the static boundary condition along edges
x=0,a is satised if:
py py
2py 2py
c11 cos 2c12 cos 2c21 cos 4c22 cos 0;
b b b b
for all 0 V y V b
It is now possible to satisfy the static boundary condition along edges x = 0,
a exactly by setting c21 = c11/2 and c22 = c12/2. Of course, selecting
constants that satisfy these requirements may not lead to the displacement
eld that represents the state of minimum potential energy because constants
c11, c12, c21, and c22 must also satisfy the static boundary conditions along the
edges y = 0, b. Still, it is apparent that by increasing the number of terms
used to describe the displacement eld, it is possible to satisfy the static
boundary conditions along all four edges more and more exactly.
Although not discussed in this text, solutions are also available based on
alternate (nonsinusoidal) function forms for Xm and Yn. Alternate forms
include polynomials in x and y:
Xm x x2 ax2 xm1
Yn y y2 ay2 yn1
forms involving other trigonometric functions:
2mpx
Xm x 1 cos
a
2npy
Yn y 1 cos
b
These alternate forms may be used to model other boundary conditions such
as a clamped edge. The reader interested application of these alternate forms
is referred to Refs. [1,2,4].
N*yy x; 0 Nyy
* x; b Nyy
N*xy 0; y Nxy
* a; y Nyx
* x; 0 Nyx
* x; b Nxy
* As mentioned in Sec. 6.2 of Chap. 6, in practice, the stress- and strain-free temperature is often
2050jC below the nal cure temperature. This complication has been ignored throughout this
text, and it is assumed that the laminate is stress- and strain-free at the cure temperature.
f1 y k1
where f1( y) is an unknown function of y (only); and k1 is an unknown constant
of integration. Similarly, integrating Eq. (7b) with respect to y, we nd:
h i
vo x; y a12 Nxx NTxx a22 Nyy NTyy a26 Nxy NTxy y
f2 x k2
where f2(x) is an unknown function of x (only); and k2 is a second unknown
constant. Without a loss in generality, we assume that midplane displacements
Because all terms on the right side of the equality are known constants, it
follows that f1 and f2 must be at most linear function of y and x, respectively:
f1 y k3 y
f2 x k4 x
Hence, we can write:
Because all quantities that appear in this relation are constants, k3 and k4 can
take on any value as long as they sum to the expression on the right side of the
equality. To determine particular values that satisfy this expression, we now
require that the innitesimal rotation vector in the xy plane xxy (which
represents rigid body motion of the plate) is zero. The innitesimal rotation
vector is given by (3):
1 Buo Bvo
xxy
2 By Bx
Requiring that xxy=0 leads to:
1h i
k3 k4 a16 Nxx NTxx a26 Nyy NTyy a66 Nxy NTxy
2
Combining the preceding results, we conclude that the in-plane midplane
displacements induced in a symmetric composite panel by the combination of
uniform in-plane stress resultants and a change in temperature are given by:
h i
uo x; y a11 Nxx NTxx a12 Nyy NTyy a16 Nxy NTxy x
1h i
a16 Nxx NTxx a26 Nyy NTyy a66 Nxy NTxy y
2
1h i
vo x; y a16 Nxx NTxx a26 Nyy NTyy a66 Nxy NTxy x
2
h i
a12 Nxx NTxx a22 Nyy NTyy a26 Nxy NTxy y
1h i
a16 Nxx a26 Nyy a66 Nxy DT axy y
2
7
1h i
vo x; y a16 Nxx a26 Nyy a66 Nxy DT axy x
2
h i
a12 Nxx a22 Nyy a26 Nxy DT ayy y
Note that Eqs. (7a)(7c) are valid only if both stress resultants and temper-
ature changes are uniform.
In the following sections, we will use these in-plane displacement elds
to obtain solutions based on the Ritz method for simply supported composite
plates. Recall from Sec. 3 of Chap. 9 that four distinct combinations of
geometric and static boundary conditions, numbered S1 through S4, can be
dened as a simple support. The distinction between the dierent types of
simple supports has to do with the boundary condition assumed for the in-
plane displacement elds. For example, to dene a simple support of type S1,
one species known values of in-plane displacements, whereas to dene a
simple support of type S4, one species known values of in-plane stress
resultants. For the problems considered here, we are able to calculate the
midplane displacement eld induced by a specied combination of edge loads
(or vice versa). This is possible because we have assumed all stress resultants
applied at the edge of the plate are constant and uniform. Of course, if the
stress resultants were not uniform but rather varied along the plate edges, then
it would be more dicult (and, in most cases, impossible) to determine
associated in-plane displacement elds.
Because we have limited discussion to cases in which stress resultants
applied to the edges are constant and uniform, the midplane displacement
Secondly, we will consider the strain energy within the plate in the deformed
condition. This energy term is denoted U. A general expression giving the
strain energy within a linear elastic solid body subjected to an arbitrary state
of stress is:
ZZZ
1
U rxx exx ryy eyy rzz ezz syz cyz sxz cxz sxy cxy dxdydz
2
Next, the stresses in ply k of the laminate are given by Eqs. (30) of Chap. 5,
which become (for DM = 0):
8 9 2 3 8 9
< rxx = Q11 Q12 Q16 < exx DTaxx =
ryy 4 Q12 Q22 Q26 5 eyy DTayy
: ; : ;
rxy k Q16 Q26 Q66 k cxy DTaxy k
Substituting these expressions for ply stresses into Eq. (9) and rearranging,
we nd:
ZZ Z h
1 k k k k k k
U Q11 e2xx 2Q12 exx eyy 2Q16 exx cxy 2Q26 eyy cxy Q22 e2yy Q66 c2xy
2
k k k k k
DT ak Q
xx 11 a Q
yy 12 a xy 16 exx
Q
10
k k k k k
DT ak Q
xx 12 a Q
yy 22 a xy 26 eyy
Q
i
k k k k k
DT ak Q
xx 16 a Q
yy 26 a xy 66 cxy dxdydz
Q
We now invoke the Kirchho hypothesis, which allows us to relate ply strains
at any through-thickness position z to midplane strains and curvatures, in
accordance with Eqs. (12)of Chap. 6, repeated here for convenience:
Next, integrate Eq. (11) over the thickness of the laminate, i.e., over the range
t/2 V z V t/2. During this process, a number of integrals will be encoun-
tered that were previously evaluated in Chap. 6. A few specic examples are:
Z t=2
Q11 dz; which after integration becomes A11
t=2
Z t=2
Q11 zdz; which after integration becomes B11
t=2
Z t=2
Q11 z2 dz; which after integration becomes D11
t=2
Z t=2
2B22 e0yy jyy 2B66 c0xy jxy D11 j2xx 2D12 jxx jyy
12
2 D16 jxx D26 jyy jxy D22 j2yy D66 j2xy NTxx e0xx
NTyy e0yy NTxy c0xy MTxx jxx MTyy jyy MTxy jxy dxdy
T
Because we have limited discussion to symmetric laminates, Bij = Mxx =
T T
Myy = Mxy = 0 in all cases considered. Equations (12) therefore simplies
to:
ZZ 2
1 2
U A11 e0xx 2A12 e0xx e0yy A22 e0yy 2 A16 e0xx A26 e0yy c0xy
2
A66 c2xy D11 j2xx 2D12 jxx jyy 2 D16 jxx D26 jyy jxy 13
D22 j2yy D66 j2xy NTxx e0xx NTyy e0yy NTxy c0xy dxdy
We have now developed expressions for the two energy terms necessary for
our purposes: the work W done by a transverse load applied to a laminate
[Eq. (8)] and the strain energy U within a deformed laminate [Eq. (13)].
We wish to form an appropriate combination of these terms so as to
represent the total potential energy of a symmetric composite laminate. An
itemized conceptual description of how U and W are combined is
presented below. Mathematical implementation of these concepts for the
particular class of problems considered in this text is then discussed in
separate subsections. The reader is urged to carefully consider the follow
conceptual description before considering the mathematical formulation
that follows.
Step 1. We assume that in-plane stress resultants Nij are applied to the
laminate rst, before the application of any other load(s) that cause bending.
Our rst step is therefore to calculate the strain energy within a laminate
subjected to Nij only even if other loads are involved in the problem under
consideration. We will label this component of strain energy UI. Calculation
of UI is straightforward because we have limited our discussion to symmetric
laminates. That is, for a symmetric laminate, stress resultants Nij are solely
responsible for the development of midplane strains and do not cause
curvatures to develop. If we had included nonsymmetric laminates in our
analysis, then Bij p 0. If this were the case, then Nij would also contribute
to curvatures; furthermore, both Mij and q(x,y) would contribute to
Equation (14) gives the strain energy component UI for any in-plane
displacement elds uo(x,y) and vo(x,y). We will now integrate this expression
using the displacement elds induced by uniform stress resultants and a
uniform change in temperature, as given by Eqs. (7). To avoid a very lengthy
expression, we make the following change in notation:
h i
C1 a11 Nxx a12 Nyy a16 Nxy DT axx
h i
C2 a12 Nxx a22 Nyy a26 Nxy DT ayy 15
1h i
C3 a16 Nxx a26 Nyy a66 Nxy DT axy
2
Substituting Eqs. (73b) of Chap. 6, which give the thermal stress resultants
in terms of elements of the [A] matrix, and Eq. (5), we nd that UI can be
written:
UI C1 Nxx C2 Nyy 2C3 Nxy ab 16
B2 w B2 w B2 w
jxx jyy jxy 2
Bx2 By2 BxBy
We will now integrate Eq. (17) for the class of problems considered in this
text. In all problems, we consider simply supported plates and assume out-
of-plane displacements are given by Eq. (6), repeated here for convenience:
XM XN
mpx npy
wx; y cmn sin sin
m 1n 1
a b
Because Eq. (6) will be used in all problems considered, we will integrate
Eq. (17) based on this displacement eld. The following derivatives appear
in Eq. (17):
X X
B2 w M M
mp 2 mpx npy
cmn sin sin
Bx2 m 1 n 1
a a b
XM XN 2
B2 w np mpx npy
c mn sin sin
By2 m 1 n 1
b a b
XM XN
B2 w mp np mpx npy
cmn cos cos
BxBy m 1 n 1 a b a b
Consider the rst term under the integral sign in Eq. (17). Upon substituting
the expression for (B2w/Bx2) listed above, this term becomes:
Z Z 2 2
1 b a B w
D11 dxdy
2 0 0 Bx2
Z Z " 2 #
1 b a XM XN
mp mpx npy
D11 cmn sin sin
2 0 0 m 1 n 1
a a b
" 2 #
XM XN
ip ipx jpy
cij sin sin dxdy
i 1 j 1
a a b
The following terms also appear in Eq. (17) and are evaluated in a similar
manner:
Z Z XM XN
1 b a
B2 w B2 w p4
2D12 dxdy D12 m2 n2 c2mn
2 0 0 Bx2 By2 4ab m 1 n 1
Z Z 2 XM XN
1 b a
B2 w p4 a
D22 dxdy D 22 n4 c2mn
2 0 0 By2 8b3 m 1 n 1
Z Z 2 XM XN
1 b a
B2 w p4
4D66 dxdy D66 m2 n2 c2mn
2 0 0 BxBy 2ab m 1 n 1
The remaining terms in Eq. (17) involve D16 and D26. Upon substituting the
appropriate derivatives, the rst of these becomes:
Z Z 2 2
1 b a B w B w
4D16 dxdy
2 0 0 Bx 2 BxBy
where:
MI 1m 1i 1
NJ 1n 1 j 1
Notice that:
8
< 0; if m i is even
MI
:
2; if m i is odd
8
< 0; if n j is even
NJ
:
2; if n j is odd
We have now integrated all terms that appear in Eq. (17). Combining these
results and rearranging, the integrated form of Eq. (17) can be written:
XM XN 4
The quantity within the square bracket and raised to the 1/2 power can be
expanded in terms of a binomial power series expansion. A general statement
of this series expansion is given by (5):
1 1 1 2 1 1 3 3
1 n1=2 1 n n n ...
2 2 4 2 4 6
We adopt this general formula for our use by retaining only the rst two terms
and letting n = (Bw/Bx)2. Hence:
" 2 #1=2 2
Bw 1 Bw
1 c1
Bx 2 Bx
With this approximation, the new length of the element is given by:
" #
1 Bw 2
dx V dx 1
2 Bx
We can now calculate the strain energy associated with the change in in-plane
strains caused by bending. We assume in-plane stress resultants Nij remain
constant as bending develops. Consider, for example, the force represented
by stress resultant Nxx acting over an innitesimal element with length and
width dx and dy. The x-directed force is (Nxxdy), and the distance through
which this force moves as bending develops equals e0;bxx dx. The incremental
strain energy associated with this force and caused by bending is therefore
dUIII=(Nxxdy)(e0;bxx dx). Analogous expressions hold for stress resultants Nyy
and Nxy. Hence, strain energy UIII is given by:
ZZ h
UIII xx Nyy eyy Nxy cxy dxdy
Nxx e0;b 0;b 0;b
20
Equation (20) represents a general expression for UIII. Recall that during
application of the Ritz method, we are able to specify geometric boundary
conditions directly, but are not able to specify static boundary conditions, at
least directly. Therefore, in present form, Eq. (20) is inconvenient for use with
the Ritz method. That is, we wish to express stress resultants Nxx, Nyy, and
Nxy in terms of displacement elds, which will ultimately allow us to specify
geometric boundary conditions that represent known values of Nxx, Nyy, and
Nxy. From Eq. (44) of Chap. 6, we can write (for Bij = DM = 0)
Similarly,
Buo Bvo Buo Bvo
Nyy A12 A22 A26 NTyy
Bx By By Bx
Buo Bvo Buo Bvo
Nxy A16 A26 A66 NTxy
Bx By By Bx
Substituting these expressions as well as Eqs. (19a,b,c) into Eq. (20), we
obtain:
Z Z
1 Buo Bvo Buo Bvo
UIII A11 A12 A16 NTxx
2 Bx By By Bx
Bw Bw
dxdy 21
Bx By
We will now integrate Eq. (21) for the class of problems considered in this
text. We assume the plate is simply supported and that out-of-plane displace-
ments are given by Eq. (6). We also assume the laminate is symmetric and
subjected to uniform stress resultants Nij and/or a temperature change DT.
For these conditions, the in-plane displacement elds are given by Eqs. (7).
Substituting Eqs. (6) and (7) into Eq. (21) [and utilizing the simplifying
change in notation introduced as Eqs. (15)], we have:
Z Z "
1 b a
UIII A11 C1 A12 C2 2A16 C3 NTxx
2 0 0
X
M X
N !2
mp mpx npy
cmn cos sin
m 1n 1
a a b
n o
A12 C1 A22 C2 2A26 C3 NTyy
X
M X
N !2
np mpx npy
cmn sin cos
m 1n 1
b a b
n o
2 A16 C1 A26 C2 2A66 C3 NTxy
( )
X
M XN
mp mpx npy
cmn cos sin
m 1n 1
a a b
M X
X N !#
jp ipx jpy
cij sin cos dxdy
i 1j 1
b a b
X N 2
X
M
p m2 b
UIII c2mn A11 C1 A12 C2 2A16 C3 NTxx
m 1n 1
8 a
p 2 m2 b n2 a
UIII cmn Nxx Nyy 2m2 ncmn Nxy
m 1n 1
8 a b
N
22
XM X
j
cij MI NJ
i 1j 1
m2 i 2 n2 j 2
P UI UII UIII W
In general, P is a function of the elastic properties of the plate, plate di-
mensions, and midplane displacement elds uo(x,y), vo(x,y), and w(x,y).
For the problems considered herein, in-plane displacement elds uo(x,y) and
vo(x,y) are known, while the out-of-plane displacement eld w(x,y) is un-
known. The out-of-plane displacement eld is assumed to be of the form:
X
M X
N
mpx npy
wx; y cmn sin sin
m 1n 1
a b
The total potential energy can now be obtained by combining Eqs. (16), (18),
(22), and (24):
P C1 Nxx C2 Nyy 2C3 Nxy ab
f g
X
M XN 4
f g
N 2
25
X
M X p m2 b n2 a
c2mn Nxx Nyy
m 1n 1
8 a b
X X
M N
j
2m2 ncmn Nxy cij MI NJ
i 1j 1
m2 i 2 n2 j 2
(
)
X
M N
X
abqo cmn m n
1 1 1 1
m 1n 1
p2 mn
The four individual energy components UI, UII, UIII and W are shown within
the large braces in Eq. (25). This expression is unwieldy so a change in
p4 b 2p4 p4 a
F1 D11 F2 D12 2D66 F3 D22
8a3 8ab 8b3
p2 b p2 a 2p2
F4 Nxx F5 Nyy F6 2 D16
8a 8b a
2p2 abqo
F7 2 D26 F8 2Nxy F9
b p2
Note that these terms are all known constants for a given laminate and
loading condition. On the basis of these denitions, Eq. (25) can be rear-
f g
ranged as follows:
cmn F1 m F2 m n F3 n F4 m F5 n
2 4 2 2 4 2 2
F9
cmn 1m 1 1n 1
X
M X
N mn
P UI (
XM X N 26
m 1n 1 cij
cmn
i 1j 1
m i n2 j 2
2 2
)
F6 m nij F7 mn ij F8 m nj MINJ
3 3 2
To further explore the Ritz method, we must now expand the expression for
P, based on some specied values of M and N. In general, the accuracy of the
Ritz approach is improved as M and N are increased. Although not required,
it is usual practice to let M=N, which means that the number of terms with x-
and y- dependency in Eq. (6) is identical. Often, 100 terms or more
(M=N=10, or more) are necessary to obtain a reasonable convergence of
the Ritz solution. Writing down the expanded form of P based on values of M
and N as high as 10 is obviously untenable. For purposes of illustration, we
will expand P using M=N=2, which will allow us to explore the essential
elements of the Ritz analysis.
Hence, expanding our Eq. (26) based on M=N=2, we nd:
P UI c211 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
BP
0
Bcmn
BP 40
2F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 c11 2F6 2F7 F8 c22 4F9 0
Bc11 9
Figure 2 Summary of the solution obtained for a simply supported laminate subjected to a uniform transverse
pressure using a Ritz analysis and M = N = 2. (a) The set of simultaneous equations obtained by enforcing
BP/Bcmn= 0, for M = N = 2. (b) Solving the set of simultaneous equations shown in part (a).
diagonal, while the shear stress resultant appears only in o-diagonal posi-
tions. In summary, Fig. 2 represents the solution for a simply supported
symmetric composite panel subjected to a uniform transverse pressure qo,
a uniform in-plane stress resultants Nxx, Nyy, and Nxy, and a uniform change
in temperature, DT, based on M = N = 2. Depending on details of a specic
problem, the number of terms required to insure convergence may be subs-
tantially higher than only four terms; it is not uncommon to require 100 terms
or more (M = N = 10 or more). Obviously, the solution process presented
above is rarely (if ever) performed by hand calculation. Rather, a computer-
based routine is typically used to expand Eq. (26) [or, equivalently, Eq. (25)]
for specied values of M and N, to perform the required partial dieren-
tiation, to determine the inverse of the resulting [M N] matrix, and to
complete the nal matrix multiplication that gives the coecients cmn. Typical
solutions obtained on the basis of the Ritz approach are illustrated in the
following three sample problems.
Sample Problem 1
A [(F45/0)2]s graphite-epoxy laminate is cured at 175jC and then cooled to
room temperature (20jC). After cooling, the at laminate is trimmed to in-
plane dimensions of 300150 mm and is mounted in an assembly that
provides type S4 simple supports along all four edges. The x axis is dened
parallel to the 300-mm edge (i.e., a = 0.3 m, b = 0.15 m). The laminate is then
subjected to a uniform transverse load q(x,y) = 30 kPa. No in-plane loads are
applied (i.e., Nxx = Nyy = Nxy = 0). Determine the maximum out-of-plane
displacement based on a Ritz analysis and plot the out-of-plane displacement
eld. Use the properties listed for graphite-epoxy in Table 3 of Chap. 3 and
assume each ply has a thickness of 0.125 mm.
Solution. Based on the properties listed in Table 3 of Chap. 3 for graphite-
epoxy, the [ABD] matrix for a [(F45/0)2]s laminate is:
2 3
145:2 106 35:3 106 0 0 0 0
6 35:3 106 64:8 106 0 0 0 0 7
6 7
6 0 0 50:2 10 6
0 0 0 7
6
ABD 6 7
6 0 0 0 22:3 7:97 2:20 7 7
4 0 0 0 7:97 14:3 2:20 5
0 0 0 2:20 2:20 10:8
where the units of Aij are Pa m and the units of Dij are Pa m3. Notice that
neither D16 nor D26 equals zero; hence, the laminate is generally ortho-
tropic. The 12-ply laminate has a total thickness t = 1.5 mm and the aspect
ratio R = a/b = 2.0.
The computer program SYMM (described in Sec. 6) can be used to
perform the required Ritz analysis. Several analyses were performed using
Sample Problem 2
The [(F45/0)2]s graphite-epoxy laminate described in Sample Problem 1 is
again subjected to type S4 simple supports along all four edges and a uniform
transverse load q(x,y) = 30 kPa. However, the plate is now also subjected to
uniform in-plane stress resultants Nxx = Nyy. Use a Ritz analysis to deter-
mine the maximum out-of-plane displacement for 0 < N xx = N yy<
100 kN/m.
Solution. As was the case for Sample Problem 1, solutions for this prob-
lem can be obtained using program SYMM (described in Sec. 6). Multiple
solutions were obtained using the specied range in Nxx and Nyy, and 100
terms were used in the displacement eld in all cases.
Results are summarized in Fig. 5. The maximum displacement occurs
at the center of the plate (i.e., at x = 150 mm, y = 75 mm). As would be
expected, the in-plane tensile stress resultants tend to reduce out-of-plane
displacement. For Nxx = Nyy = 0, a maximum out-of-plane displacement of
8.03 mm is predicted. In contrast, if tensile stress resultants Nxx = Nyy = 100
kN/m are applied, the maximum out-of-plane displacement is reduced to
0.71 mm.
Sample Problem 3
A [25j]12 graphite-epoxy laminate is trimmed to in-plane dimensions of
300150 mm and is mounted in an assembly that provides type S4 simple
supports along all four edges. The laminate is then subjected to a uniform
transverse load q(x,y) = 30 kPa. No in-plane loads are applied (i.e., Nxx=
Nyy = Nxy = 0). Determine the maximum out-of-plane displacement based
on a Ritz analysis and plot the out-of-plane displacement eld. Use the
properties listed for graphite-epoxy in Table 3 of Chap. 3, and assume each
ply has a thickness of 0.125 mm.
Solution. Note that the plate has an aspect ratio R = 150/300 = 2.0, as was
the case for the laminates considered in Sample Problems 1 and 2. A rather
unusual ber angle of 25j has been selected for consideration in this prob-
lem because it results in high relative values of D16 and D26, resulting in an
interesting distortion of the predicted out-of-plane displacement eld. Spe-
cically, for this laminate:
f g
X
M XN 4
m2 n2
D16 D26 MI NJ
a2 b2
f g
X
M XN 2
p 2 m2 b n2 a
cmn Nxx Nxx
m 1n 1
8 a b
N
XM X
j
2m ncmn Nxy
2
cij MI NJ
i 1j 1
m2 i 2 n2 j 2
qo abc11
4
f g
N 4
M X
X
2
m n2
2 D16 2 D26 MI NJ
a b
p 2 m2 b n2 a
cmn Nxx Nyy
m 1n 1
8 a b
X N
M X
j 29
2m2 ncmn Nxy cij MI NJ
i 1j 1
m2 i 2 n2 j 2
( )
N
4abP X M X
cmn mpn npg mpai npbi
sin sin sin sin
p2 ai bi m 1 n 1 mn a b 2a 2b
As before, the next step is to apply the principle of minimum potential energy:
BP m 1; 2; . . . ; M
0
Bcmn n 1; 2; . . . ; N
XM X N
mpn npg
WP cmn sin sin
m 1n 1
a b
f g
X N 4
M X
X N
M X
ij
2p2 mncmn cij
i 1j 1
m2 i 2 n 2 j 2
2
m n2
2 D16 2 D26 MI NJ
a b
p 2 m2 b n2 a
cmn Nxx Nyy
m 1n 1
8 a b
X N
M X
j
2m2 ncmn Nxy cij MI NJ
i 1j 1
m2 i 2 n2 j 2
(
)
N
M X
X
mpn npg
P cmn sin sin 30
m 1n 1
a b
(mkx/a) sin (mky/b). As in all analyses based on the Ritz method, several
predictions of buckling load should be obtained using increased values of M
and N to insure convergence of the predicted buckling load and mode.
Equation (32) represents the generalized eigenvalue problem for the
case Nxx p 0, Nyy = Nxy = 0, and M = N = 2. As a second example, consider
buckling caused by a pure shear load. That is, assume Nxy p 0, Nxx=Nyy=0.
We now have F4 = F5 = F9 = 0. Following a process identical to that
described above, we arrive at the following generalized eigenvalue problem:
2 3
40
6 2F1 F 2 F 3 0 0 2F 6 2F 7 7
6 9 7
6 40 7
6 0 2F1 4F2 16F3 2F6 2F7 0 7
6 7
6 9 7
6 40 7
6 2F6 2F7 F8 216F1 4F2 F3 7
6 0 0 7
6 9 7
4 40 5
2F6 2F7 0 0 84F1 4F2 4F3
9
8 9 8 98 c 9
>
> c11 >> > 80 >> 11 >
>
> >
> >
> 0 0 0 >>
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 9 >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >
> >
> 80 >> >
0 > => >
c c
< 12
= < 0 0 < 12
=
>
Nxy 9 33
c > > >> c21 >
> > > 80
> 21 >
> > >
> 0 0 0 > >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >
> >
> 9 >
>>
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>>
> >
>
>
: >
; : 80 0 0 0 ;: > >
;
c22 9 c22
Because 1 Pa=1 N/m2, all lengths must be input in meters. For example, ply
thicknesses must be input in meters (not millimeters). A typical value would
be tk=0.000125 m (corresponding to a ply thickness of 0.125 mm). Similarly,
if an analysis of a plate with a length and width of 500300 cm were being
performed, then the length and width of the plate must be input as 5.00 and
3.00 m, respectively.
If the English system of units were used, then the following numerical
values would be input for the same graphite-epoxy material system:
E11 25:0 106 psi E22 1:5 106 psi v12 0:30
REFERENCES
1. Whitney, J.M. Structural Analysis of Laminated Anisotropic Plates. Technomic
Pub Co.: Lancaster, PA, ISBN 87762-518-2.
The process of nding the principal stresses and principal strains is dis-
cussed in Section 7 and 12 of Sec. 2, respectively. The approach described
in these sections ultimately leads to the requirement of calculating the
cube root of a complex number. The nth-root of a complex number can
be determined using DeMoivres theorem, which is explained in many
advanced calculus books. A complete review of this topic is beyond the
scope of the present discussion. The explanation given below is a
specialization of DeMoivres theorem to nd the cube root of a complex
number.
Any complex number z can be written as:
z h iv
where:
p
iu i
h the real part of z
v the imaginary part of z
The modulus (r) and argument (u) of a complex number are dened as:
p
r h2 v 2 A:1
617
Figure 1 The number z plotted in the complex plane, showing the real part (h),
imaginary part (v), the modulus (r), and the argument (u).
621
shown in Figs. 13 are equipped with adhesively bonded end tabs. As the
use of bonded end-tabs increases specimen preparation time and cost, they
are only used when necessary. In general, end tabs are used when
the fracture stress or strain is to be measured, or if
it is found that the specimen fails within the grip region if bonded
end tabs are not used
End tabs used with high-strength specimens (such as the [0]n or [h]n specimens
shown in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively) must be beveled at a shallow angle to
avoid specimen failure at the end of the tab. The shallow bevel provides for a
smooth transfer of load from the grip region to the gage region of the
specimen. The bevel angle is usually about 57j, although angles as high as
30j are used on occasion. Use of a shallow bevel angle becomes less important
when testing low-strength specimens, and in fact end tabs with a bevel angle
of 90j are often used when testing [90]n specimens (Figs. 3).
As a general rule all tensile test specimens are long and narrow. That is,
they have a high aspect ratio. Aspect ratio equals specimen length (where
specimen length is dened as the tab-to-tab distance) to specimen width.
Strains induced during a tensile test are measured using either bonded
resistance strain gages or extensometers. Properties E11 and v12 are measured
using a [0]n specimen while E22 is measured using a [90]n specimen. It is
possible to measure v21 as well, using a [90]n specimen. However, for most
advanced unidirectional composites the numerical value of v21 (the so-called
minor Poisson ratio) is very small and is at least an order of magnitude
smaller than the major Poisson ratio v12. For example, for graphite/epoxy
the major Poisson ratio v12c0.3 whereas the minor Poisson ratio v12c0.01.
The small value of v21 can lead to a relatively high measurement error.
1
Exx
cos h
4
1 2v12 sin4 h
cos2 hsin2 h
E11 G12 E11 E22
Thus if Exx is measured for a [h]n specimen (where h is known), and assuming
that E11, v12, and E22 have also been measured and are known, then the shear
modulus G12 can be calculated using Eq. (B.1). For example, if h = 45j (the
most common case) then Eq. (B.1) reduces to:
In contrast, the shear stress and strain induced in the 45j plies are given
by:
s12 A45j rxx =2
c12 A45j exx eyy
REFERENCES
1. Whitney, J.M.; Daniel, I.M.; Pipes, R.B. Experimental Mechanics of Fiber
Reinforced Composite Materials, 2nd Ed; Bethel, CT: SEM Monograph 4 So-
ciety for Experimental Mechanics (ISBN 0-912053-01-1).
2. Carlsson, L.A.; Pipes, R.B. Experimental Characterization of Advanced Com-
posite Materials, 2nd Ed; Lancaster, PA: Technomic Pub Co. (ISBN 1-56676-
433-5), 1997.
3. Manual on Experimental Methods of Mechanical Testing of Composites, 2nd Ed;
Jenkins, C.H., Ed; Bethel, CT: Society for Experimental Mechanics ISBN 0-
88173-284-2, 1998.
4. Rosen, B.W. A simple procedure for experimental determination of the longi-
tudinal shear modulus of unidirectional composites. J Compos Mater 1972, 6,
552.
Tables of typical beam deections and slopes can be found on the following
pages.
629
Source: Ref. 1.
Source: Ref. 1.