Approximate Design Analysis of Failure Within Composite Laminated Plates

Abstract

This paper is an analytical study of the effects of interlamina stresses near the free edge of a laminated plate due to axial and moment loading variations. A three-dimensional extension of the Tsai-Hill failure criterion is introduced to predict delamination. Results achieved by computer simulation show good agreement with experimental observations made by other sources. The distance from the free edge is decidedly important as is the effect of curing temperature because of the consequences these parameters have on the magnitude of the stress field. The failure estimations provide an approximate bound and are worthy of due consideration by the design engineer in the stress analysis of test specimens.