Analysis of the Mechanical and Mathematical Properties of the Tensors of Coupled Thermoelastic Isotropic Laminates by the Polar Method

Abstract

We consider in this paper the general properties of laminates designed to be isotropic in extension and in bending and with a coupling between the in- and out-of-plane responses. In particular, we analyze the mathematical properties of the tensors describing the elastic and thermal behavior and the mechanical consequences of these properties. The polar formalism for planar tensors is used in this study. By this approach, it is easy to put in light some interesting, qualitative, mechanical, and mathematical facts concerning coupled isotropic laminates and to appreciate the fundamental differences, from the mathematical and mechanical point of view, between hybrid laminates, i.e., composed by layers of different materials, and laminates made of identical plies.