Stability and failure of symmetrically laminated plates

Abstract

This paper describes a numerical and experimental study on the stability and failure behaviour of rectangular symmetric laminated composite plates. The plates are simply supported along the unloaded edges and clamped along the loaded ends, and they are subjected to uniaxial in-plane compression. The finite element method was employed for the theoretical study. The study examines the effect of the plate's stacking sequence and aspect ratio on the stability and failure response of rectangular symmetric laminated carbon fibre reinforced plastics composite plates. The study also includes the effect of the unloaded edge support conditions on the postbuckling response and failure of the plates. Extensive experimental investigation were also carried out to supplement the finite element study. A comprehensive comparison between theory and experimental data are presented and discussed in this contribution.