Importance of anisotropy on buckling of compression-loaded symmetriccomposite plates

Abstract

The differential equation governing buckling of symmetrically laminated composite plates loaded in compression is presented in nondimensiona l form. From this equation, nondimensional material coefficients are obtained, and a nondimensional parameter is presented that is used to assess when anisotropic bending stiffnesses can be neglected in a buckling analysis. Results obtained using finite element analyses are presented that show how boundary conditions, aspect ratio, fiber orientation, stacking sequence, and thickness affect the importance of the anisotropic bending stiffnesses.