Influence of Shear Coupling in Cylindrical. Bending of Anisotropic Laminates

Abstract

Investigation of the success of classical lamination theory in predicting the response of composite laminates under static bending is extended by consideration of the influence of shear coupling. Specifically, we treat the exact solution of the problem of a pinned- end laminate composed of N layers, each of which possesses only a single plane of elastic symmetry, under cylindrical bending. Several example problems, involving unidirectional and angle-ply composites, are solved and the detailed results compared to corresponding ap proximate solutions. Some observations are offered in regard to the general range of validity of classical laminated plate theory.