Exact Solutions for Composite Laminates in Cylindrical Bending

Abstract

Limitations of classical laminated plate theory are investigated by comparing solutions of several specific boundary value problems in this theory to the corresponding theory of elasticity solutions. The general class of problems treated involves the geometric configuration of any number of isotropic or orthotropic layers bonded together and subjected to cylindrical bending. In general it is found that conventional plate theory leads to a very poor description of laminate response at low span-to-depth ratios, but converges to the exact solution as this ratio increases. The analysis presented is also valid in the study of sand wich plates under cylindrical bending.