Macromechanics of a

Laminate

Textbook: Mechanics of Composite Materials

Author: Autar Kaw
 Figure 4.1

Fiber Direction

z
 CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
Understand the code for laminate stacking sequence
Develop relationships of mechanical and hygrothermal
loads applied to a laminate to strains and stresses in each
lamina
Find the elastic stiffnesses of laminate based on the
elastic moduli of individual laminas and the stacking
sequence
Find the coefficients of thermal and moisture expansion
of a laminate based on elastic moduli, coefficients of
thermal and moisture expansion of individual laminas,
and stacking sequence
 Laminate Behavior
elastic moduli
the stacking position
thickness
angles of orientation
coefficients of thermal expansion
coefficients of moisture expansion
 x
P P

z
(a)

M M

z
(b)

M M

x x

P P

z Figure 4.2
(c)
 Figure 4.3

x
x
z
z Mxy Mx
Myx
Nx
My
y Nxy y
Nyx
Ny
(b)
(a)
 Classical Lamination Theory
Each lamina is orthotropic.
Each lamina is homogeneous.
A line straight and perpendicular to the middle surface remains
straight and perpendicular to the middle surface during
deformation. ( xz = yz = 0 ) .
The laminate is thin and is loaded only in its plane (plane stress)
(z = xz = yz = 0 ) .
Displacements are continuous and small throughout the laminate
(| u |, | v |, | w | | h |) , where h is the laminate thickness.
Each lamina is elastic.
No slip occurs between the lamina interfaces.
 Figure 4.4

U0

h/2
Mid-Plane x
wo
z
h/2
A
z
A

Cross-Section Cross-Section
Before Loading after Loading
 Global Strains in a Laminate
w0 0
2
u0
2 x

x

x
x
x
0

y =
v0 2 w0
+ z
y + z y .
2
.
y y
xy
u0

0xy xy
v0

2
w


+ 2 0

y x xy
 Figure 4.5

Mid-Plane

Laminate Strain Variation Stress Variation

 Figure 4.6

1
h0
2
3
h1 h/2
h2
h3
Mid-Plane
hk-1 k-1
hk tk k
k+1 h/2 z
hn-1
hn n
Stresses in a Lamina in a Laminate

x Q11 Q12 Q16

x
y = Q Q Q y
12 22 26

xy k
Q16 Q 26 Q66 k xy k

Q11 Q12 Q16 0 Q11 Q12 Q16 x

x

= Q12 Q 22 Q 26 0 + z y .
Q Q Q
12
y

22 26

0 xy
16
Q Q 26 Q 66 k xy
16
Q Q 26 Q 66 k
Forces and Stresses
N x x
h/ 2
N y =


-h/ 2
y dz,

N xy xy

N x x
n hk
N y =


k=1
y dz,

h k-1
N xy xy k
 Forces and Strains
N x Q11 Q12 Q16 0x
hk
0 dz
n
Q Q
N y =

12 22 Q 26 y

0
k= 1

h k-1
N xy
Q16 Q 26 Q66k xy

Q11 Q12 Q16 x

n hk
+ Q Q Q
k = 1 h k 1
12 22 26

y z dz

xy
Q16 Q 26 Q66k
Forces and Strains
N x Q11 Q12 Q16 0
n hk x
0
N y = Q12 Q 22 Q 26 dz y
k =1 h
N xy k -1

0xy
Q16 Q 26 Q66 k

Q11 Q12 Q16

n hk x

+ Q12 Q 22 Q 26 z dz y
k =1 h
k 1

xy
Q16 Q 26 Q66 k
Integrating terms
hk

dz = ( hk hk - 1) ,
hk - 1

hk
1 2
zdz =
2
(hk h2k - 1) ,
hk - 1
 Forces and Strains
N x A11 A12 0
A16 x B11 B12 B16 x
0
N y = A12 A22 A26 y + B12 B22 B26 y

N xy A16 A26 A66 0 B16 B26 B66 xy
xy
n

Aij =
k= 1
[( Qij ) ] k ( hk - hk - 1 ), i = 1,2 ,6; j = 1,2 ,6,

n
1
Bij =
2

k= 1
[( Qij ) ] k ( h2k - h2k - 1 ), i = 1,2 ,6; j = 1,2 ,6
 Moments and Strains

M x B11 B12 B16 0x D11 D12 D16 x

0
M y = B12 B22 B26 y + D12 D22 D26 y


M xy B16 B26 B66 0
xy D16 D26 D66 xy

n
1
Dij =
3

k= 1
[( Qij ) ] k ( h3k - h3k - 1 ) i = 1, 2 , 6; j = 1, 2 , 6.
 Forces, Moments, Strains,
Curvatures
N x A11 0x
A12 A16 B11 B12 B16

N y A12 0y
A22 A26 B12 B22 B26

N xy A16 A26 A66 B16 B26 B66 0
= xy

M x B11 B12 B16 D11 D12 D16
x

M y B12 B22 B26 D12 D22 D26
y

M xy B16 B26 B66 D16 D26 D66
xy
 Steps
1. Find the value of the reduced stiffness matrix [Q] for each ply using its four
elastic moduli, E1, E2, v12, G12 in Equation (2.93).
2. Find the value of the transformed reduced stiffness matrix [ Q ] for each ply
using the [Q] matrix calculated in Step 1 and the angle of the ply in Equation
(2.104) or Equations (2.137) and (2.138).
3. Knowing the thickness, tk of each ply, find the coordinate of the top and
bottom surface, hi, i = 1, . . . . . . . , n of each ply using Equation (4.20).
4. Use the [ Q ] matrices from Step 2 and the location of each ply from Step 3 to
find the three stiffness matrices [A], [B] and [D] from Equation (4.28).
5. Substitute the stiffness matrix values found in Step 4 and the applied forces
and moments in Equation (4.29).
 Steps
6. Solve the six simultaneous Equations (4.29) to find
the midplane strains and curvatures.

7. Knowing the location of each ply, find the global

strains in each ply using Equation (4.16).

8. For finding the global stresses, use the stress-strain

Equation (2.103).

9. For finding the local strains, use the transformation

Equation (2.99).

10. For finding the local stresses, use the

transformation Equation (2.94).
 Figure 4.7

z = -7.5mm
0o 5mm
z = -2.5mm
30o 5mm
z = 2.5mm
-45o 5mm
z
z = 7.5mm
Problem
A [0/30/-45] Graphite/Epoxy laminate is subjected to a load
of Nx = Ny = 1000 N/m. Use the unidirectional properties
from Table 2.1 of Graphite/Epoxy. Assume each lamina
has a thickness of 5 mm. Find
a)the three stiffness matrices [A], [B] and [D] for a three ply
[0/30/-45] Graphite/Epoxy laminate.
b)mid-plane strains and curvatures.
c) global and local stresses on top surface of 300 ply.
d)percentage of load Nx taken by each ply.
Solution
A) From Example 2.4, the reduced stiffness matrix for
the 00 Graphite/Epoxy ply is

181.8 2.897 0
9
0

[Q] = 2.897 10.35 0 (10 ) Pa

0 0 7.17
 181.8 2.897 0

From Equation [Q ]0 = 2.897 10.35 0 (109) Pa

(2.99), the 0 0 7.17
transformed
reduced
109.4 32.46 54.19
stiffness matrix
[Q ]30 = 32.46 23.65 20.05 (109) Pa
for each of the 54.19 20.05 36.74
three plies are

56.66 42.32 - 42.87

[Q]-45 = 42.32 56.66 - 42.87 (109) Pa
- 42.87 - 42.87 46.59

The total thickness of the laminate is
h = (0.005)(3) = 0.015 m.
The mid plane is 0.0075 m from the top and bottom of
the laminate. Hence using Equation (4.20), the
location of the ply surfaces are

h0 = -0.0075 m
h1 = -0.0025 m
h2 = 0.0025 m
h3 = 0.0075 m
 3

Aij = [Qij]k ( h k - h k - 1)
k =1

181.8 2.897 0
From Equation
[A] = 2.897 10.35 0 (109) [(-0.0025) - (-0.0075)]
(4.28a), the 0 7.17
0
extensional stiffness
matrix [A] is 109.4 32.46 54.19

+ 32.46 23.65 20.05 (109) [0.0025 - (-0.0025)]
54.19 20.05 36.74

56.66 42.32 - 42.87

+ 42.32 56.66 - 42.87 (109) [0.0075 - 0.0025]
- 42.87 - 42.87 46.59

 The [A] matrix

1.739(10 9 ) 3.884(10 8 ) 5.663(10 7 )

8
[A] = 3.884(10 ) 4.533(10 ) 1.141(10 ) Pa - m
8 8

5.663(10 7 ) 1.141(10 8 ) 4.525(10 8 )

 1 3
Bij =
2 k =1
[ ] ( 2
- 2
Qij k hk h k - 1)
From
Equation 181.2 2.897 0
(4.28b), the [B] = 2.897 10.35 0 (109) [(-0.0025 )2 - (-0.0075 )2 )]
1
coupling 2
0 0 7.17
stiffness
matrix [B] 109.4 32.46 54.19
is
1
2

+ 32.46 23.65 20.05 (109) (0.0025 )2 - (-0.0025 )2
54.19 20.05 36.74
56.66 42.32 42.87
+ 42.32 56.66 42.87 (109) [(0.0075 )2 - (0.0025 )2]
1
2
42.87 42.87 46.59
 The B Matrix

3.12910 6 9.855105 1.07210 6

[B] = 9.85510 1.15810 1.07210 Pa- m2
5 6 6

1.07210 6 1.07210 6 9.855105

 3
1
From Dij =
3 k =1
[ 3 3
Qij ]k hk h k - 1)
( -
Equation
(4.28c), the
181.8 2.897 0
bending
stiffness
[D] =
1
3
2.897


10.35 0 ( 109 ) (-0.0025 )3 - (- 0.0075 )3
0 0 7.17
matrix [D] is
109.4 32.46 54.19
+
1
3
32.46


23.65 20.05 ( 109 ) ( 0.0025 )3 - (- 0.0025 )3
54.19 20.05 36.74

56.66 42.32 42.87

+
1
3
42.32


56.66 42.87 ( 109 ) ( 0.0075 )3 - ( 0.0025 )3
42.87 42.87 46.59
 The [D] matrix

3.34310 4 6.46110 3 5.24010 3

[D] = 6.46110 9.32010 5.59610 Pa - m 3
3 3 3

5.24010 3 5.59610 3 7.66310 3

B) Since the applied load is Nx = Ny = 1000N/m, the mid-
plane strains and curvatures can be found by solving the
following set of simultaneous linear equations (Equation
4.29).
1.739(109) 3.884(108) 5.663(107) - 3.129(106) 9.855(105) - 1.072(106) 0x
1000
3.884(108) 4.533(108) - 1.141(108) 9.855(105) 1.158(106) - 1.072(10 ) y
6 0

1000
0 5.663(107) - 1.141(108) 4.525(108) - 1.072(106) - 1.072(106) 5 0
9.855(10 ) xy
=
0 - 3.129(106) 9.855(105) - 1.072(106) 3.343(104 ) 6.461(103) - 5.240(103) x

0 9.855(105) 1.158(106) - 1.072(106) 6.461(103) 9.320(103) - 5.596(103) y

0
6 6 5 3 3
- 1.072(10 ) - 1.072(10 ) 9.855(10 ) - 5.240(10 ) - 5.596(10 ) 7.663(103) xy
Mid-plane strains and curvatures
0x 3.123(10-7)

y 3.492(10-6) m/m
0

0 - 7.598( -7)
xy = 10
2.971(10-5)
x
- 3.285( -4 ) 1/m
y 10

-4
xy 4.101(10 )
C) The strains and stresses at the top surface of
the 300 ply are found as follows. First, the top
surface of the 300 ply is located at z = h1 = -0.0025
m. From Equation (4.16),

x 3.123(10-7) 2.971(10-5)

y = 3.492(10 ) + (-0.0025) - 3.285(10 )
-6 -4

xy 0 - 7.598(10-7) 4.101(10-4)
30 , top

2.380(10-7 )

= 4.313(10 ) m/m
-6

- 1.785(10 )
- 6

Table 4.1 Global strains (m/m) in Example 4.3

Ply # Position x y xy

1 (00) Top 8.944 (10-8) 5.955 (10-6) -3.836 (10-6)

Middle 1.637 (10-7) 5.134 (10-6) -2.811 (10-6)
Bottom 2.380 (10-7) 4.313 (10-6) -1.785 (10-6)

2 (300) Top 2.380 (10-7) 4.313 (10-6) -1.785 (10-6)

Middle 3.123 (10-7) 3.492 (10-6) -7.598 (10-7)
Bottom 3.866 (10-7) 2.670 (10-6) 2.655 (10-7)

3(-450) Top 3.866 (10-7) 2.670 (10-6) 2.655 (10-7)

Middle 4.609 (10-7) 1.849 (10-6) 1.291 (10-6)
Bottom 5.352 (10-7) 1.028 (10-6) 2.316 (10-6)
Using the stress-strain Equations (2.98) for an angle
ply,
x 109.4 32.46 54.19 2.380(10
-7
)
9
y = 32.46 23.65 20.05 (10 ) 4.313(10-6)
54.19 20.05 36.74
xy 0, top - 1.785(10-6)
30
6.930(104 )

= 7.391(104 ) Pa

3.381(104 )

Table 4.2 Global stresses (Pa) in Example 4.3
Ply # Position x y xy

1 (00) Top 3.351 (104) 6.188 (104) -2.750 (104)

Middle 4.464 (104) 5.359 (104) -2.015 (104)
Bottom 5.577 (104) 4.531 (104) -1.280 (104)

2 (300) Top 6.930 (104) 7.391 (104) 3.381 (104)

Middle 1.063 (105) 7.747 (104) 5.903 (104)
Bottom 1.434 (105) 8.102 (104) 8.426 (104)

3 (-450) Top 1.235 (105) 1.563 (105) -1.187 (105)

Middle 4.903 (104) 6.894 (104) -3.888 (104)
Bottom -2.547 (104) -1.840 (104) 4.091 (104)
The local strains and local stress as in the 300 ply at the
top surface are found using transformation Equation
(2.94) as

1 0.7500 0.2500 0.8660 2.380(10 )

-7

2 = 0.2500 0.7500 - 0.8660 4.313(10 )
-6

12 /2 - 0.4330 0.4330 0.5000 - 1.785(10-6)/ 2

1 4 .837( 10
-7
)

2 = 4 .067 (10 -6
) m/m

12 2.636(10- 6)

Table 4.3 Local strains (m/m) in Example 4.3

Ply # Position 1 2 12
1 (00) Top 8.944 (10-8) 5.955(10-6) -3.836(10-6)
Middle 1.637 (10-7) 5.134(10-6) -2.811(10-6)
Bottom 2.380 (10-7) 4.313(10-6) -1.785(10-6)
2 (300) Top 4.837(10-7) 4.067(10-6) 2.636(10-6)
Middle 7.781(10-7) 3.026(10-6) 2.374(10-6)
Bottom 1.073(10-6) 1.985(10-6) 2.111(10-6)
3 (-450) Top 1.396(10-6) 1.661(10-6) -2.284(10-6)
Middle 5.096(10-7) 1.800(10-6) -1.388(10-6)
Bottom -3.766(10-7) 1.940(10-6) -4.928(10-7)
 1 0.7500 0.2500 .8660 6.930(10 )
4

2
= 0.2500 0.7500 - .8660 7.391(10 )
4

12 - 0.4330 0.4330 0.5000 3.381(104)
9.973(104 )

= 4.348(104 ) Pa

1.890(104 )

 Table 4.4 Local stresses (Pa) in Example 4.3

Ply # Position 1 2 12

1 (00) Top 3.351 (104) 6.188 (104) -2.750 (104)

Middle 4.464 (104) 5.359(104) -2.015 (104)
Bottom 5.577 (104) 4.531 (104) -1.280 (104)

2 (300) Top 9.973 (104) 4.348 (104) 1.890 (104)

Middle 1.502 (105) 3.356 (104) 1.702 (104)
Bottom 2.007 (105) 2.364 (104) 1.513 (104)

3 (-450) Top 2.586 (105) 2.123 (104) -1.638 (104)

Middle 9.786 (104) 2.010 (104) -9.954 (103)
Bottom -6.285 (104) 1.898 (104) -3.533 (103)
 D) The portion of the load Nx taken by each ply can be
calculated by integrating the stress xx through the

thickness of each ply. However, since the stress varies

linearly through each ply, the portion of the load Nx taken
is simply the product of the stress xx at the middle of
each ply (See Table 4.2) and the thickness of the ply.
Portion of load Nx taken by 00 ply = 4.464(104)(5)(10-3) = 223.2 N/m
Portion of load Nx taken by 300 ply = 1.063(105)(5)(10-3) = 531.5 N/m
Portion of load Nx taken by -450 ply = 4.903(104)(5)(10-3) = 245.2 N/m

The sum total of the loads shared by each ply is 1000 N/m,
(223.2 + 531.5 + 245.2) which is the applied load in the x-direction, Nx.
 223.2
Percentage of load Nx taken by 00 ply 100
1000
= 22.32 %

531.5
Percentage of load Nx taken by 300 ply 100
1000
= 53.15 %

Percentage of load Nx taken by -450 ply 245.2

100
1000
= 24.52 %
Figure 4.8

Strip 1, E1, 1

Strip 2, E2, 2