The Influence of Layer Waviness on the Stress State in Hydrostatically Loaded Cylinders

Abstract

The influence of wavy circumferential layers on the stress state in hydrostatically loaded laminated thick cross-ply composite cylinders is examined by combining analytical and finite-element analyses. The study assumes the existence of an isolated cosinusoidal wave in an otherwise perfect cylinder. The influence of just the geometry of the wavy layers is first studied. This is followed by a study of the added effect of material property variations that most likely accompany any geometric anomaly. The investigation concludes that: (1) significant levels of interlaminar shear stress exist for what is felt to be a mild level of waviness; (2) the added effect of material property variation is quite important in determin ing the actual level of shear stress produced.