On the Calculation of Interlaminar Normal Stress in Composite Laminate

Abstract

In an effort to improve our understanding of delamination phenomena in composite bodies, an approximate method to define the distribution of the interlaminar normal stress, σ ₂, along the central plane of a symmetric, finite-width, composite laminate is presented. The approach is based upon a modified version of a recent theory developed by Whitney and Sun and accounts for the influence of the pertinent material and geometric parameters on the shape of the distribution. The accuracy of the approach is demonstrated by comparison with an existing three-dimensional elasticity solution. Finally, an elementary expression for σ_z in practical bidirectional laminates is derived.