On Large Deflection Effects in Unsymmetric Cross-Ply Composite Laminates

Abstract

Static and dynamic behaviors of unsymmetric cross-ply laminates in cylindrical bending are investigated using von Karman large deflection theory. Due to the presence of bending- extension coupling, the effect of the large deflection term becomes pronounced even in the "small deflection" range. Further, the apparent laminate bending rigidity depends on the direction of deflection. It is also found that in free vibration at small amplitudes, large deflection theory may yield frequencies lower than linear theory.