The effect of fiber waviness on the stability of laminated plates under various loadings

Abstract

This paper presents the development of an analytical formulation to predict the effect in-plane fiber waviness on the elastic stability of composite laminate. A theoretical elastic model was developed to predict the lamina elastic properties as function of fiber waviness [1]. A reduction of lamina stiffness is found due to minor fiber waviness. This formulation uses the lamina elastic properties that depend on fiber waviness, to predict the effect of fiber waviness on buckling behavior of composite plate. Percent reduction of critical buckling load versus fiber waviness is obtained. Examples are presented to substantiate the model predictions.