Interlaminar Stresses in Composite Laminates Under Uniform Axial Extension

The response of a finite-width composite laminate under uniform axial strain is treated through the application of classical elasticity theory. Finite-difference solution techniques are employed to obtain solutions for stresses and displacements throughout the region. Results for material properties typical of a high modulus graphite-epoxy composite material system are presented which explain the mechanism of shear transfer within a symmetric laminate. In addition, results of this work are compared to those given in a recent approximate formulation.