Derivation and use of Laminate

Compliances
Recall: laminate force deformation equations
N
A B

M
B
D

Inverted form:

(7.45)

stiffnesses

A B

B D

compliances

(7.46)

Inverted equations needed for :

Determination of lamina stresses and strains
from known loads
Determination of laminate engineering constants
Comparison of measured and predicted
compliances
1
Inverted Form: A B N

B D M
A' B '

C ' D'

Symmetric

(7.54)

 A' B '
may be formed
Compliance matrix

C ' D'
by inverting entire stiffness matrix, or by inversion
of subdivided smaller matrices.

Matrix Inversion:
Ex: inverse of square matrix [A]

a
A
1

Where

adjA

[a]T = adjoint matrix [A]

= transpose of cofactor matrix
[a], and the
elements in the cofactor matrix are
given
by aij = (-1)i+jAij
A
and
= determinant of

Determination of Lamina Stresses and Strains

(Without Hygrothermal effects)
Procedure:
1. Knowing engineering constants for the plies,
E1, E2, G12, 12, calculate the Qij, for plies.
2. Using ply orientation, calculate Q ij
3. Using ply stacking sequence and ply
thicknesses, calculate laminate stiffnesses, Aij,
Bij, Dij
4. Form stiffness matrix and invert

Determination of Lamina Stresses and Strains

(Without Hygrothermal effects)
5. Find strains and curvatures from
1

A B N

B D M
6. Find lamina stresses from
k Q k z

7. Apply failure criterion, if necessary.

(7.54)

Determination of Lamina Stresses and

Strains
Now that we have the inverted laminate force
deformation relationships in Equations (7.54),
the calculation of lamina stresses and strains
from known laminate forces and moments is a
straightforward procedures. For a laminate at
constant temperature and moisture content, the
stresses in the kth lamina are given by Equations
(7.31), which can be written in abbreviated
matrix notation as

k Q k 0 z

(7.56)

Determination of Lamina Stresses and

Strains
where the midplane strains and curvatures
are given in terms of laminate forces and
moments by Equations (7.54). The lamina
stresses from Equations (7.56) can then be used
in conjunction with a lamina strength criterion
to check each lamina against failure. The
analysis of hygrothermal stresses will be
discussed later in Section 7.6, and laminate
strength analysis will be presented in Section
7.8

Example 7.6: The symmetric angle ply

laminate described in Example 7.3 is subjected
to a single uniaxial force per unit length Nx = 50
MPa mm. Determine the resulting stresses
associated with the x and y axes in each lamina.
Due to symmetry,
[B] = 0 and
Since {M} = 0 here,

[A] = [A*] = [A] -1

A' N A N
1

Using the inverse of the [A] matrix from Example

7.3, we find that,

xy

0.04276 0.0297
0.0297 0.04276
0

50
0 10 3

0.02809 0
0
0

0.002138

0.001485

where (GPa-mm)-1 = 10-3 (MPa-mm)-1

Substituting the above strains and the lamina

stiffnesses from Example 7.3 in Equations (7.56),
the stresses in the +45 plies are found to be

x
y

xy

45.22 31.42 32.44 0.002138

3
31.42 45.22 32.44 0.001485 10

32.44 32.44 35.6

0

50

0 MPa
where 103 MPa = GPa.
21.2

Similarly, the stresses in the 45 plies are

x
y

xy

31.42 32.44
45.22
31.42
45.22
32.44
32.44 32.44
35.6

0.002138

0
.
001485

10

50

0 MPa
21.2

Note that, since the curvatures vanish for

this problem, the stresses do not depend on
the distance z.

Example 7.7: The antisymmetric angle ply

laminate described in Example 7.4 is subjected
to a single uniaxial force per unit length Nx = 50
MPa mm. Determine the resulting stresses
associated with the x and y axes in each lamina.
Since this laminate is not symmetric, we must
invert the full stiffness matrix as in Equation
(7.46) or Equation (7.54). Forming the full
stiffness matrix from the [A], [B] and [D]
matrices in Example 7.4 and inverting, the
resulting midplane strains and curvatures are
found to be ,

 x 0.04386 0.02861
0
0
0
0.02083

0
.
02861
0
.
04386
0
0
0

0
.
02083
y

xy

0
0
0.03284 0.02083 0.02083
0

0
0

0
.
02083
0
.
52625

0
.
34331
0
x

0
0
0.02083 0.34331 0.52625
0

0
0
0
0.39356
xy 0.02083 0.02083
0.002193 mm mm
0.001430 mm mm

0
mm mm

1
0
mm

0
mm

0.001042 mm 1

50
0

0
3
10
0
0

0

Where again the factor of 10-3 has been introduced

for dimensional consistency. Due to the curvatures,
the total strains and stresses now depend on the
distance z (unlike Example 7.6). For example, at
the top surface of the #1 ply (45o), z = -0.5 mm and
the resulting total strains are

x x z x 0.002193 (0.5)(0)
0.002193 mm mm
y y z y 0.00143 (0.5)(0)

xy

0.00143 mm mm
xy z xy 0 (0.5)(0.001042)
0.000521 mm mm

Similarly, at the bottom surface of the #1 (-45 o) ply,

or at the top surface of the #2 ply (+ 45 o), z = -0.25
mm and the strains are

x 0.002193 (0.25)(0) 0.002193 mm mm

y 0.00143 (0.25)(0) 0.00143 mm mm
xy 0 (0.25)(0.001042) 0.000261 mm mm
At the top surface of the #3 ply (-45 o), or at the
bottom surface of the #2 ply, z = 0 and the
strains are
0.002193 mm mm
x

y 0.00143 mm mm
xy 0

At the top surface of the #4 ply (+45o), or at the

bottom surface of the #3 ply (-45o), z = +0.25
mm and
0.002193 mm mm
x

y 0.00143 mm mm
xy 0.000261 mm mm
Finally, at the bottom of the #4 ply (+45 o),
z = +0.5 mm and
x 0.002193 mm mm

y 0.00143 mm mm
xy 0.000521 mm mm

The stresses at the top surface of the #1 ply (-45 o)

are then,
x 45.22
31.42 32.44 0.002193

y 31.42
45.22 32.44 0.001430 10 3
xy 32.44 32.44 35.6 0.000521

37.3

12.7 MPa
6.2

Where again 103 MPa = GPa. Similar

calculations for the other plies yield the values
shown in the table below.

Location
#1 Top
#1 Bottom
#2 Top
#2 Bottom
#3 Top
#3 Bottom
#4 Top
#4 Bottom

x (MPa) y(MPa) x(MPa)

37.3
45.8
62.7
54.2
54.2
62.7
45.8
37.3

-12.7
-4.2
12.7
4.2
4.2
12.7
-4.2
-12.7

-6.2
-15.5
34.0
24.7
-24.7
-34.0
15.5
6.2

Thus, the stress distribution across the thickness of the

antisymmetric laminate is quite complex, even for simple
uniaxial loading. This is typical for laminates which
exhibit coupling.

Determination of Laminate Engineering

Constants from Laminate Compliances
Ex: symmetric laminate, Bij = 0, under in plane
loads

Nx

Ny
N
xy

A11

A12
A16

A12

A22
A26

A16 x

A26 y
A66 xy

(7.57)

Inverted Form:

x
y

xy

A11 ' A12 ' A16 ' N x

A12 ' A22 ' A26 ' N y

A16 ' A26 ' A66 ' N xy

(7.58)

In plane loading of symmetric laminate for

defining the in plane laminate engineering
constants
Ny
Nx
t

(a)
(b)
Nxy
t

(c)

Effective Youngs Modulus, Ex

Nx
t

N x 0, N y N xy 0

x
Nx / t
1
Ex

x A11 ' N x tA11 '

(7.59)

Effective Youngs Modulus, Ey

N y 0, N x N xy 0
y
Ny /t
1
Ey

y A22 ' N y tA22 '

(7.60)

Caution: Deformation patterns must be consistent with definitions of

engineering constants.

Effective Shear Modulus, Gxy

Nxy
t

N xy 0, N x N y 0

xy
N xy / t
1
Gxy

xy A66 ' N xy tA66 '

Effective Longitudinal Poissons Ratio
A12 '
xy
A11 '
Effective Shear Coupling Ratios
A16 '
A26 '
x , xy
x , xy
A11 '
A66 '

(7.61)

(7.62)

(7.63)

Bending moment loading of symmetric

laminate for defining the laminate
flexural moduli
b
Mx

Mx

(a)
b

(b)

Effective Flexural Moduli

Ex: Symmetric laminate subjected to bending only.
Inverted moment curvature equations

x
y

xy

D11 ' D12 ' D16 ' M x

D12 ' D22 ' D26 ' M y

D16 ' D26 ' D66 ' M xy

(7.65)

Flexural Modulus, Efx

M x 0, M y M xy 0

b
Mx

M
1
x D11 ' M x D11 '
b x
Where

M = total bending moment

= Mxb
1
x
x = radius of curvature

(7.66)

For an equivalent homogeneous beam

M
1

E fx I yy x
M
M
D11 '

b E fx I yy
and
b
b
E fx

3
D11 ' I yy D11 ' bt 12
12
E fx 3
t D11 '
12
Similarly,
E fy 3
t D22 '

(7.67)

(7.68)
(7.69)

Measurement of Laminate Compliances

for Comparison with Predictions
Strain gages bonded
to laminate

Measurement of strains with electrical resistance strain gages

structure

Strain gage(adhesively bonded to

structure)

Power Supply

Wheatstone
Bridge circuit

Voltmeter read out

From Instrumentation for

Engineering Measurements,
by J.W.Dally, W.F.Riley and
K.G. McConnell, John Wiley
& Sons, 1984

Determination of strains x , y & xy from strain gage rosette measurements

y
x'

Measure x , y , x with strain gage rosette

y'

Strain transformation equation :

x x cos 2 y sin 2 xy sin cos

for measured x , y , x at a known angle , solve for xy

x x cos 2 y sin 2
xy
sin cos
Therefore x , y , xy are determined

Mohrs Circle for rectangular Rosette

Measure three normal strains A, B , C

45

45

B
B av B

2 p

C
90

90

II

av A C
2

2 p

A av

or A C
2

I
B av

 av

A C

; R ( A C ) 2 ( B av ) 2
2
2

Principal Strains :
I av R

II av R
Orientation of principal axis :


1
1
p tan 1 ( B av ) tan 1 ( B av )
A C
2
A av
2
2
measured from " a" axis
For example shown, p is as follows :
II

C
p

I
A

Determination of Strains x, y and xy

from Strain Gage Rosette Measurements
y

Measure x, y, x with
strain gage rosette

y
x

Strain transformation equation:

x ' x cos y sin xy sin cos

2

Determination of Strains x, y and xy

from Strain Gage Rosette Measurements
For measured x, y, x at a known angle , solve
for xy

x ' x cos y sin

sin cos
2

xy

x, y, xy are determined

Comparison of Measured and Predicted

Compliances
Experiments: bond strain gages on both surfaces of
laminate, then apply loads

Upper surface:

t
z
2

t
x measured strain along x
2
direction on upper
t
U
0
y y y surface
measured strain along y
2
direction on upper
surface
U
x

0
x

(7.70)

(7.71)

t
z
2

Lower surface:

t
x measured strain along x
2
direction on lower
surface
t
L
0
y y y measured strain along y
2
direction on lower
L
x

0
x

(7.72)

(7.73)

surface
Solve these 4 equations simultaneously for
x0 , y0 , x , y
For shear strains and twisting curvatures, xy ,
measure strains along 45o direction
0
xy

 cos sin sin cos

U
45

U
x

U
y

U
xy

for 45, solve for

U
xy

2
U
45

U
x

U
y

Similarly, for lower surface

then

2
t
U
0
xy xy xy
2
t
L
0
xy xy xy
2

L
xy

L
45

L
x

L
y

(7.74)

U
xy

(7.75)

solve for

(7.76)
(7.77)
(7.78)
0
xy

and xy

Uniaxial Loading, Nx
Nx 0
Nx

x
A11 '
Nx
y
A12 '
Nx
xy
A16 '
Nx

N y N xy 0
M x M y M xy 0

x
B11 '
Nx
y
B12 '
Nx
xy
B16 '
Nx

(7.79)

Flexure Test, Mx
Mx 0
M y M xy 0

Mx
Mx

N x N y N xy 0

x
x
B11 '
D11 '
Mx
Mx
y
y
(7.80)
B12 '
D12 '
Mx
Mx
xy
xy
B16 '
D16 '
Mx
Mx
See Fig. 7.21. Good agreement with experiments

Measured and predicted compliances for glass/epoxy angle ply

laminates for various lamination angles. From Tsai, 1964.

Hygrothermal Effects in Laminates

For polymer matrix composites, the main effects are:
1. degradation of properties
2. Changes in stress and strain distributions
Linear analyses:
Analyses based on separate treatment of mechanical
and hygrothermal effects no coupling between
effects. Coupling leads to nonlinear equations.
Ex: Moisture diffusion increased by tensile stresses and
decreased by compressive stresses.
Also assume that the temperature and moisture
distributions in laminate are uniform.

Hygrothermal Degradation in Laminates

Use empirical equations to degrade matrix properties
(recall Equation (5.7)):

Tgw T

Po Tgo To

(5.7)

Then use degraded matrix property in

micromechanics equations to estimate degraded
lamina properties.
Degraded lamina properties used in laminate
equations to estimate degraded laminate properties.
Hygrothermal properties may also be degraded.

Hygrothermal Stresses in Laminates

Lamina stresses due to temperature and
moisture as the lamina interacts with adjacent
laminae.
Hygrothermal stresses arise not only in use,
but during fabrication.
Begin with equation for total strains in the kth
lamina:
k S k k k T k c (7.81)

Resulting stresses are then

k Q k k k T k c

(7.82)

If the lamina is completely restrained by adjacent

laminae k 0 and

k Q k k T k c

(7.83)

In a laminate, however k 0
Instead from classical lamination theory, we know
that
(7.84)
k z
Thus the lamina hygrothermal stresses are,

k Q k z k T k c

(7.85)

To solve Equation (7.85), need to know

and , but the equation

A B

B
D

Only includes mechanical loads {N} and

{M}, so we need to find a way to include
the hygrothermal loading.

Resultant forces acting on lamina

(7.86)
N k dz
N Q k z k T k c dz
T
M

A B N N

Where the thermal forces are

N Q

Tdz T Q k k z k z k 1
k 1

and the hygroscopic forces are

N Q

(7.87)

cdz c Q k k z k z k 1
k 1

(7.88)

Similarly, the resultant moments are

(7.89)
M k zdz
Q k z k T k c zdz
T
M

B D M M

Where the thermal moments are

N

T
T
2
2
M Q k k Tzdz
Q k k z k z k 1

2 k 1

(7.90)

and the hygroscopic moments are

N
c
M
2
2
M Q k k czdz Q k k z k z k 1
2 k 1

(7.91)

Rearranging (7.86) and (7.89),

and
or

N N T N M A B

(7.92)

M M

(7.93)

M B D
M

NE
A B

E
B D
M

(7.94)

Where the total effective forces are

N N N N
M M M M
E

(7.95)
(7.96)

Alternatively,

A' B ' N E

E

B ' D ' M

(7.97)

Thus, for known loads, temperatures and

moisture constants, we can find and
from (7.97), then find lamina stresses
from (7.85).
(See Example 7.9)

Laminate Hygrothermal Expansion

Coefficients
Ex: effective CTE along x direction:
0
x
x
T
For a symmetric laminate, Bij = 0, and

A11 ' N A12 ' N A16 ' N

0
x

T
x

T
y

(7.98)

T
xy

where
N
N T T Q11 x Q12 y Q16 xy

k 1

(7.99)

z
k

z k 1

Note that T cancels out in Eq. (7.98), and that laminate CTE is
then related to lamina CTEs, lamina stiffnesses, laminate
compliances and laminate geometry.

Example: For graphite/epoxy and several other

types of composites, 1 < 0 while 2 > 0. Thus,
we can design a laminate to have x 0 by
selecting the proper ply orientations.
0

For
angle ply laminate, calculate x for given
0
T, then
x
x
T
Repeat calculation to find opt
and therefore, x 0 .

at which x 0

 x0

opt

Note that this value of the optimum lamina

orientation is not necessarily the same as the
value found from the transformation equation
x 1 cos 2 2 sin 2 0

Which is based on a single lamina at angle .

y

The value opt found by

x
0
T
0
x

includes interactions with other laminae in

the angle ply laminate.
y