Mechanics of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite Structures

Prof. Debabrata Chakraborty

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati

Module-08
Elastic Behaviour of Laminates-II
Lecture-21
Special Classes of Laminates

In the last lecture, the constitutive relation for a laminate was developed starting with classical
lamination theory. This constitutive equation for laminate defines the characteristics of laminate
as in
(Refer Slide Time: 00:53)

 N   A B    
 =  
M   B D   K  (1)

where

 Nx   Mx 
   
={N } =N y  ;{M } My 
N  M 
 xy   xy 

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 and

 A11 A12 A16   B11 B12 B16   D11 D12 D16 

=[ A] = A12 A22 A26  ;[ B ] = 
 B12 B22 B26  ;[ D]
D
 12 D22 D26 
 A16 A26 A66  3×3  B16 B26 B66  3×3  D16 D26 D66  3×3

This relation (1) for a laminate which defines the characteristics of a laminate actually relates the
in plane forces and moments resultants to the mid surface strains and curvature by means of the so
called ABBD matrix. [A] is the extensional stiffness which relates the in plane forces to the
corresponding mid surface strains and [D] is the bending stiffness which relates the moment
resultants to the corresponding curvatures. [B] is the coupling matrix which actually couples the
in plane force resultants to the curvatures and the moment resultants to the in plane strains.
Therefore, it couples the force resultants to the curvatures and the moment resultants to the in plane
strengths. The role played by each element of the matrix was also discussed in details in the last
lecture.
(Refer Slide Time: 02:57)

And more importantly we understood that each element of this ABBD matrix is actually decided
by the geometrical properties and mechanical properties of the constituent laminae from which the
laminate is made. Geometrical properties are the thickness of the lamina and the location with

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reference to the mid surface plane or the stacking sequence of laminae. Mechanical properties are
the engineering constants for each lamina.
So, the geometrical properties and as well as the mechanical properties of each lamina actually
decides what will be the value of each of these elements and therefore by choosing the geometrical
and mechanical properties of the constituent laminae, desirable properties may be achieved or the
undesirable characteristics may be eliminated. For example, if laminate is expected not to have
any coupling between the in-plane load and the curvature, then we shall choose the geometrical
and mechanical properties of the laminae is such a way that the elements of the [B] matrix are zero
which also endures that subjected to moment it will only have curvatures and no implant strains.
Similarly, if the terms A 16 and A 26 are zero, then there is no coupling between the in-plane normal
force and the in-plane shear strain.

A B
 
In this lecture, simplification of the stiffness matrix  B D  leading to special cases of laminate

stiffness will be discussed. For a laminate with arbitrary stacking sequence, all the elements of
laminate stiffness matrix will be highly populated and non-zero.
But in many situations, there is a need for specific stacking sequence such that some of the
elements laminate stiffness matrix will be zero, which simplifies the analysis avoiding undesirable
responses like lamina and laminate level couplings.
(Refer Slide Time: 05:45)

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Symmetric Laminate:
If a laminate is constructed by stacking several laminae such that for every kth lamina above/below
reference plane there is a kth lamina below/above reference (refer Fig.) plane such that,
(i ) zk = − zk′ ie. same distance from the ref plane, one aboveand other below
(ii ) tk = tk′ ie. they have the same thickness
(iii ) Qij  k = Qij  k′ ie. they have the same material properties

The laminate is a Symmetric Laminate and it possesses symmetry with reference to the mid surface
whatever is above the mid surface, below the mid surface is just the reflection of that. As a
consequence of symmetry [Bij]=0 ie each element of the coupling matrix is zero. This could be
proved as follows.

( zk + zk −1 ) z − z =
1 n
( )
n n
 Bij  =
=
∑ Q 
∑[Q ]k zk2 − zk2−1 = ( k k −1 ) ∑ [Q ]k zk ⋅ tk
2 k 1 =k 1 k 2 =k 1

Now, that for every k there is a k ′ for which tk = tk ′ , zk = − zk ′ , [Q]k = [Q ]k ′ , and therefore Bij=0.

Thus, as a consequence of this symmetry (note that this is a symmetry of geometry as well as
material properties) each element of [B] becomes zero and there is no bending extension coupling
leading to simplified behavior and simplified analysis.
In the last lecture in the discussion on the analysis of laminate for a symmetric laminate the analysis
could be decoupled as

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 N x   A11 A16  ε x   M x   D11 D16   K x 
o
A12 D12
         
 N y  =  A12 A22 A26  ε yo   M y  =  D12 D22 D26   K y 
  A A66  γ xyo     D66   K xy 
 N xy   13 A23
  and  M xy   D16 D23
 

In addition, this kind of symmetric laminates prevent warpage during fabrication. That means
when a laminate during fabrication is allowed to cool to room temperature from the curing
temperature and it experiences the temperature gradient of ∆T. If it is not symmetric it will bend
leading to warpage.
(Refer Slide Time: 14:06)

Now symmetric laminates could be symmetric cross ply laminates. In a symmetric cross ply
laminate, in addition to satisfying the conditions of symmetry, each layer is a specially orthotropic
layer that means each layer of the laminate is either 0˚ or 90˚. Just to remind, in a specially
orthotropic lamina, the material axes coincide with the analysis axes. For example [0/90/90/0] is a
cross ply symmetric laminate which could be written as [0/90]S . Because each layer is specially

orthotropic, therefore Q=
16 Q=
26 0 and that means that there is no shear extension coupling in a

specially orthotropic lamina.

As a consequence of Q=
16 Q=
26 0,

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 1 n
∑
n
Ai 6 = Qi 6  (z k − zk −1 ) =→
0 A16 =A26 =0 Di 6 =∑ Qi 6  k (z 3 k − z 3 k −1 ) =→
0 D16 =D26 =
0
k =1
k
and 3 k =1 . Also,

 Bij  = 0
because it is symmetric.

Therefore the characteristics of a symmetric cross ply laminate are

 A11 A12 0 
 Aij  =  A22 0  no in-plane shear-extension coupling

 A66 
 Bij  = 0 no laminate level bending-extension coupling
 D11 D12 0 
 Dij  =  D22 0  no bending-twisting coupling
 D66 

Similarly symmetric laminates could be symmetric angle ply laminate. An angle ply laminate is
actually having its adjacent plies oriented at + θ and − θ. In such an angle ply laminate, if the
number of layers are odd like say [+θ/– θ/+θ/– θ/+θ], then it is a symmetric angle ply laminate.

This symmetric angle laminate could be written as [+θ / −θ / +θ ]S . For this

Q=
16
c3s(Q11 − Q12 − 2Q66 ) + cs3 (Q12 − Q22 + 2Q66 )
Q=
26
cs3 (Q11 − Q12 − 2Q66 ) + c3s(Q12 − Q22 + 2Q66 )
∴Qi6 (θ ) =
−Qi6 (−θ )
ie. the Q16 is an odd function of θ. As a consequence of this for a [+θ/– θ/+θ/– θ/] laminate
n n

=

k 1=
=
Qi 6  (z k −=
Ai6
k
∑
zk −1)
k
∑1 Qi6 k tk = 0

But for a symmetric angle ply laminate, say [+θ / −θ / +θ ]S , Q16 for the +θ and –θ pairs cancel out

and only one Q16 (θ) remains. So, A16 is for only one layer. If a laminate is having n layers of
thickness tk and the total thickness is h, then
h
⇒ =
A16 Q16 (θ ) =
⋅ tk Q16 (θ ) ⋅
n
h
large ' n ', → → very small
n

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 Therefore A16 and A26 are negligible. Therefore depending upon the number of layers, if the
number of layers are large, A16 and A26 could be negligible.

(Refer Slide Time: 22:09)

Balanced Laminate:
Balance laminate consists of pairs of layers with identical thickness and properties but have +θ
and – θ as their fiber orientation with reference to the laminate analysis axes x-y. In a balanced
laminate

Q=
16
c3s(Q11 − Q12 − 2Q66 ) + cs3 (Q12 − Q22 + 2Q66 )
Q=
26
cs3 (Q11 − Q12 − 2Q66 ) + c3s(Q12 − Q22 + 2Q66 )
∴Qi6 (θ ) =
−Qi6 (−θ )

−Q16 (−θ ) and Q26 (θ ) =

So, Q16 (θ ) = −Q26 (−θ ) .

Since for every theta every +θ there is a – θ therefore it implies that for a balanced laminate
=
A16 0;=
A26 0 Thus, the characteristics of a balanced laminate is that in plane shear extension

coupling is eliminated.
Now, the significance of angle plies was already discussed. In a specially orthotropic laminate ie
in a cross ply laminate (0˚ and 90˚), it will be strong and stiff in the longitudinal and transverse

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direction but poor when it comes to shear. To enhance the shear stiffness, say 45˚ layers are
included in the layup. But as soon as one 45˚ layer is included, that immediately leads to the
existence of A16 and A26 which is actually zero for 0˚ and 90˚. Therefore including a 45˚ layer will
lead to shear extension coupling. But if along with that 45 ˚ layer there is another −45˚
layer that means if they come in pair, then A16 = A26 = 0 and the shear-extension be eliminated.
So, that is how a balanced laminate is important while it provides the required shear stiffness at
the same time, the shear extension coupling is eliminated. Also note that if 0˚ or 90˚ layer is added
to a balanced laminate, this characteristic A16 = A26 = 0 does not change because for 0˚ or 90˚ layer
anyway A16 =A26 = 0. Thus adding 0˚ or 90˚ to a balanced laminate like [0/+45/- 45/+45/-45/90],
does not change the characteristics of A16 =A26 = 0 and is also considered to be balanced laminate.
Then balance laminate could be symmetric also. Say [± 45]S is a symmetric balance laminate.
Therefore, for a balanaced symmetric laminate, [B]=0, in addition to A16 =A26 = 0.
Now if a laminate does not have symmetry then it could be unsymmetric laminate or also called
asymmetric or non-symmetric. The characteristics of unsymmetric laminate that means in ABBD
matrix elements of [B] are non-zero unlike symmetric laminates where all the elements of [B]
matrix are zero and hence bending extension coupling exists.
A laminate could also be anti-symmetric where the balanced pair of +θ and – θ are symmetrically

placed with reference to the mid surface. For example, [+θ1 /+θ2 /-θ1 /-θ2 ] is an anti-symmetric

laminate. So, in an anti-symmetric laminate, for each +θ layer there is a – θ layer of identical
thickness and same material but they are placed symmetrically with respect to the middle surface.
Anti-symmetric laminates are definitely balanced laminates. Because it is balanced, therefore the
characteristics of balanced laminate A16 =A26 = 0 is also the characteristics of an anti-symmetric
laminate. In addition, for anti-symmetric laminate D16= D260 as shown below.

1 n
Di 6 =∑ Qi 6  k (h3 k − h3 k −1 ) =→
0 D16 =D26 =
0
3 k =1
Therefore the characteristics of an anti-symmetric laminate is that A16 = A26 = 0 and also D16 =
D26 =0. However because it is not symmetric therefore the bending extension coupling exist and
[𝐵𝐵𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖] ≠0.

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(Refer Slide Time: 29:32)

(Refer Slide Time: 35:22)

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Similarly there could be anti-symmetric cross ply laminate. Like symmetric cross ply here also
each ply is a specially orthotropic plies but for each 0˚ ply above the mid surface there is 90˚
symmetrically placed below the mid surface. For example, [0/90/0/90] an anti-symmetric cross
ply laminate. So,
A=
16 A=
26 0
D=16 D=26 0
[ B] ≠ 0

There is another special class of laminate which is called quasi isotropic laminate. Quasi- isotropic
means it is isotropic in some sense but not fully isotropic. Therefore a quasi-isotropic laminate is
a laminate which shows isotropic behaviour under in plane loading, and not in bending that is why
it is quasi isotropic. This is defined as a n layer laminate and such that n≥ 3 and the fiber
𝜋𝜋 𝜋𝜋
orientation of the adjacent layer or lamina is incremented by (for n=3, it incremented by =
𝑛𝑛 3

60˚). The stacking sequence of a three lamina laminate will be like, the first is lamina is 0˚, the
next lamina will be 60˚ and then incrementing again by 60˚, the next will be 120˚ and so the lamina
will be [0/60/120]. Similarly for a four layer laminate, the laminate will be [0/45/90/135]. The
fiber orientations are with reference to that laminate axis x-y and thus 120˚ with respect to
x-y is same as −60˚ with respect to x-y. So, [0/60/120] could be written as [0/60/–60].
Similarly, 135˚ is nothing but −45˚. So, the laminate [0/45/90/135] could also
be written as [0/45/90/−45]. These are quasi isotropic laminates. It
could be shown that the [A] for this kind of quasi isotropic laminates
becomes

 
 A11 A12 0 
  A11 − A12
=[ A]  A11 =
0  ; A22 A=
11 and A66
 2
A11 − A12 
 
 2 

Note that [A] represents the in plane response of the laminate. So, this [A] is actually it behaves

like an isotropic material. A11 = A22 means in both the x and y directions the stiffness is same for

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the laminate in the under in plane loading also the relation between A66 and A11 and A12 follow
that for isotropic materials and hence it shown isotropic behavior under in-plane loading and hence
the name quasi-isotropic.
Now since [A] does not depend on stacking sequence, rather it is only
decide by the number of layers, their properties and the thickness and
not by how they are stacked. Therefore if [0/60/−60] is quasi isotropic
then we can write [0/−60/60] is also quasi-isotropic. Going by the same
logic [0/45/90/−45] and [0/+45/−45/90] does not have any difference as
far as the [A] is concerned and both are quasi isotropic .
A quasi-isotropic laminate could also be symmetric, like [0/±45/ 90]S. So, in this case in addition
to [A] behaving as an isotropic, also [B] = 0.
In [0/±45/ 90], 0˚ and 90˚ as usual provide stiffness in the longitudinal and transverse direction
and presence of ±45˚ actually provides the shear stiffness. Therefore, it has both longitudinal
transverse and shear stiffness at the same time under in plane load, it behaves isotropically.

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