Free-edge stresses in general composite laminates

In the present study, by starting from the reduced form of elasticity displacement field for a long flat laminate, an analytical method is developed in order to accurately calculate the interlaminar stresses near the free edges of generally laminated composite plates under extension. The constant parameter appearing in the reduced displacement field, which describes the global rotational deformation of a laminate, is appropriately obtained by employing an improved first-order shear deformation theory. The accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed first-order theory are verified by means of comparison with the results of Reddy's layerwise theory as a three-dimensional benchmark. Reddy's layerwise theory is then utilized for analytical and numerical investigations of the boundary-layer stresses within arbitrarily laminated composite plates. Various numerical examples are presented for the interlaminar normal and shear stresses along the interfaces and through the thickness of laminates in the vicinity of the free edges. The effects of end conditions of laminates, fibers orientation angles as well as the stacking sequences of the layers within laminates, and geometric parameters on the boundary-layer stresses are presented and discussed.