Free edge stress analysis of general cross-ply composite laminates under extension and thermal loading

An elasticity formulation for finite general cross-ply (symmetric and unsymmetric) laminates subjected to extension and/or a layerwise temperature distribution is developed. It is shown that the edge-effect problem of such laminates is actually a quasi-three-dimensional problem and its stress analysis can be restricted to a generic two-dimensional cross-section of the laminates. A layerwise theory is used to investigate analytically the interlaminar stresses near the free edges of general cross-ply composite laminates. The results obtained from this theory are compared with those available in the literature. It is found that the theory can predict very accurately the stresses in the interior region and near the free edges of composite laminates.