Analysis of the transverse cracking in hybrid cross-ply composite laminates

A modified shear-lag analysis, taking into account the concept of interlaminar shear stress, is employed to evaluate the effect of transverse cracks on the stiffness reductions in different glass/epoxy and graphite/epoxy hybrid cross-ply laminates. The modified shear-lag model is proposed that assumes interlaminar adhesive layer between two neighbouring layers transferring not only interlaminar shear stress but also normal stress. The stress distribution is solved by the used model which rigorously satisfies the stress equilibrium equations, boundary conditions and the traction continuity at interfaces between layers.