Stroh-like formalism for the coupled stretching–bending analysis of composite laminates

Due to the two-dimensional nature of thin plates, the lamination theory considering the composite laminates with in-plane and plate bending problems coupling each other is treated in this paper by using complex variable formulation. By following the steps of Stroh formalism for two-dimensional linear anisotropic elasticity, a displacement complex variable formalism developed by the other researchers was introduced and re-derived in a different but more Stroh-like way. In addition, a brand-new mixed formalism (mixed use of displacements and stresses as basic functions) is established to compensate the displacement formalism. In order to transfer all the related formulae and mathematical techniques of the Stroh formalism to these two formalisms, the general solutions for the basic equations of lamination theory and their associated eigenrelations have been purposely arranged in the form of Stroh formalism. Moreover, by using the presently developed mixed formalism, the explicit expressions for the fundamental matrix and eigenvectors are obtained first time for the most general composite laminates. Furthermore, letting the coupling stiffness vanish, the formalism has been reduced to the case of symmetric laminates and checked by a recently developed Stroh-like formalism for the plate bending problems. The comparison between Stroh formalism for two-dimensional problem, Stroh-like formalism for plate bending problem, displacement formalism and mixed formalism is then made at the end of this paper, and through their connection some useful relations are obtained.