A variational approach for straight edge effect stresses in laminated composites

Abstract

An analytical technique is presented to calculate thermally and mechanically induced edge effect stresses at straight free boundaries of laminated composites. The involved three-dimensional stress functions, which satisfy equilibrium equations, all traction boundary conditions (including traction continuity conditions at interfaces between layers), are determined based on the variational principle of complementary energy. Numerical results of the present technique are in good agreement with those of the finite element analysis.