ABOUT THE MODELING OF LAMINATED COMPOSITES

Plane loaded laminated composites are modelled as a membrane, using th e laminated plate theory, or as a layered three-dimensional body. This paper tries to find the assumption of the laminated plate theory whic h is responsible for most of the free edge errors. This is achieved by imposing each of the assumptions of the laminated plate theory separa tely on a three-dimensional model of a simple problem. To analyse that model, a two-dimensional method, which is suitable for this class of problem, is presented. Based on the findings, a new modelling techniqu e for symmetrical laminated membranes is suggested.