A variational approach for straight edge effect stresses in laminated composites

An analytical technique is presented to calculate thermally and mechanicall y induced edge effect stresses at straight free boundaries of laminated com posites. The involved three-dimensional stress functions, which satisfy equ ilibrium equations, all traction boundary conditions (including traction co ntinuity 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 a nalysis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.