A GENERAL-METHOD FOR DATA AVERAGING OF ANISOTROPIC ELASTIC-CONSTANTS

Redundant experimental data are usually required to determine the best value for the whole set of compliances of an anisotropic laminate. A method is presented here to optimize the compliance tensor values usin g the five invariants of fourth-rank compliance tensors. A vectorial r epresentation of those invariants is given. It provides a compact pres entation of the data and reveals the experimental scatter. Experimenta l data obtained with bending tests on plates are used as an example to optimize the flexural compliance tensor of a laminate and to show the relevance of the method in practice.