Post-buckling behaviour of thermoplastic matrix composite laminates subjected to pure sheer

The present study focuses on the determination of the buckling load and pos t-buckling behaviour of simply supported laminated composite rectangular pa nels loaded in shear. The nonlinear structural response is studied with a n on-linear finite element approach. In order to determine the accuracy of th e procedure, several tests have been performed comparing the finite element solutions for isotropic and laminated composite rectangular panels with ex isting ones, adopting different sequences of lamination and different lengt h to width ratios. The analysis then considers the behaviour of laminates p roduced with innovative thermoplastic matrix composites developed in the fr ame of a national research program. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ ts reserved.