In this article, an investigation of Young's modulus E, shear modulus G, Po
isson's ratio v and bending rigidity D for a general class of randomly orie
nted composite laminate is presented. A simple random statistical analysis
has been used to demonstrate that the mean values of E, G, v and D in the r
andomly oriented laminate are close to those analytical values obtained fro
m the classical lamination theory. Also, the influences of the various lami
na material properties E-2/E-1, G(12)/E-1 and v(12) to the values of E, G,
v and D of the laminate are investigated. The results from this statistical
analysis provide a set of general guidelines for designing the values of E
, G, v and D of the randomly oriented composite laminates based on the give
n values of the influence factors E-2/E-1, G(12)/E-1 and v(12). (C) 2000 El
sevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.