Numerical and experimental study of large deflection of symmetrically laminated composite plates in compression

The stability behaivour of symmetrically laminated rectangular composite plates with loaded ends clamped and unloaded edges simply-supported, and subjected to uniform in-plane compression is investigated. A numerical and experimental investigation is presented in this contribution. The stacking sequence of the laminated glass/epoxy composite plates is symmetric about the middle surface and consists of 8-ply [0, 90, +45, -45]s lamination. Numerical predictions were obtained through the use of the finite element method. The above plates were modeled with 8-noded isoparametric layered shell elements. The effect of the input parameters such as the degree and forms of prescribed initial imperfection and the incremental step size required for incremental loading, on the convergence of the solution is thoroughly examined. Experimental results are presented for 10 test panels. All test panels were made from glass/epoxy unidirectional pregregs and have aspect ratio of 5.088. The laminate thicknesses were found to vary from 1.054 mm to 1.066 mm. Comparison of experimental data with predicted results show good correlation and give confidence in the finite element model.