Stress analysis of a postbuckled laminated composite plate

The stress distribution in a symmetrically laminated composite plate subjected to in-plane compression are evaluated using finite element analysis. Six different finite element models are created for the study of stresses in the plate after buckling. Two finite element modelling approaches are adopted to obtain the stress distribution. The first approach starts with a full model of shell elements from which sub-models of solid elements are spin-off The second approach adopts a full model of solid elements at the beginning from which sub-models of solid elements are created. All sub-models have either 1-element thickness or 14-element thickness. Both techniques show high interlaminar direct and shear stresses at the free edges. The study also provides vital information of the distribution of all components of stresses along the unloaded edges in length direction and also in the thickness direction of the plate.