Free-edge effect in cross-ply laminated plates under a uniform extension

Based on the basic equations of elasticity, free-edge effects on stresses in cross-ply laminated plates are found by using the state space method. The laminates are subjected to uniaxial-uniform extension plate, which is a typical example of general plane strain problem. The study takes into account material constants of all individual material layers and the state equation of a laminate is solved analytically in the through thickness direction. By this approach, a composite plate may be composed of an arbitrary number of orthotropic layers, each of which may have different material properties and thickness. The solution provides a continuous displacement and inter-laminar stress fields across all material interfaces and an approxiamte prediction to the singularity of stresses occurring in the boundary layer region of a free-edge. Numerical solutions are obtained and compared with the results obtained from an alternative numerical method.