Three-dimensional and free-edge hygrothermal stresses in general long sandwich plates

The hygrothermal stresses in sandwich plate with composite faces due to through the thickness gradient temperature and (or) moisture content are investigated. The layer-wise theory is employed for formulation of the problem. The formulation is derived for sandwich plate with general layer stacking, subjected to uniform and non-uniform temperature and moisture content through the thickness of the plate. The governing equations are solved for free edge conditions and 3D stresses are investigated. The out of plane stresses are obtained by equilibrium equations of elasticity and by the constitutive law and the results for especial case are compared with the predictions of a 3D finite element solution in order to study the accuracy of results. The three-dimensional stresses especially the free edge effect on the distribution of the stresses is studied in various sandwich plates and the effect of uniform and non-uniform thermal and hygroscopic loading is investigated.