Reduction of Free-Edge Peeling Stress in Laminated Composites Using Thermal Gradient

摘要

Free-edge peeling stress of composite laminates was analyzed under combined thermo-mechanical loadings. The localized free-edge stresses under extension load were reduced by applying thermal gradient to the interfaces of each lamina. The temperature field was calculated based on the 1D heat transfer equation along the thickness direction of the laminates. At the top and bottom surface, heat convection conditions were considered to determine the temperature field more realistically. To determine the free-edge stress field, efficient stress function-based approach was adopted with generalized plane strain assumption. The results obtained herein are compared to those of a 3D finite element analysis conducted by Nastran. As a result, it can be observed that the free-edge peeling stresses are successfully reduced by applying the global/local temperature input to the composite laminates.