The "local model", a stress based theory in which each layer of a laminate is considered to be a homogeneous plate, is applied to the free edge stress analysis of a bidirectional laminate subjected to pure bending. Residual thermal stresses due to processing are also considered in the analysis. Numerical results illustrate a fundamental difference between the free edge problem in bending versus the classical free edge problem under uniaxial extensional loading. Significant effects of residual stresses as well, as width-to-thickness ratio, are illustrated for plate aspect ratios ranging from a plate to a beam.
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