Interlaminar stresses in tapered laminates

Abstract
Tapered laminates of unidirectional layers of glass/epoxy and graphite/epoxy are investigated. These laminates have a thickness variation along their length. This was accomplished by having layers dropped off near the midlength of the laminate. Stress and strain variations were obtained using three‐dimensional finite element models. Calculated values using the finite element method compare well with experimental results for the point of first delamination. This agreement allows the determination of a suitable finite element mesh for subsequent models of other tapered laminates with fiber orientations other than unidirectional.

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