Structural Analysis of CFRP Layered Laminate under Bi-Axial Loading

Due Due to extensive use of Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Polymer (CFRP) composite in various application such as aerospace, defence, automobile, sports etc. there is a challenge before the industry to deliver the best quality product. To improve the quality of the product there is a need for analysis to ensure the safety and dimensional stability during its application. The experimental approach can be used to ensure quality of product which requires huge amount of time and cost. To avoid this, as an alternative options analytical and numerical approach can be used for conducting analysis. In this paper, static structural analysis of the layered un-symmetric composite laminate under normal loads has been performed. Stresses and strains in every layer of the laminate has been calculated using analytical and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models. For obtaining analytical results a MATLAB program is developed for ease of calculation of stresses and strains for any number of layers in the laminate. The MATLAB program is based on Classical Lamination Theory (CLT). FEA is performed using ANSYS APDL. The results obtained from FEA and analytical are compared and both the results are found in good agreement. The maximum difference is 0.37% at 45o layer in maximum shear stress in xy-plane.