Effect of hygrothermal environment on the bending of PMC laminates under large deflection

The effects of hygrothermal conditions on the large-deflection behavior of fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite (PMC) laminates are studied. Cylindrical bending of laminates under in-plane and transverse loadings is analyzed using the von Karman plate theory. A cross-plied symmetric laminate is chosen as an example. The results presented show the effects of expansional strains due to moisture. Results of a similar nature are also expected under thermally induced expansion strains. The formulation is quite general, as it can be used for the hygrothermo-mechanical loading of PMCs, as well as for the thermo-mechanical loading of MMCs, and fiber and matrix properties may be considered to be transversely isotropic. (Author)