Thermal Stress Analysis of Composite Laminates using Trigonometric Shear Deformation Theory and Finite Element Method

Abstract

Laminated composite materials offer a versatile design approach for achieving the desired levels of stiffness and strength by selecting specific lamination schemes. The Trigonometric Shear Deformation Theory (TrSDT) effectively addresses the appropriate distribution of transverse shear strains throughout the plate thickness while maintaining stress-free boundary conditions on the plate's top surfaces. Consequently, there is no need for a shear correction factor.

In this research paper, we use the Trigonometric Shear Deformation Theory (TrSDT) that takes into account the influence of transverse shear deformation. The in-plane displacement field incorporates a sinusoidal function with respect to the thickness coordinate to accommodate the effects of shear deformation. Theories that involve trigonometric functions based on the thickness coordinate in the displacement fields are collectively referred to as Trigonometric Shear Deformation Theories (TrSDTs).

In the present study, we conduct a thermal stress analysis of Laminated Composite Plates using the TrSDT. This theory eliminates the need for shear correction factors and provides a more accurate distribution of interlaminar stresses compared to other methods like CPT and FOST. We assess deflection and stress at various locations and for different aspect ratios under thermal loads using TrSDT. Stress evaluations are carried out analytically, and the results are validated by comparing them with existing findings from the literature.

To further verify our findings, we model a composite laminate under thermal loads using the commercial Finite Element Method tool ABAQUS, and our results are validated against those obtained with the TrSDT for plates with simply supported boundary conditions.