Fully Isotropic Laminates and Quasi-Homogeneous Anisotropic Laminates*

Abstract

This work pertains to the development of the fully isotropic laminates (FIL) and the quasi-homogeneous anisotropic laminates (QHAL). An FIL exhibits con comitant isotropy in the extensional and bending stiffnesses; its macromechanical be havior matches that of a homogeneous isotropic plate. A QHAL is a multidirectional lami nate with identical anisotropy in the extensional and bending stiffnesses, which matches that of a homogeneous anisotropic plate. Because of these characteristics, classical theo ries of homogeneous (isotropic and anisotropic) thin plates are applicable to the macro mechanical analysis of FIL and QHAL, which significantly reduces the laminate design effort.