Abstract
An approximate theoretical analysis, based on CLT principles and the generalized 3D expression of Hooke's law, was performed to correlate the through-thethickness thermal expansion coefficient of a symmetric cross-ply laminate, (0/90), Ls and the transverse Poisson's ratio of the building laminae. The purpose of the theoretical study was to derive a simple relation capable of predicting with sufficient accuracy the transverse Poisson's ratio of a fiber composite lamina in terms of experimentally measured values of thermal expansion coefficients. In the context of the present investigation the thermal expansion behaviour of two carbon fiber reinforced epoxy systems was defined experimentally and application of the proposed method gave predictions for the transverse Poisson's ratio which were found in agreement with published data of similar composite materials. The method introduced herein may constitute (upon further verification) a valid experimental technique for the evaluation of transverse Poisson's ratio of fiber reinforced laminae.
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