Nonlinear analysis of initally prestressed laminates

by

M. Sejnoha and K. Matous

Abstract

A simple multilayered plate element combined with a micromechanical analysis of fibrous composite materials is used to investigate an effect of the initial fiber prestress on both the local and overall response of the laminate. A robust optimization procedure based on evolution strategies is implemented to provide for an optimal fiber prestress. A ductile graphite-aluminum composite system is examined to explore effects of matrix yielding on the proposed optimization technique. The numerical results show that the initial fiber prestress reduces local stress fields found in the matrix. Such an observation suggests that an effective exploitation of the high fiber tensile strength may provide a substantial increase of the load bearing capacity of laminates.
Last modified: Nov 4 2000