Effect of stacking sequence on thermal stresses in laminated plates with a quasi-square cutout using the complex variable method

Abstract

In this research, the influence of the laminate stacking sequence on thermal stress distribution in symmetric composite plates with a quasi-square cutout subjected to uniform heat flux is examined analytically using the complex variable technique. The analytical solution is obtained based on the thermo-elastic theory and the Lekhnitskii's method. Furthermore, by employing a suitable mapping function, the solution of symmetric laminates containing a circular cutout is extended to the quasi-square cutout. The effect of important parameters including the stacking sequence of laminates, the angular position, the bluntness, the aspect ratio of cutout, the flux angle and the composite material are examined on the thermal stress distribution. It is found out that the circular shape for cutout may not necessarily be the optimum geometry for all stacking sequences. The finite element analysis results are used to validate the analytical solution.