Generic thermal buckling of initially stressed antisymmetric cross-ply thick laminates

Abstract

Equations of motion for antisymmetric cross-ply laminates with thermal effects in a general state of non-uniform initial stress, where the effects of transverse shear and rotary inertia are included, are derived by the Virtual Work theorem. The equations are adjusted to a generic expression by using appropriate transformations. Finally, the thermal stability problems are solved for a simply-supported rectangular laminate in a state of uniform compressive (or tensile) initial stress plus initial bending stress combined with uniform thermal compressive stress plus thermal bending stress. The effects of various parameters on thermal buckling loads are studied.