BUCKLING ANALYSIS OF LOCALLY DELAMINATED SYMMETRICAL LAMINATES SUBJECTED TO NON-CONSERVATIVE FORCES

In this paper, the variational equation of the composite rectangular laminate plates subjected to uniformly distributed follower forces is deduced based on the variational principle of quasi-natural frequency of the elastic non-conservative system. The basic equations of finite element and the characteristic equations for critical loadings and natural frequency are obtained. The critical loadings are computed for composite rectangular plates bearing follower forces with various boundary conditions and aspect ratios. The influences of angle-ply directions on the critical loadings are analyzed. It is concluded that boundary conditions have varying effect on the critical loadings while there is delamination damage in composite laminated plates. The angle-ply directions of composite laminate plates have significant influence on buckling loadings.