Free-edge interlaminar stress analysis of piezo-bonded composite laminates under symmetric electric excitation

Abstract

A stress function-based approach is proposed to analyze the free-edge interlaminar stresses of piezo-bonded symmetric laminates. The proposed method satisfies the traction free boundary conditions, as well as surface free conditions. The symmetric laminated structure was excited under electric fields that can generate induced strain, resulting in pure extension in the laminated plate. The governing equations were obtained by taking the principle of complementary virtual work. To verify the proposed method, cross-ply, angle-ply and quasi-isotropic laminates were analyzed. The stress concentrations predicted by the present method were compared with those analyzed by the finite element method. The results show that the stress function-based analysis of piezo-bonded laminated composite structures is an efficient and accurate method for the initial design stage of piezo-bonded composite structures. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.