Chapter 8

Interlaminar Stresses and Strength of Multidirectional

laminates

8.1 Introduction
Plane stress assumption made in classical laminate theory is valid away from
free edge, geometric, and/or material discontinuities. Such discontinuities in
combination with hygorthermal effects cause interlaminar shear and normal
stresses that causes delamination. Three types of interlaminar stress problems
associated with three types of laminates:
1. (±θ) Angle-ply laminates

2. 0/90 Cross-ply laminates

3. Combination of angle and cross ply laminates.

6.1 Interlaminar Stresses in Angle-Ply Laminates

1
2
6.2 Interlaminar Stresses in Crossply Laminates

3
6.3 Interlaminar Stresses in Angle-Ply and Crossply Laminates

4
6.4 Interlaminar Strength
6.4.1 Interlaminar shear test (Short beam shear) (ASTM D2344)

3P
F31 ≅
4bh

2L F1
Note: <
h F31

6.4.2 Double Notched Shear Test (ASTM D3846)

P
F31 ≅
wl

2l F1
Note: <
h F31

6.4.3 Interlaminar Tensile Strength

3PL
σz =
2bhR
R = Mean radius of the circular section.