Stability analysis of inhomogeneous, fibrous composite plates (Q1210599)

The paper deals with the optimization of the internal distribution of fibres for an inhomogeneous fibrous composite rectangular plate subjected to uniaxial and shear forces. The study involves different combination of simple and clamped edges. Two aspects are studied, the stress distribution and the buckling analysis. A more practical way of designing of this type of plates is suggested, showing that for a given constant volume of fibres, a higher fibre concentration on the middle surface of the plate would increase the buckling load by 25\% comparing with the uniform distribution of the same amount of fibres.