Buckling behavior of laminated composite plates

In this study, the influence of boundary conditions on the buckling load for rectangular plates of various cutout shape, length/thickness ratio, and ply orientation is examined. Boundary conditions consisting of clamped, pinned, and their combinations are considered. Numerical and experimental studies are conducted to investigate the effect of boundary conditions, cutout shape, length/thickness ratio, and ply orientation on the buckling behavior of E-glass/epoxy composite plates under in-plane compression load. Buckling analysis of the laminated composites is performed by using finite element analysis software ANSYS. Tests have been carried out on laminated composites with circular and semicircular cutouts under various boundary conditions. Comparisons are made between the test results and predictions based on finite element analysis. The results show a complex interaction between plate orthotropy and boundary conditions.