Influence of different factors on the stiffness and strength of multilayer composite elements

In the paper, the bending stiffness and strength of multilayer structural elements in relation to the mechanical properties of layers and their number layout and sizes are investigated and the corresponding correlations are established. It is found that the most rational structure of a multilayer element in bending is a symmetric three-layer structure formed from two materials with the thickness of the core less than the half-thickness of the element. The values of normal stresses in the layers of a multilayer beam in bending depends on its bending stiffness and the position of layers relative to the neutral axis. The influence of the number of layers on the stiffness of the structural element and on the magnitude of normal stresses is insignificant.