Stability optimization of laminated composite plates

The optimum design of plates with orthotropic layers under axial compression and shear is discussed. The plates considered are the laminates of N orthotropic layers whose principal material axes coincide with the plate axes. Each layer is assumed to have the same thickness and an equal number of fibers in the direction of + alpha sub i and - alpha sub i with respect to the plate axis. The fiber directions which give the highest axial buckling stress and the highest shear buckling stress are found by utilizing a mathematical optimization technique for various aspect ratios of the plates. Inhomogeneity in the direction of the plate thickness (stacking sequence) is taken into account in this analysis.