Overall thermoelastic properties of symmetric laminates containing obliquely crossed matrix cracks

Analytical prediction of effective in-plane thermoelastic properties of [phi(m)/phi(n)]s laminates containing traversing matrix cracks in both phi- and phi-plies is presented within the framework of linear elasticity. Two-dimensional slicar-lag analysis of obliquely crossed cracked laminates under general in-plane loading is briefly summarized, which is based on oblique coordinates along the matrix cracks. Using the analytical solutions, overall thermoelastic properties of the cracked laminates are predicted. Numerical examples of property prediction of angle-ply [-theta/theta]s laminates containing obliquely crossed cracks are presented and the effects of multiple ply matrix crack accumulation on the overall properties are discussed. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd.