Abstract: | Relations are obtained for the effective moduli of elasticity and Poisson's ratios of a laminated fiber-reinforced composite, each layer of which has at least orthorhombic symmetry. The elastic properties of the composite in terms of the elastic constants of the layer are expressed exactly, and the elastic constants of the individual layer in terms of the values for the fiber and the matrix are expressed approximately. Two approximations are considered: one corresponds to the Hashin-Shtrikman variational approach, while in the second the comparison material is assigned elastic properties equal to the Voigt or Reuss means of the values for each layer. A numerical example is worked for the combination boron fibers-epoxy resin. The results of the calculation are compared with the exact solution of the problem for a composite composed of alternating layers of boron and epoxy resin. |