Stress distribution in multilayered composites near loaded edges

The edge effect in layered composite material is studied using the piecewise-homogeneous body model and the exact equations of the theory of elasticity. It is assumed that continuously distributed normal forces act at the edges of the reinforcing layers. A plain strain state is considered and the stresses are expressed in terms of the solutions of a system of dual singular integral equations. The singularity of the stresses is determined by the solution procedure. The concentration of the reinforcing layers is assumed low and the interaction between them is not taken into account. A numerical algorithm is developed and numerical results on the stress distribution are presented Published in Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 134–144, April 2008.