WAQAR ALI

MS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF LAHORE
SUBJECT:-TO DETERMINE THE VALUE OF STIFFNESS MATRIX WITH THE HELP OF
AN EXAMPLE (ASSIGNMENT NO 3)
Determine the elements in the stiffness matrix for an angle-ply lamina containing
60 vol % of T-300 carbon fibers in an epoxy matrix. Consider fiber orientation
angles of both 45 and - 45 for the fiber, Ef = 220 GPa and Vf = 0.2, and for the
matrix, Em = 3.6 GPa and Vm = 0.35
SOLUTION

Step 1: Calculate E11, E22, V12, V21, and G12 using Equations below.
E11 = (220)(0.6) + (3.6)(1- 0.6) = 133.44 GPa,
E22 =(220)(3.6)/ (220)(1-0.6) + (3.6)(0.6) = 8.78 GPa,
V12 = (0.2)(0.6) + (0.35)(1-0.6) = 0.26,
V21 = 8.78/ 133.44 (0.26) = 0.017

To calculate G12, we need to know the values of Gf and Gm. Assuming isotropic
relationships, we estimate
Gf = Ef /2(1 + Vf) = 220/ 2(1 + 0.2) = 91.7 GPa,
Gm= Em/2(1+ Vm) = 3.6/ 2(1+ 0.35) = 1.33 GPa
Therefore.
G12 = (91.7) (1.33)/ (91.7) (1-0.6) + (1.33) (0.6) = 3.254 GPa
Note that the T-300 carbon fiber is not isotropic, and therefore, the calculation of
Gf based on the isotropic assumption will certainly introduce error. Since the
actual value of Gf is not always available, the isotropic assumption is often made
to calculate Gf.

Step 2: Calculate Q11, Q22, Q12, Q21, and Q66 using Equation below.
Q11
Q22
Q12
Q66

=
=
=
=

133.44/ 1- (0.26)(0.017) = 134.03 GPa,

8.78/ 1-(0.26)(0.017) = 8.82 GPa,
Q21 = (0.26)(8.78) / 1-(0.26)(0.017) = 2.29 GPa,
3.254 GPa:

Step 3: Calculate U1, U2, U3, U4, and U5 using Equation below
U1
U2
U3
U4
U5

=1/8 [(3)(134.03) = (3)(8.82) = (2)(2.29) + (4)(3.254)] = 55.77 GPa,

=1/ 2 (134.03- 8.82) = 62.6 GPa,
=1/ 8 [134.03 + 8.82-(2)(2.29) -(4)(3.254)] = 15.66 GPa,
=1/ 8 [134.03 + 8.82 + (6)(2.29) - (4)(3.259)] = 17.95 GPa,
=1/ 2 (55.77- 17:95) = 18.91 GPa

Step 4: Calculate Q11, Q22, Q12, Q16, Q26, and Q66 using Equations below.
For a = 45 lamina,
Q11 = 55.77 + (62.6) cos 90 + (15.66) cos 180 = 40.11 GPa,
Q22 = 55.77 + (62.6) cos 90 + (15.66) cos 180 = 40.11 GPa,
Q12 = 17.95 -(15.66) cos 180 = 33.61 GPa,

Q66 = 18:91 - (15.66) cos 180 = 34.57 GPa,

Q16 = 1/2 (62.6) sin 90 + (15.66) sin 180 = 31.3 GPa
Q26 = 1/2 (62.6) sin 90 - (15.66) sin 180 = 31.3 GPa
Similarly, for a = -45 lamina
Q11
Q22
Q12
Q66
Q16
Q26

=
=
=
=
=
=

40.11
40.11
33.61
34.57
31.3
31.3

GPa,
GPa,
GPa,
GPa,
GPa,
GPa

In the Matrix form,

40.11 33.61 31.3
[Q] 45 =
33.61 40.11 31.3
31.3
31.3
34.57

[Q]-45 =

40.11 33.61 31.3

33.61 40.11 31.3
31.3
31.3 34.57

GPa

GPa