ME 5522

Advanced Analysis of Composite Materials and

Structures

Dianyun Zhang
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Connecticut, Storrs

Part of the notes are taken are from the lecture notes for AE 516, Mechanics of
Fibrous Composites, by Prof. Anthony Waas at the University of Michigan, and A&AE
555, Mechanics of Composite Materials and Laminates, by Prof. C. T. Sun at Purdue
University. All Rights Reserved.
 CHAPTER I

Elasticity of Anisotropic Materials

One of the most unique behavior of composite materials is their anisotropy. Since
the constituent fiber is significantly sti↵er than the matrix (for a carbon fiber-reinforced
polymer matrix composite, the di↵erence is typically a factor of 100), the composite shows
a higher modulus in the fiber direction compared to the directions transverse to the fiber.
That is to say, the proprieties of a composite are dependent on the direction. Thus, we
need a general description of the stress–strain relation of an anisotropic material, which
is called the Generalized Hooke’s Law.

1.1 Generalized Hooke’s Law

The most general stress–strain relation of an anisotropic material in a rectangular

Cartesian coordinate system can be written as,
8 9 2 38 9
>
> 1>
> C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 > > "1 >>
>
> >> 6 7>> >
>
>
> > > >
>
> 2>>
>
6C21
6 C22 C23 C24 C25 C26 7
7>
>
> "
> > 2 >
>
>
< >
= 6C >
3 6 31 C32 C33 C34 C35 C36 7 "3 =
7 <
=6 7 (1.1)
> 4> 6 C46 7 > "4 >
>
>
> > 6C41
>
>
C42 C43 C44 C45 7>>
>
>
>
>
>
> > 6C 7 > >
>
> 5>>
> 4 51 C52 C53 C54 C55 >
C56 5 >
> " 5 >
>
>
>
: >
; >
: >
6 C61 C62 C63 C64 C65 C66 "6 ;

where a contract notation is used as opposed to the tensor notation. The components of
the stress and strain tensors are ordered as,

1
 Tensor Contracted
11 , "11 1 , "1

22 , "22 2 , "2

33 , "33 3 , "3

23 , 23 4 , "4

31 , 31 5 , "5

12 , 12 6 , "6

Equation (1.1) indicates that 36 coefficients (or constants) are required to define the
material stress–strain relationship. If the determinant of Cij is non-vanishing, i.e., |Cij |6=
0, we can invert Eq. (1.1) to express the strains in terms of stresses as,
8 9 2 38 9
>
> "1 >> S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 > > 1>
>
>
> >
> 6 7>> >
>
>
> "2 >> 6S21 S26 7 >
7 > >
>
> >
> 6 S22 S23 S24 S25 >
> 2>
>
>
> >
< " = 6S > >
3 6 31 S32 S33 S34 S35 S36 7 <
7
3
=
=6 7 (1.2)
>
> "4 >> 6S41 S42 S43 S44 S45 S46 7 > 4>
>
> >
> 6 7>>
>
>
> >
>
> >
> 6S S56 7 > >
>
> " 5>> 4 51 S52 S53 S54 S55 5>>
> 5>
>
>
>
:" > ; >
: >
;
6 S61 S62 S63 S64 S65 S 66 6

The elements of Cij are called elastic constants, and Sij ’s are compliance coeffi-
cients. The number of independent constants, Sij or Cij , which is 36, can be reduced
by appealing to the definition and existence of a strain energy density and further reduced
in special cases of material property symmetry.
Denote the strain energy density by W . By definition,

@W @W @W
1 = , 2 = , ......, 6 = (1.3)
@"1 @"2 @"6

If we di↵erentiate Eq. (1.3) with respect to strain components and assume W to be twice
continuously di↵erentiable, for example,

@ 1 @ 2W @ 2 @ 2W
= and = (1.4)
@"2 @"1 @"2 @"1 @"1 @"2

Thus,
@ 1 @ 2 @ 1 @ 6
= , ... = , ... (1.5)
@"2 @"1 @"6 @"1

2
From Eq. (1.1),

1 = C11 "1 + C12 "2 + C13 "3 + C14 "4 + C15 "5 + C16 "6
2 = C21 "1 + C22 "2 + C23 "3 + C24 "4 + C25 "5 + C26 "6
(1.6)
......
6 = C61 "1 + C62 "2 + C63 "3 + C64 "4 + C65 "5 + C66 "6

Substituting Eq. (1.6) into Eq. (1.5) gives,

@ 1 @ 2
= C12 and = C21 =) C12 = C21
@"2 @"1
......
@ 1 @ 6
= C16 and = C61 =) C16 = C61
@"6 @"1

Therefore, in general,

Cij = Cji (i, j = 1, 2, ..., 6) (1.7)

Since Sij is the inverse of Cij , it follows,

Sij = Sji (i, j = 1, 2, ..., 6) (1.8)

Thus, by considering the strain energy density function, Cij and Sij should be symmet-
ric, and the number of independent constants is reduced from 36 to 21. The generalized
Hooke’s law can be written as,

{"} = [S]{ } or { } = [C]{"} (1.9)

The strain energy density function becomes,

1
W = ( 1 "1 + 2 "2 + 3 "3 + 4 "4 + 5 "5 + 6 "6 ) (1.10)
2

1.2 Material Symmetries

If the internal composition of a material possesses symmetry of any kind, then sym-
metry can be observed in its constitutive relations and elastic properties. The presence

3
of symmetry further reduces the number of independent elastic constants.

1.2.1 Monoclinic material

In Figure 1.1, if the 1–2 plane is a plane of symmetry at every material, all constants
associated with the positive “3” axis must be the same as those with the negative “3”
axis. Then the stress–strain relation simplifies to,
8 9 2 38 9
>
> 11 >
> C11 C12 C13 0 0 C16 > >"11 > >
>
> >
> 6 7>> >
>
>
> > > >
>
> 22 >
>
>
6C12
6 C22 C23 0 0 7 >
C26 7 >
> " 22 >
>
>
>
< >
= 6C > >
33 6 13 C23 C33 0 0 C36 7 "33 =
7 <
=6 7 (1.11)
>
> >
23 > 6 0 0 0 C44 C45 0 7 > 23 >
>
> >
> 6 7>>
>
>
>
>
>
> >
> 6 0 7
0 5> > >
>
> 13 >
> 4 0 0 C45 C55 > 13 >
> >
>
>
: >
; >
: >
;
12 C16 C26 C36 0 0 C 66 12

The number of independent constant is reduced to 13.

Figure 1.1: Illustration of a 1–2–3 coordinate system.

1.2.2 Orthotropic material

If the material possesses more than one plane of symmetry (say 1–2 and 2–3), then
at every point, symmetry will exist relative to a third mutually orthogonal plane. Thus,
when all three planes, 1–2, 2–3 and 3–1 are planes of material symmetry, then,
8 9 2 38 9
>
> 11 >
> C11 C12 C13 0 0 0 > >"11 > >
>
> >
> 6 7>> >
>
>
> > > >
>
> 22 >
>
>
6C12 C22 C23 0
6 0 0 7
7>
>
> " 22 >
>
>
>
< >
= 6C 7 >
< >
=
33 6 13 C 23 C 33 0 0 0 7 " 33
=6 7 (1.12)
>
> 23 >
> 6 0 0 0 C44 0 0 7 > 23 >
>
> >
> 6 7>>
>
>
>
>
>
> >
> 6 0 0 0 0 C 0 7 >
> >
>
>
> 13 >
> 4 55 5 >
> 13 >
>
>
: >
; >
: >
;
12 0 0 0 0 0 C66 12

4
 The number of independent constant is reduced to 9. In addition, the extension and
shear responses are uncoupled.
Most simple laboratory tests are performed with a known load state (thus stress),
that is obtained under conditions of specified displacements on one (or two) edge. Thus,
it is much simpler to obtain the compliances Sij than the elastic constants Cij . In terms
of engineering moduli, i.e. Youngs moduli and Poissons ratios, an orthotropic material
is described as,
8 9 2 38 9
>
>"11 >>
1 ⌫21 ⌫31
0 0 0 >
> 11 >
>
>
> >
> 6 E1 E2 E3
7>> >
>
>
> "22 >
> 6 ⌫E12 7>> >
22 >
1 ⌫32
>
> >
> 6 1 E2 E3
0 0 0 7>> >
>
>
<" > = 6 ⌫13 ⌫23 1 7>< >
=
33 6 0 0 0 7 33
= 6 E1 E2 E3
7 (1.13)
>
> 23 >
> 6 0 0 0 1
0 0 7> 23 >
>
> >
> 6 G23 7>> >
>
>
> 13 >> 6 7>> >
>
5> 13 >
1
>
>
> > 4 0
> 0 0 0 G13
0 >
> >
>
: > ; 0 0 0 0 0 1
>
: >
;
12 G12 12

Due to the symmetry property of the compliance matrix, the following reciprocal relation
is obtained,
⌫ij ⌫ji
= (i, j = 1, 2, 3) (1.14)
Ei Ej
Note that ⌫ij is the Poisson’s ratio for transverse strain in the ‘j’ direction when stressed
in the ‘i’ direction, i.e.,
"j
⌫ij = (1.15)
"i
By comparing Eqs. (1.13) and (1.2), it is evident that the engineering moduli can be
expressed in terms of the compliances as,

1 1 1
E1 = E2 = E3 =
S11 S22 S33
S21 S31 S32
⌫12 = ⌫13 = ⌫23 = (1.16)
S11 S11 S22
1 1 1
G23 = G13 = G12 =
S44 S55 S66

1.2.3 Transversely isotropic material

If one of the orthotropic planes of symmetry is also a plane of isotropy, that is, the
material properties are independent of direction only on that plane at every material
point, then we obtain a transversely isotropic material. A unidirectional composite
is an example of transversely isotropic materials, as shown in Figure 1.2. Suppose that
the 2–3 plane is the special plane of isotropy, then the subscripts “2” and “3” in the

5
elastic constants are interchangeable. Thus, the stress-strain relation becomes,
8 9 2 38 9
>
> 11 >
> C11 C12 C12 0 0 0 > >"11 > >
>
> >
> 6 7>> >
>
>
> > > >
>
> 22 >
>
>
6C12 C22 C23
6 0 0 7
0 7> >
> " 22 >
>
>
>
< >
= 6C > >
33 6 12 C23 C22 0 0 0 7 "33 =
7 <
=6 7 (1.17)
>
> 23 >
> 6 0 0 0 1
(C C ) 0 0 7> 23 >
>
> >
> 6 2 22 23 7>>
>
>
>
>
>
> > 6 7 > >
>
> 13 >
>
> 4 0 0 0 0 C66 0 5 >>
> 13 >
>
>
>
: >
; >
: >
;
12 0 0 0 0 0 C66 12

The number of independent constant is reduced to 5

Figure 1.2: Illustration of a unidirectional composite, which is a transversely isotropic

material. The 2–3 plane is a plane of isotropy.

In terms of the engineering moduli, the stress-strain relation of a transversely isotropic

material can be written in the compliance form as,
8 9 2 38 9
>
> "11 >
>
1 ⌫12 ⌫12
0 0 0 >
> 11 >
>
>
> > E1
> 6 ⌫12 E1 E1
7>> >
>
>
> "22 >
> 6 E 7>> >
22 >
1 ⌫23
>
> >
> 6 1 E2 E2
0 0 0 7>> >
>
> >
<" = 6 ⌫12 ⌫23 1 7>< >
=
33 6 0 0 0 7 33
= 6 E1 E2 E2
7 (1.18)
>
> >
23 > 6 0 0 0 1
0 0 7> 23 >
>
> >
> 6 G23 7>> >
>
>
> >
> 6 0 7>> >
>
5> 13 >
1
>
> 13 >
> 4 0 0 0 G12
0 >
> >
>
>
: > ; 1
>
: >
;
12 0 0 0 0 0 G12 12

E2
where the 2–3 plane is a plane of isotropic with G23 = 2(1+⌫23 )
.

6
1.2.4 Isotropic material

Finally, if there are an infinite number of planes of material property symmetry, then
we obtain an isotropic material with only 2 independent constants as,
8 9 2 38 9
>
> 11 >
> C11 C12 C12 0 0 0 >
>"11 > >
>
> >
> 6 7>> > >
>
> > 7> >
>
> 22 >
>
>
6C12 C11 C12
6 0 0 0 7>
>
> " 22 >
>
>
>
< >
= 6C 7 <" >
> =
33 6 12 C12 C11 0 0 0 7 33
=6 7 (1.19)
>
> 23 >
> 6 0 0 0 1
(C11 C12 ) 0 0 7>> 23 >
>
>
> >
> 6 2 7> >
>
> > 6
> 4 0 0 0 0 1
(C11 C12 ) 0 7>>
>
>
>
>
>
> 13 >
> 2 5> >
> 13 >
>
: >
; 1
>
: > ;
12 0 0 0 0 0 2
(C11 C12 ) 12

In terms of the engineering moduli, the stress–strain relation of an isotropic material

can be written in the compliance form as,
8 9 2 38 9
>
> "11 >>
1 ⌫ ⌫
0 0 0 > > 11 >
>
>
> >
> 6 E E E
7>> > >
>
> >
> 6 07 >
> >
22 >
⌫ 1 ⌫
>
> " 22 >
> 6 E E E
0 0 7>> >
>
>
<" > = 6 > >
33 6 E
⌫
E
⌫ 1
E
0 0 077
<
33
=
=6 7 (1.20)
>
> 23 >
> 6 0 0 0 1
0 07 > 23 >
>
> >
> 6 G 7>>
>
>
> >
>
> > 6 0 07 > >
13 > 5> 13 >
1
>
> >
> 4 0 0 0 G >
> >
>
>
: >
; 1
>
: >
;
12 0 0 0 0 0 G 12

E
with G = 2(1+⌫)
.

1.3 2D Stress and Strain Transformation

The constitutive relations defined in the principal material coordinates (the 1–2 co-
ordinates) may not coincide with the coordinate system that is used in stress analyses
(the x–y coordinates), as illustrated in Figure 1.3.
The stresses and strains in the two sets of coordinate systems are related through
transformation matrices. The stresses in an x–y coordinate system can be expressed in
a 1–2 coordinate system through transformation matrix [T ] as,
8 9 8 9
>
< 11 >
= h i>
< xx >
=
22 = T yy (1.21)
>
: >
; >
: >
;
12 xy

7
 Figure 1.3: Illustration of the x–y and 1–2 coordinate systems.

where 2 3
h i cos2 ✓ sin2 ✓ 2 sin ✓ cos ✓
6 7
T = 4 sin2 ✓ cos2 ✓ 2 sin ✓ cos ✓ 5 (1.22)
sin ✓ cos ✓ sin ✓ cos ✓ cos2 ✓ sin2 ✓
where ✓ is the angle from the x-axis to the 1-axis (see Figure 1.3). Similarly, the strain
transformation follows, 8 9 8 9
>
<"11 >= h i> <"xx >=
"22 = T" "yy (1.23)
>
: > ; >
: > ;
12 xy

where 2 3
2 2
h i cos ✓ sin ✓ sin ✓ cos ✓
6 7
T" = 4 sin2 ✓ cos2 ✓ sin ✓ cos ✓ 5 (1.24)
2 sin ✓ cos ✓ 2 sin ✓ cos ✓ cos2 ✓ sin2 ✓
Note that,
1
[T ] = [T" ]T [T" ] 1
= [T ]T (1.25)

1.4 Basic Equations of Linear Elastostatics

The goal of the linear elastostatics problem is to find displacements, strains, and
stresses. There are 15 unknowns including,

3 displacements: u, v, w (ui )
6 strains: "xx , "yy , "zz , yz , xz , xy ("ij )
6 stresses: xx , yy , zz , yz , xz , xy ( ij )

8
 1. Equations of equilibrium (3 equations)

@ xx @ xy @ xz
+ + + fx = 0
@x @y @z
@ xy @ yy @ yz
+ + + fy = 0 (1.26)
@x @y @z
@ xz @ yz @ zz
+ + + fx = 0
@x @y @z

2. Strain–displacement relations (6 equations)

@u @u @v
"xx = xy = +
@x @y @x
@v @w @u
"yy = xz = + (1.27)
@y @x @z
@w @v @w
"zz = yz = +
@z @z @y

3. Stress–strain relations (6 equations)

{ } = [C]{"} (1.28)

Notice we have 15 equations and 15 unknowns subject to one of the following

boundary conditions:

(a) displacements are specified; or

(b) traction is specified; or

(c) part of the boundary has displacements specified and the other part has traction
specified.