a) To minimize the bending/torsion coupling D16 we have

to alternate layers in a way that we have an anti-

symetrical order of fibre direction between the two halfs
of the whole material; this means, that the angles of the
las 4 layers must be the inverse of the ones in the first 4
layers (mantaining the order of these ones).

b) The A matrix is constant because when you apply stress to the entire piece, the
position of the layers affect the behaviour of the B and D couplings (that is
because this couplings take on account the simmetry and position of each layer)
but not A, which just considers the angles of the layers and not the position or
order.

c) The minimum elastic energy (U = 1.65 N/mm)

in the material (with Nxx and Nxy stresses) is
reached by a combination of 0⁰ and 45/-45⁰ so
the 0⁰ layers are correctly orientated to bear
the Nxx stress while the 45/-45⁰ layers are S
supposed to bear the Nxy stress in the
material.

d) In this case, We only have axial/shear

and bending/torsion couplings. The axial
shear coupling appears becuase of the
45⁰ and -45⁰ fibre orientations, that
make the material to shear under axial
stresses; while the bonding/torsion
appears becuase of the lack of
antisimetry in the layups so they don’t
“compensate” the stresses and thats
why D couplings appear. Torsion/extensión doesn’t appear because of the
simmetry of the layups.