Shear deformation effects on thermal buckling of cross-ply composite laminates

Thermal buckling of symmetric and antisymmetric cross-ply composite laminates is investigated. The first order shear deformation theory in conjunction with the Rayleigh-Ritz method is used for the evaluation of the thermal buckling parameters of structures made out of kevlar, carbon and glass fibres together with an epoxy matrix. The validity of the present approach is evaluated by comparing the results with those of other investigators. Finally, a parametric study for several types of laminates is given for different boundary conditions and changing the values of various parameters such as lay-up sequences, slenderness ratios and transverse shear moduli. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.