Stress Wave Propagation in Hybrid Composite Materials

In this report, the dynamic-response, in particular, the interlaminar shear stress, in three-layer symmetrical hybrid composites is studied using the shear lag model. Theoretical solutions for four different types of loading are obtained. Numerical examples are given for the step loading case and the results obtained show good agreement with those determined using the finite element method. The interlaminar shear stress is com posed of static and dynamic parts and the peak interlaminar shear stress, which occurs at the loading end under the step uniform pressure loading, is dominated by the static stress and is dependent on the stiffness ratio between the centre and the outer plies. This agrees with the solution for the infinite length case, see Reference [1].