Design of antisymmetric hybrid laminates for maximum buckling load: I. Optimal fibre orientation

Abstract Optimal fibre orientations of antisymmetric, angle-ply laminates are determined with the objective of maximizing the buckling load subject to a mass constraint. The laminated plate is constructed as a sandwich-type hybrid structure which has outer layers of high-stiffness material and inner layers of low-stiffness material. The numerical results are given for simply supported plates under biaxial compression. Cost implications and strength properties of hybrid laminates are discussed. Comparative numerical studies of hybrid and non-hybrid optimal laminates of equal mass are presented in graphical form.