ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that laminated plate equations will be modified to include the effect of expansional strains. Solutions to specific boundary value problems will be presented in order to show the effect of expansional strains on the bending, buckling, and free-vibration of laminated plates. The chapter consider the application of energy principles to the analysis of anisotropic laminated plates which include the effect of expansional strains. It also considers the effect of expansional strains on bending under transverse load, buckling, and free vibration of symmetric laminates. A cursory examination reveals that the thermal expansion coefficient relative to the y-axis is positive when the expansion relative to the x-axis is negative and vice-versa. A polymeric matrix will often absorb moisture and swell. The amount of swelling depends on the degree of molecular crosslinking in the polymer. Matrix swelling produces a gross effect which is directly analogous to thermal expansion.
