ABSTRACT
Some elements on stability theory of composite laminates are presented, for instance, in the monographies due to Ashton and Whitney [7.1], Jones [7.2], Whitney [7.3] and Gibson [7.4]. The stability theory of composite laminates, presented in this chapter, is founded on the classical Love-Kirchhoff plate theory and on the three-dimensional linearized theory. The theory obtained in this way also takes into account the influence of the initial applied bending moment on the behavior of composite laminates and is due to Capanu and Soo´s [7.5] and Capanu [7.6]. In most studies concerning stability of composite laminates, the influence of the initial applied bending moment is neglected and this can lead to dangerous circumstances.
