ABSTRACT

Effective hygro-thermo-mechanical parameters of a lamina are the typical output of micro-level analysis or experimental study of the lamina. These hygro-thermo-mechanical parameters are the input to a macro-level analysis of a lamina and this is an essential step in the analysis of a laminate leading to product design and development. This chapter deals with the behavior of a lamina at a macro level. It discusses the mechanical behavior of a lamina in terms of the constitutive relations, engineering constants, and strength. Fiber orientation in a lamina is an important aspect and it is addressed in the discussion on topics in generally orthotropic lamina. Then, strength parameters of an orthotropic lamina are introduced and failure criteria are presented. Finally, the hygrothermal behavior of a lamina is discussed and the effects of temperature and moisture on specially orthotropic as well as generally orthotropic laminae are addressed.