ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors consider two important simplifications of the classical two-dimensional operations of laminated plates which result in one dimensional theories. In the first simplification they consider the plate to have a very high length-to-width ratio such that the plate deformation may be considered to be independent of the length coordinate. The second one-dimensional analysis involves the development of a laminated beam theory. While cylindrical bending provides a convenient tool for performing an one dimensional analysis of laminated plates, a theory for laminated, anisotropic beams is also desirable. Beam bending test methods are often based on homogeneous isotropic beam theory. Equations which are applicable to a general class of symmetric laminates can be derived by considering a beam as a special case of a laminated plate. The interlaminar shear stress is often of interest in a laminated beam because of the relatively weak interlaminar shear strength encountered in composite materials.
