ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the mechanics governing the behavior of the individual lamina or ply of a laminated composite. It includes laminae that are isotropic, orthotropic, or anisotropic in nature. There are certain inherent lamina properties which are only dependent on the material being used and do not change with orientation of the lamina. The development will first begin with the general concepts of stress, strain, and the generalized Hooke's law and then proceed to the specifics of the mechanics of the lamina. The Hooke's law relationships for orthotropic and anisotropic materials in two- and three-dimensional stress states are more involved than the relationships for isotropic materials. The chapter provides a review of the fundamental principles of stress and strain at a point in order to form a firm base for understanding the mechanics of the lamina. A change in temperature or the absorption of fluids or gases from the environment will result in a dimensional change in a lamina.
