On the prediction improvement of transverse stress distributions in cross-ply laminated beams: advanced versus conventional beam modelling

This paper assesses the stress analysis performance of the most commonly used conventional, shear deformable beam theories as well as the advanced beam theories presented in references [Acta Mech. 1997;123:163; Math. Mech. Solids 1997;2:459; Int. J. Solids Struct. 1997;22:2857], by employing a predictor–corrector method. The assessment deals with the accuracy of the distribution of the interlaminar (transverse shear and transverse normal) stresses through the entire beam thickness. As far as simply supported, cross-ply laminated beams are concerned, it compares the corresponding stress analysis results obtained with their exact elasticity counterparts. The conclusions of this type of initial assessment are very much in favour of the advanced beam theories, which involve exponential shape functions of the transverse co-ordinate parameter. Hence, those advanced beam theories are employed for further applications that involve different sets of end boundary conditions for which explicit exact elasticity results are unavailable or very difficult to obtain.