Deformation of laminated elastomer composites

Flexible elastomer composites subjected to finite deformation are usually associated with significant fiber re-orientation and configuration change which cannot be described by classical Composite lamination theory. Utilizing the Lagrangian description and a strain-energy density approach, this work presents a set of 2-D constitutive equations in terms of the overall deformation of laminated composites. This model includes both geometric and material nonlinearities of the laminate. Interlaminar shear deformation is addressed but not studied in this analysis. Theoretical predictions have been compared with the available experimental data about symmetric laminates with various fiber orientations in the finite deformation range. Also, a parametric study has been performed under various ratios of biaxial deformation.