Elastic-plastic stress analysis and plastic zone propagation in fibre-reinforced thermoplastic laminates using finite element method

The results of a study of elastic-plastic stress analysis and plastic zone propagation in a low density polyethylene thermoplastic composite plate subjected to uniform transverse load are presented. Thermoplastic matrix, polyethylene (LDPE), and steel fibres were used to fabricate the composite plates. Yield points and elastic, elastic-plastic and residual stresses are calculated numerically for both symmetric and antisymmetric laminated plates with different ply orientations by using Finite Element Method. First order shear deformation theory was used as an equivalent single-layer laminate theory for small deformations. Contour plots corresponding to 100, 150 and 200 load steps display the expansion of the plastic zone. Mechanical properties of a layer were obtained experimentally.