A general linear theory of laminated composite shells featuring interlaminar bonding imperfections

This paper is devoted to the foundation of a general linear theory of laminated composite anisotropic shells of arbitrary shape and curvature, in which the effect of the interfacial damage induced by the imperfect bonding between the constituent laminae is incorporated. In this context, the imperfect interface conditions are described in terms of linear relations between the interface tractions in the normal and tangential directions, and the respective displacement jumps. In addition to the effects of imperfectly bonded interfaces, the theory incorporates the effects of transverse shear and transverse normal strain, the dynamic effects, as well as the anisotropy of constituent material layers. Due to its general character, this theory can contribute to a more reliable prediction in the linear range of the load carrying capacitiy and failure of laminated composite shell structures featuring imperfectly bonded interfaces. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.