Transverse inhomogeneity of laminated cylindrical panel influence on post-buckling behaviour

Abstract The present paper concerns the influence of transverse heterogeneity caused by layer stacking sequence in laminated cylindrical panels under compression on their stability and post-buckling behaviour. According to the classical laminated plate theory (CLPT) this inhomogeneity causes not trivial coupling matrix B terms. A method of the modal solution to the nonlinear buckling problem within Koiter’s asymptotic theory, using the semi-analytical method (SAM) and the transition matrix method, was applied in the analysis. Post-buckling behaviour of laminated shallow cylindrical panel within the first- and second-order non-linear approximation were determined when the coupling matrix B was included or neglected. Additionally for model 1D the dimensionless stiffness reduction coefficient values were estimated which already in the phase of composite structure design process makes it easier to assess the influence of coupling matrix on stability. Just like in the case of plate elements, when the value of these coefficients is close to 1, the effect of couplings on stability is negligible. If the value of these coefficients is significantly less than 1, then the effect of the coupling matrix terms on stability increases.