Example 5.10: For the laminate in Example 5.3 (that is, ), calculate the laminate coefficients of thermal expansions.

Solution: This is a symmetric matrix. Hence, . A matrix is given as:

And

Now we calculate effective thermal forces for fictitious thermal change of . In the thermal force calculation we have assumed that the middle two layers are combined to form one layer of 2 mm thickness.

which gives,

The laminate coefficients of thermal expansion are calculated as

Example 5.11: Material properties for T300/5208 material are given here [Error! Reference source not found.]. Calculate the laminate coefficients of hygral expansion for  laminate with each layer of 1 mm thickness.

Solution: This is a symmetric matrix. Hence, . A matrix is given as:

And

Now we calculate effective thermal forces for fictitious hygral change of . In the hygral force calculation we have assumed that the middle two layers are combined to form one layer of 2 mm thickness

which gives,

The laminate coefficients of hygral expansion are calculated as