#### 5.4.2.3. Laminate Engineering Constants

The laminate engineering constants are derived from the normalized compliance matrices which can be compared with the ply compliance matrix. Therefore the in-plane engineering constants are derived from the normalized in-plane compliance matrix:

- Laminate stiffness:

- Laminate stiffness:

- Laminate shear stiffness:

and the out-of-plane shear terms are derived from the normalized shear compliance matrix:

- Shear correction factors: and k55

- Out-of-plane shear stiffness:

- Out-of-plane shear stiffness:

And the flexural constants are derived from the normalized flexural compliance matrix:

- Flexural laminate stiffness:

- Flexural laminate stiffness:

- Flexural laminate shear stiffness:

In the case of coupling between in-plane and bending forces ( matrix has non-zero elements), the engineering constants represents the case where the laminate is free to curve when loaded with in-plane forces.

Release 18.2 - © ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.