On composite laminates with extensional anisotropy

The definite list of extensionally (membrane) anisotropic composite laminates with up to 21 plies is presented. The listings comprise of individual stacking sequences, which are characterized in terms of angle- and cross-ply sub-sequence relationships as well as the blend-ratio of unbalanced angle-plies. Dimensionless parameters, including lamination parameters, are provided, from which the extensional and bending stiffness terms are readily calculated and an assessment of the bending stiffness efficiency made for angle- and cross-ply sub-sequences. Comparisons are made between the structural response of extensionally-anisotropic laminates and laminates with both extensional- and bending-anisotropy; Initial- and post-buckling responses are considered at the panel level together with the static response of a complete wing-box structure