Effect of stacking sequence on local buckling behavior of composite laminates with delamination

Stacking sequence in fiber reinforced composites would usually be symmetrical in order to prevent laminates from bending or twisting under axial load. However, delamination would divide one symmetrical laminates into two unsymmetrical sub-laminates, which presents a bending or torsional coupling associated with their stacking sequences. In this study, the classical lamination theory was utilized to analyze the influence of stacking sequence on local buckling behavior in delamination region. And an FEM numerical simulation was performed to assess the effects of different stacking sequences on mechanical properties of laminates under axial compression load. The results showed that with the same delamination in laminates, some stacking sequences would promote local buckling and significantly weaken the strength, while some other stacking sequence would prevent the local buckling and reduce the effect of delamination damage on laminates.