Post-buckling behaviour of thermoplastic matrix composite laminates subjected to pure shear

The present study focuses on the determination of the buckling load and post-buckling behaviour of simply supported laminated composite rectangular panels loaded in shear. The nonlinear structural response is studied with a non-linear finite element approach. In order to determine the accuracy of the procedure, several tests have been performed comparing the finite element solutions for isotropic and laminated composite rectangular panels with existing ones, adopting different sequences of lamination and different length to width ratios. The analysis then considers the behaviour of laminates produced with innovative thermoplastic matrix composites developed in the frame of a national research program.