Refined variational solutions of the interfacial thermal stresses in a laminated beam

A method for determining the interlaminar thermal stresses in laminated multi-layered beams under varying temperature levels is discussed. Thermal expansion in every beam layer is calculated using high-order polynomial expansions of the stress functions in conjunction with a computer program. This technique can be very useful in analyzing the thermal expansion behavior of multi-layered beams with the least amount of effort.