Modelling of functionally graded laminates revisited

Optimization of structural elements met both in civil and mechanical engineering leads to the concept of a material with characteristics smoothly varying in a certain direction (functionally graded materials). An example of this material is a laminate having macroscopic properties varying in space (functionally graded laminate). The aim of this note is to propose a revisited version of the mathematical model for analyzing the effect of interlaminar microdefects on the macroscopic response of a structural element. It is assumed that the distribution of these defects is represented by its mean density per unit area of every interface.