Analysis of bending and buckling of pre-twisted beams: A bioinspired study

Twisting chirality is widely observed in artificial and natural materials and structures at different length scales. In this paper, we theoretically investigate the effect of twisting chiral morphology on the mechanical properties of elas- tic beams by using the Timoshenko beam model. Particular attention is paid to the transverse bending and axial buckling of a pre-twisted rectangular beam. The analytical solution is first derived for the deflection of a clamped-free beam under a uniformly or periodically distributed transverse force. The critical buckling condition of the beam subjected to its self- weight and an axial compressive force is further solved. The results show that the twisting morphology can significantly improve the resistance of beams to both transverse bending and axial buckling. This study helps understand some phenomena associated with twisting chirality in nature and provides inspirations for the design of novel devices and structures.     

Three-dimensional equilibria of nonlinear pre-curved beams using an intrinsic formulation and shooting

This article describes a shooting method for computing three-dimensional equilibria of pre-curved nonlinear beams with axial and shear flexibility using the intrinsic beam formulation. For distributed and concentrated follower loads acting on a cantilevered beam, the method amounts to a direct solution approach requiring only a single shot (zero iterations) to compute the equilibria. This is possible since the system equations are defined in a local coordinate system that rotates and translates with the beam, akin to the follower loads themselves. A general procedure employing nonconservative follower loads, which invokes the Picard–Lindelöf theorem on uniqueness and existence of solutions, is also introduced for finding all solutions for three-dimensional pre-curved beam problems with conservative loading. This is particularly useful in beam buckling problems where multiple stable and unstable solutions exist. Three-dimensional equilibrium solutions are generated for many loading cases and boundary conditions, including three-dimensional helical beams, and are compared to similar solutions where available in the literature. Excellent agreement is documented in all comparison cases. For buckling examples, the stability of the computed solutions is assessed using a dynamic finite element code based on the same intrinsic beam equations. Due to the ability to avoid iteration, the presented approach may find application in model-based control for practical three-dimensional problems such as the control of manipulators utilized in endoscopic surgeries and the control of spacecraft with robotic arms and long cables.     

Nonlocal shear deformable shell model for torsional buckling and postbuckling of microtubules in thermal environments

Buckling and postbuckling analysis is presented for microtubules subjected to torsion in thermal environments. The microtubule is modeled as a nonlocal shear deformable cylindrical shell which contains small scale effects. The governing equations are based on a higher order shear deformation theory. The thermal effects are included and the material properties are assumed to be temperature-dependent. The small scale parameter e₀a is estimated by matching the buckling twist angle of microtubules obtained from the nonlocal shear deformable shell model with the existing result. The results show that the small scale effect plays an important role in the postbuckling of microtubules.     

Analysis of dynamical buckling and post buckling for beams by finite segment method

IntroductionThe stability or dynamical buckling of structures is the parametrically exacted vibration ofstructures,and itis a nonlinear vibration problem[1].Dynamical stabilityof beams was studiedusing Galerkin variation method by Russian scholar,and B.B.…     

Thermal-induced snap-through buckling of simply-supported functionally graded beams

The instability of functionally graded material (FGM) structures is one of the major threats to their service safety in engineering applications. This paper aims to clarify a long-standing controversy on the thermal instability type of simply-supported FGM beams. First, based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and von Kármán geometric nonlinearity, a nonlinear governing equation of simply-supported FGM beams under uniform thermal loads by Zhang's two-variable method is formulated. Second, an approximate analytic solution to the nonlinear integro-differential boundary value problem under a thermal-induced inhomogeneous force boundary condition is obtained by using a semiinverse method when the coordinate axis is relocated to the bending axis (physical neutral plane), and then the analytical predictions are verified by the differential quadrature method (DQM). Finally, based on the free energy theorem, it is revealed that the symmetry breaking caused by the material inhomogeneity can make the simply-supported FGM beam under uniform thermal loads occur snap-through postbuckling only in odd modes; furthermore, the nonlinear critical load of thermal buckling varies non-monotonically with the functional gradient index due to the stretching-bending coupling effect. These results are expected to provide new ideas and references for the design and regulation of FGM structures.     

Pseudo-beam method for compressive buckling characteristics analysis of space inflatable load-carrying structures

This paper extends Le van＇s work to the case of nonlinear problem and the complicated configuration. The wrinkling stress distribution and the pressure effects are also included in our analysis. Pseudo-beam method is presented based on the inflatable beam theory to model the inflatable structures as a set of inflatable beam elements with a prestressed state. In this method, the discretized nonlinear equations are given based upon the virtual work principle with a 3-node Timoshenko＇s beam model. Finite element simulation is performed by using a 3-node BEAM189 element incorporating ANSYS nonlinear program. The pressure effect is equivalent included in our method by modifying beam element cross-section parameters related to pressure. A benchmark example, the bending case of an inflatable cantilever beam, is performed to verify the accuracy of our proposed method. The comparisons reveal that the numerical results obtained with our method are close to open published analytical and membrane finite element results. The method is then used to evaluate the whole buckling and the loadcarrying characteristics of an inflatable support frame subjected to a compression force. The wrinkling stress and region characteristics are also shown in the end. This method gives better convergence characteristics, and requires much less computation time. It is very effective to deal with the whole load-carrying ability analytical problems for large scale inflatable structures with complex configuration.     

弹性地基上Euler-Bernoulli梁的热屈曲模态跃迁特性

采用解析方法研究了置于线性弹性地基上的Euler-Bernoulli梁在均匀升温载荷作用下的临界屈曲模态跃迁特性;分别在两端不可移简支和夹紧边界条件下,给出了弹性梁屈曲模态跃迁点的地基刚度值以及屈曲载荷值的精确表达式,并分析了模态跃迁特点.结果表明:随着地基刚度参数值的增大临界屈曲模态通过跃迁点从低阶次向高阶次跃迁;两端简支梁的模态跃迁具有突变特性,而两端夹紧梁的模态跃迁则是一个缓慢变化过程,它是通过端截面的弯矩或曲率的正负号改变实现的.     

Free vibration of functionally graded beams based on both classical and first-order shear deformation beam theories

The free vibration of functionally graded material （FGM） beams is studied based on both the classical and the first-order shear deformation beam theories. The equations of motion for the FGM beams are derived by considering the shear deforma- tion and the axial, transversal, rotational, and axial-rotational coupling inertia forces on the assumption that the material properties vary arbitrarily in the thickness direction. By using the numerical shooting method to solve the eigenvalue problem of the coupled ordinary differential equations with different boundary conditions, the natural frequen- cies of the FGM Timoshenko beams are obtained numerically. In a special case of the classical beam theory, a proportional transformation between the natural frequencies of the FGM and the reference homogenous beams is obtained by using the mathematical similarity between the mathematical formulations. This formula provides a simple and useful approach to evaluate the natural frequencies of the FGM beams without dealing with the tension-bending coupling problem. Approximately, this analogous transition can also be extended to predict the frequencies of the FGM Timoshenko beams. The numerical results obtained by the shooting method and those obtained by the analogous transformation are presented to show the effects of the material gradient, the slenderness ratio, and the boundary conditions on the natural frequencies in detail.     

An experimental study on the static and impact torsional buckling of cylindrical shells

In this paper, experimental studies are carried out on the buckling of circular cylindrical thin shells under impact torque. Experiments of impact buckling are made on a Hopkinson torsional bar. The torsional bar gives a step torque on the shells. Through an analysis of the strain-time curve obtained in experiment, the dynamic buckling critical torqueM _er and buckling waves numbern of the shell with different geometric data and some qualitative results are obtained. The buckling behavior of circular cylindrical thin shells under static and impact torque is compared.     

Modeling and bifurcation analysis of the centre rigid-body mounted on an external Timoshenko beam

Ａｓｗｅｋｎｏｗ,ｉｔｉｓｔｈｅｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒｉｓｔｉｃｏｆｔｈｅｆｌｅｘｉｂｌｅｍｕｌｔｉｂｏｄｙｓｙｓｔｅｍｔｈａｔｔｈｅｒｉｇｉｄｍｏｔｉｏｎｉｓｃｏｕｐｌｅｄｗｉｔｈｔｈｅｆｌｅｘｉｂｌｅｄｅｆｏｒｍａｔｉｏｎ［１～３］．Ｔｈｅｒｅｆｏｒｅ,ｆｏｒｔｈｅｆｌｅｘｉｂｌｅｍｕｌｔｉｂｏｄｙｓｙｓｔｒｍ,ｉｔｉｓｎｅｃｅｓｓａｒｙｔｏｉｎｖｅｓｔｉｇａｔｅｔｈｅｒｅｇｕｌａｒｏｆｔｈｅｄｅｓｔａｂｉｌｉｚａｔｉｏｎａｎｄｂｉｆｕｒｃａｔｉｏｎｏｆｉｔｓｃｏｎｆｉｇｕｒａｔｉｏｎｂｅｆｏｒ…     

The effect of transverse shear deformation on the buckling of two-layer composite columns with interlayer slip

This paper presents an efficient mathematical model for studying the buckling behavior of geometrically perfect elastic two-layer composite columns with interlayer slip between the layers. The present analytical model is based on the linearized stability theory and is capable of predicting exact critical buckling loads. Based on the parametric analysis, the critical buckling loads are compared to those in the literature. It is shown that the discrepancy between the different methods can be up to approximately 22%. In addition, a combined and an individual effect of pre-buckling shortening and transverse shear deformation on the critical buckling loads is studied in detail. A comprehensive parametric analysis reveals that generally the effect of pre-buckling shortening can be neglected, while, on the other hand, the effect of transverse shear deformation can be significant. This effect can be up to 20% for timber composite columns, 40% for composite columns very flexible in shear (pyrolytic graphite), while for metal composite columns it is insignificant.     

Elasto-plastic vibrational analysis of tapered bars under uniform axial loading considering shear deformation and rotary inertia

The analysis of structures in the plastic regime is important in order to develop an adequate and competitive design in engineering. This paper presents a study of the small-amplitude free vibration of tapered bars under pre-stress in the post-elastic regime due to a uniform axial loading. The plastic behavior is taken into account using an energy approach. The method does not require an iterative procedure, unlike conventional methods used in plasticity. The Timoshenko beam theory and the dynamic version of the principle of virtual work are used to derive the eigenvalue problem. The solution is carried out using beam finite elements. The results are validated using 3D finite element software and results from the open literature. A variety of numerical results are given in order to analyze the influence of plastic behavior for various bar geometries and material parameters. The combined effect of the stiffening due to the axial loading and the plastic softening may produce an increase or decrease of the natural frequencies as the tensile load increases. The plastic softening effect is seen to be pronounced for short bars and for high taper ratios. In addition, axial normal modes are more affected than bending modes.     

Initial value method for free vibration of axially loaded functionally graded Timoshenko beams with nonuniform cross section

Free vibration of nonuniform axially functionally graded Timoshenko beams subjected to combined axially tensile or compressive loading is studied. An emphasis is placed on the effect of tip and distributed axial loads on the natural frequencies and mode shapes for an inhomogeneous cantilever beam including material inhomogeneity and geometric non-uniform cross section. The initial value method is developed to determine the natural frequencies. The method’s effectiveness is verified by comparing our results with previous ones for special cases. Natural frequencies of standing/hanging Timoshenko beams are calculated for four different cross sections. The influences of shear rigidity, taper ratio, gradient index, tip force, and axially distributed loading on the natural frequencies of clamped-free beams are discussed. Material inhomogeneity and geometric non-uniform cross-section strongly affect higher-order vibration frequencies and mode shapes.     

Piezoelectric effect on transversal vibrations and buckling of a beam with varying cross section

In this study, the static and dynamic response of a system composed of an Euler-Bernoulli beam with axially restrained ends and a pair of piezo patches symmetrically bonded at a specified localization is investigated. The system is kinematically loaded as a result of the prescribed displacement of one or both supports. By applying an electric field to the piezo patches a residual in-plane stress is generated in the system. The residual force, depending on the direction of the electric field vector, may diminish or enhance the system buckling capacity as well as affecting its natural vibration frequency. In order to acquire approximate solutions to the non-linear dynamic equilibrium equation, a version of the Lindstedt-Poincare method is utilized. With this in mind, the transversal displacements, vibration frequency and axial dynamic force are expanded into exponential series with respect to the small amplitude parameter. The numerical results show the effect of the structural parameters and induced axial piezoelectric force on the stability of the system and its vibration frequency. The amplitude-frequency relationship of the actuated system is also investigated.     

Free vibration characteristics of sectioned unidirectional/bidirectional functionally graded material cantilever beams based on finite element analysis

Advancements in manufacturing technology, including the rapid development of additive manufacturing (AM), allow the fabrication of complex functionally graded material (FGM) sectioned beams. Portions of these beams may be made from different materials with possibly different gradients of material properties. The present work proposes models to investigate the free vibration of FGM sectioned beams based on onedimensional (1D) finite element analysis. For this purpose, a sample beam is divided into discrete elements, and the total energy stored in each element during vibration is computed by considering either the Timoshenko or Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Then, Hamilton's principle is used to derive the equations of motion for the beam. The effects of material properties and dimensions of FGM sections on the beam's natural frequencies and their corresponding mode shapes are then investigated based on a dynamic Timoshenko model (TM). The presented model is validated by comparison with three-dimensional (3D) finite element simulations of the first three mode shapes of the beam.     

The unilateral contact buckling problem of continuous beams in the presence of initial geometric imperfections: An analytical approach based on the theory of elastic stability

An analytical method for the treatment of the elastic buckling problem of continuous beams with intermediate unilateral constraints is presented, which is based on the fundamental theory of elastic stability. The study focuses on the unilateral contact buckling problem of beams in the presence of initial geometric imperfections. The mathematical Euler approach, based on the fundamental solution of the boundary value problem of the buckling of continuous beams, is appropriately modified in order to take into account the unilateral contact conditions. Furthermore, in order the obtained analytical solutions to be applicable for practical design cases, the actual strength of the cross-section of the beam under combined compression and bending is considered. The implementation of the proposed method is demonstrated through a characteristic example.     

The subharmonic bifurcation solution of nonlinear Mathieu's equation and Euler dynamic buckling problems

A new approach is presented in this paper on the basis of dynamic systems theory. This paper presents the form of a generic classification of stable response diagrams for the nonlinear Mathieu equation. In addition, a general method is presented for determining the topological type of the response diagram for a given equation. This method has been successfully applied to Euler dynamic buckling problems. Some new results are obtained.     

Thermal buckling and post-buckling of pinned–fixed Euler–Bernoulli beams on an elastic foundation

In this article, both thermal buckling and post-buckling of pinned–fixed beams resting on an elastic foundation are investigated. Based on the accurate geometrically non-linear theory for Euler–Bernoulli beams, considering both linear and non-linear elastic foundation effects, governing equations for large static deformations of the beam subjected to uniform temperature rise are derived. Due to the large deformation of the beam, the constraint forces of elastic foundation in both longitudinal and transverse directions are taken into account. The boundary value problem for the non-linear ordinary differential equations is solved effectively by using the shooting method. Characteristic curves of critical buckling temperature versus elastic foundation stiffness parameter corresponding to the first, the second, and the third buckling mode shapes are plotted. From the numerical results it can be found that the buckling load-elastic foundation stiffness curves have no intersection when the value of linear foundation stiffness parameter is less than 3000, which is different from the behaviors of symmetrically supported (pinned–pinned and fixed–fixed) beams. As we expect that the non-linear foundation stiffness parameter has no sharp influence on the critical buckling temperature and it has a slight effect on the post-buckling temperature compared with the linear one.     

基于一种广义梁理论的弹性地基FGM简支梁自由振动解析解

基于一种扩展的n阶广义剪切变形梁理论(n-GBT),应用Hamilton原理,建立了以轴向位移、横向位移及转角为未知函数的Winkler-Pasternak弹性地基功能梯度材料(FGM)梁的自由振动方程,采用Navier法获得了弹性地基FGM简支梁自由振动的精确解。与多种梁理论预测结果进行比较,讨论并给出了GBT阶次n的理想取值;分析了梯度指标、跨厚比及地基刚度对FGM梁频率的影响。结果表明:本文方法有效且适用范围广,若采用高阶剪切梁理论模型,宜取n≥3的奇数;FGM梁的自振频率随材料梯度指标的增大而减小;随跨厚比的增加而增大,但当跨厚比大于20,跨厚比增加对频率的影响很小;随地基刚度的增加而增大,地基刚度足够大时,频率趋于收敛。