Bending of a two-layer beam with non-rigid contact between the layers

The bending, under plane stress state conditions, of a two-layer beam-strip with identical isotropic linearly elastic layers with non-rigid contact between them is considered. The effect of the contact interaction between the layers, simulated by an elastic or elastoplastic gasket of negligibly small thickness with a finite shear stiffness, on the deflection of the beam is studied. Absolute slippage and rigid contact between the layers are the two limiting values of the shear stiffness. The values of the flexural stiffness of the beam differ by a factor of four in these limiting situations. The problem is reduced to a one- dimensional problem in the case of harmonic external load and an asymptotic solution is constructed for it. In the case of a load of general form, the Kirchhoff - Love hypotheses are used to construct an approximate solution and the problem is reduced to a one-dimensional problem. The difficulties which arise in simulating of the interaction forces between the layers using Coulombic dry friction forces are discussed.