Higher-order shear deformable theories for flexure of sandwich plates—Finite element evaluations

A simple isoparametric finite element formulation based on a higher-order displacement model for flexure analysis of multilayer symmetric sandwich plates is presented. The assumed displacement model accounts for non-linear variation of inplane displacements and constant variation of transverse displacement through the plate thickness. Further, the present formulation does not require the fictitious shear correction coefficient(s) generally associated with the first-order shear deformable theories. Two sandwich plate theories are developed: one in which the free shear stress conditions on the top and bottom bounding planes are imposed and another, in which such conditions are not imposed. The validity of the present development(s) is established through, numerical evaluations for deflections/stresses/stress-resultants and their comparisons with the available three-dimensional analyses/closed-form/other finite element solutions. Comparison of results from thin plate. Mindlin and present analyses with the exact three-dimensional analyses yields some important conclusions regarding the effects of the assumptions made in the CPT and Mindlin type theories. The comparative study further establishes the necessity of a higher-order shear deformable theory incorporating warping of the cross-section particularly for sandwich plates.     

Measurement of stress distribution in sandwich beams under four-point bending

The bending-stress distributions through thickness in sandwich-composite beams are different from those obtained by conventional composite-beam theory because of the shear effect of the core, especially when the ratio of elastic moduli of face to core (k=E _f /E _c ) is large. Accordingly, the stress distributions in sandwich beams of composite materials with various combinations of face and core materials subjected to four-point bending are analyzed by introducing the multilayer-buitup theory. The bending stiffnesses of face and core, and the relative displacement between both faces are taken into consideration in the analysis. Photoelastic measurements were carried out on model specimens having four differentk-values and the applicable ranges of the two theories are discussed on the basis of the experimental results. It is shown that the experimental-stress distributions in sandwich-composite beams havingk-values larger than 120 can be well explained by the multilayer-builtup theory. The ratio of the coupling moment due to the axial forces in the two faces to the applied total moment, which denotes the sandwich structural efficiency, can be well estimated by the multilayer-builtup theory. The availability of this simple onedimensional theory should be useful in the structural design of sandwich beams with a small-core rigidity.     

An efficient higher order zigzag theory for composite and sandwich beams subjected to thermal loading

A new efficient higher order zigzag theory is presented for thermal stress analysis of laminated beams under thermal loads, with modification of the third order zigzag model by inclusion of the explicit contribution of the thermal expansion coefficient α₃ in the approximation of the transverse displacement w. The thermal field is approximated as piecewise linear across the thickness. The displacement field is expressed in terms of the thermal field and only three primary displacement variables by satisfying exactly the conditions of zero transverse shear stress at the top and the bottom and its continuity at the layer interfaces. The governing equations are derived using the principle of virtual work. Fourier series solutions are obtained for simply-supported beams. Comparison with the exact thermo-elasticity solution for thermal stress analysis under two kinds of thermal loads establishes that the present zigzag theory is generally very accurate and superior to the existing zigzag theory for composite and sandwich beams.     

An efficient coupled layerwise theory for static analysis of piezoelectric sandwich beams

Summary An efficient one-dimensional model is developed for the statics of piezoelectric sandwich beams. Third-order zigzag approximation is used for axial displacement, and the potential is approximated as piecewise linear. The displacement field is expressed in terms of three primary displacement variables and the electric potential variables by satisfying the conditions of zero transverse shear stress at the top and bottom and its continuity at layer interfaces. The deflection field accounts for the piezoelectric transverse normal strain. The governing equations are derived using a variational principle. The present results agree very well with the exact solution for thin and thick highly inhomogeneous simply supported hybrid sandwich beams. The developed theory can accurately model open and closed circuit boundary conditions. The first author is grateful to DST, Government of India, for financial support for this work.     

Analytic elasticity solution of bi-modulus beams under combined loads

A unified stress function for bi-modulus beams is proposed based on its mechanic sense on the boundary of beams. Elasticity solutions of stress and displacement for bi-modulus beams under combined loads are derived. The example analysis shows that the maximum tensile stress using the same elastic modulus theory is underestimated if the tensile elastic modulus is larger than the compressive elastic modulus. Otherwise, the maximum compressive stress is underestimated. The maximum tensile stress using the material mechanics solution is underestimated when the tensile elastic modulus is larger than the compressive elastic modulus to a certain extent. The error of stress using the material mechanics theory decreases as the span-to-height ratio of beams increases, which is apparent when L/h ≤5. The error also varies with the distributed load patterns.     

Coupled refined layerwise theory for dynamic free and forced response of piezoelectric laminated composite and sandwich beams

This work extends a previously presented coupled refined layerwise theory to dynamic analysis of piezoelectric laminated composite and sandwich beams. Contrary to most of the available theories, all the kinematic and stress boundary conditions are satisfied at the interfaces of the piezoelectric layers with the non-zero longitudinal electric field. Moreover, both electrical transverse normal strains and transverse flexibility are taken into account for the first time in the present theory. In the presented formulation a high-order polynomial, an exponential expression and a layerwise term containing the electric field are included in the describing expression of the in-plane displacement of the beam. For the transverse displacement, the coupled refined model uses a combination of continuous piecewise fourth-order polynomials with a layerwise representation of electrical unknowns. The electric field is also approximated as linear across the thickness direction of piezoelectric layers. One of advantages of the present theory is that the mechanical number of the unknown parameters is very small and is independent of the number of the layers. For validation of the proposed model, various free and forced vibration tests for thin and thick laminated/sandwich piezoelectric beams are carried out. For various electrical and mechanical boundary conditions, excellent correlation has been found between the results obtained from the proposed formulation with those resulted from the three-dimensional theory of piezoelasticity.     

Free vibration of functionally graded sandwich plates using four-variable refined plate theory

This paper uses the four-variable refined plate theory (RPT) for the free vibration analysis of functionally graded material (FGM) sandwich rectangular plates.Unlike other theories, there are only four unknown functions involved, as compared to five in other shear deformation theories. The theory presented is variationally consistent and strongly similar to the classical plate theory in many aspects. It does not require the shear correction factor, and gives rise to the transverse shear stress variation so that the transverse shear stresses vary parabolically across the thickness to satisfy free surface conditions for the shear stress. Two common types of FGM sandwich plates are considered, namely, the sandwich with the FGM facesheet and the homogeneous core and the sandwich with the homogeneous facesheet and the FGM core. The equation of motion for the FGM sandwich plates is obtained based on Hamilton's principle. The closed form solutions are obtained by using the Navier technique. The fundamental frequencies are found by solving the eigenvalue problems. The validity of the theory is shown by comparing the present results with those of the classical, the first-order, and the other higher-ordex theories. The proposed theory is accurate and simple in solving the free vibration behavior of the FGM sandwich plates.     

一维六方准晶层合简支梁自由振动与屈曲的精确解

伪Stroh型公式能够将多场耦合材料的控制方程转化为线性特征系统来求解,从而获得多层结构简支边界条件的精确解.本文利用伪Stroh型公式,研究一维六方准晶层合简支梁的自由振动和屈曲问题,通过传递矩阵法,获得准晶层合梁自由振动固有频率与临界屈曲载荷的精确解.通过与已有梁的剪切变形理论结果比较,验证了本文伪Stroh型公式的正确性和有效性.通过数值算例,分析由两种不同准晶材料组成的三明治层合梁的叠层方式、高跨比、层厚比及层数对梁的固有频率、临界屈曲载荷及其模态的影响规律.结果表明,叠层顺序和梁的高跨比、层厚比对准晶层合梁的自由振动固有频率和临界屈曲载荷有很大影响,可通过调整梁的几何尺寸和叠层顺序得到准晶层合梁的最佳固有频率和临界屈曲载荷.本文给出的精确解可为工程上研究准晶梁的各种数值解法和实验方法提供理论参考.     

Two-dimensional complete rational analysis of functionally graded beams within symplectic framework

Exact solutions for generally supported functionally graded plane beams are given within the framework of symplectic elasticity. The Young’s modulus is assumed to exponentially vary along the longitudinal direction while the Poisson’s ratio remains constant. The state equation with a shift-Hamiltonian operator matrix has been established in the previous work, which is limited to the Saint-Venant solution. Here, a complete rational analysis of the displacement and stress distributions in the beam is presented by exploring the eigensolutions that are usually covered up by the Saint-Venant principle. These solutions play a significant role in the local behavior of materials that is usually ignored in the conventional elasticity methods but possibly crucial to the material/structure failures. The analysis makes full use of the symplectic orthogonality of the eigensolutions. Two illustrative examples are presented to compare the displacement and stress results with those for homogenous materials, demonstrating the effects of material inhomogeneity.     

Elasticity solution of clamped-simply supported beams with variable thickness

This paper studies the stress and displacement distributions of continuously varying thickness beams with one end clamped and the other end simply supported under static loads. By introducing the unit pulse functions and Dirac functions, the clamped edge can be made equivalent to the simply supported one by adding the unknown horizontal reactions. According to the governing equations of the plane stress problem, the general expressions of displacements, which satisfy the governing differefitial equations and the boundary conditions attwo ends of the beam, can be deduced. The unknown coefficients in the general expressions are then determined by using Fourier sinusoidal series expansion along the upper and lower boundaries of the beams and using the condition of zero displacements at the clamped edge. The solution obtained has excellent convergence properties. Comparing the numerical results to those obtained from the commercial software ANSYS, excellent accuracy of the present method is demonstrated.     

Exact solution of supercritical axially moving beams: symmetric and anti-symmetric configurations

We present an exact solution for supercritical configurations of axially moving beams with arbitrary boundary conditions. We take into account the geometric nonlinearity of the traveling beams in supercritical regime, and the nonlinear buckling problem is analytically solved. A closed-form solution for the supercritical configuration in terms of the axial speed is obtained. Some typical boundary conditions, such as fixed-fixed, fixed-pinned and pinned-pinned, are discussed. More importantly, based on the exact solution, we found a new anti-symmetric configuration for the fixed-fixed axially moving beams. The traveling beam may vibrate around the new anti-symmetric configuration at sufficiently high traveling speeds. A good accuracy of the solution is confirmed by a comparison with the data available in the literature, and with our own numerical results.     

Finite Anticlastic Bending of Hyperelastic Solids and Beams

This paper deals with the equilibrium problem in nonlinear elasticity of hyperelastic solids under anticlastic bending. A three-dimensional kinematic model, where the longitudinal bending is accompanied by the transversal deformation of cross sections, is formulated. Following a semi-inverse approach, the displacement field prescribed by the above kinematic model contains three unknown parameters. A Lagrangian analysis is performed and the compressible Mooney-Rivlin law is assumed for the stored energy function. Once evaluated the Piola-Kirchhoff stresses, the free parameters of the kinematic model are determined by using the equilibrium equations and the boundary conditions. An Eulerian analysis is then accomplished to evaluating stretches and stresses in the deformed configuration. Cauchy stress distributions are investigated and it is shown how, for wide ranges of constitutive parameters, the obtained solution is quite accurate. The whole formulation proposed for the finite anticlastic bending of hyperelastic solids is linearized by introducing the hypothesis of smallness of the displacement and strain fields. With this linearization procedure, the classical solution for the infinitesimal bending of beams is fully recovered.     

A new formulation for the analysis of elastic layers bonded to rigid surfaces

Elastic layers bonded to rigid surfaces have widely been used in many engineering applications. It is commonly accepted that while the bonded surfaces slightly influence the shear behavior of the layer, they can cause drastic changes on its compressive and bending behavior. Most of the earlier studies on this subject have been based on assumed displacement fields with assumed stress distributions, which usually lead to “average” solutions. These assumptions have somehow hindered the comprehensive study of stress/displacement distributions over the entire layer. In addition, the effects of geometric and material properties on the layer behavior could not be investigated thoroughly. In this study, a new formulation based on a modified Galerkin method developed by Mengi [Mengi, Y., 1980. A new approach for developing dynamic theories for structural elements. Part 1: Application to thermoelastic plates. International Journal of Solids and Structures 16, 1155–1168] is presented for the analysis of bonded elastic layers under their three basic deformation modes; namely, uniform compression, pure bending and apparent shear. For each mode, reduced governing equations are derived for a layer of arbitrary shape. The applications of the formulation are then exemplified by solving the governing equations for an infinite-strip-shaped layer. Closed form expressions are obtained for displacement/stress distributions and effective compression, bending and apparent shear moduli. The effects of shape factor and Poisson’s ratio on the layer behavior are also investigated.     

薄壁曲梁的稳定性研究进展

曲梁是桥梁、建筑、船舶、航空和航天工程中常见的薄壁构件,根据外载荷与主曲率平面的关系,又被称为拱或水平曲梁.随着工程材料的日益发展,如复合材料、功能梯度材料的引入,曲梁的应用范围更加广泛,进一步推进了薄壁曲梁稳定性问题的研究.本文首先对薄壁梁结构的稳定性行为进行了分类.接着简述了薄壁构件的基本假设,对比了近几十年来薄壁曲梁的基本理论,针对复合材料薄壁曲梁,总结了相应的本构关系,并对各理论间存在的分歧进行了归纳.结合最新的薄壁曲梁研究,根据平衡法、能量法和虚位移(虚功)原理推导出控制微分方程,阐述了相应的求解方法,如解析法、半解析法和数值解法.为验证薄壁曲梁理论的准确性,曲梁承载能力试验验证尤为重要,但目前国内外相关研究还很少,亟待发展.最后讨论了现阶段薄壁曲梁研究的局限性和未来发展的方向.     

Exact solution of the thick laminated open cylindrical shells with four clamped edges

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Nonlinear free vibration and post-buckling analysis of functionally graded beams on nonlinear elastic foundation

In this study, simple analytical expressions are presented for large amplitude free vibration and post-buckling analysis of functionally graded beams rest on nonlinear elastic foundation subjected to axial force. Euler–Bernoulli assumptions together with Von Karman’s strain–displacement relation are employed to derive the governing partial differential equation of motion. Furthermore, the elastic foundation contains shearing layer and cubic nonlinearity. He’s variational method is employed to obtain the approximate closed form solution of the nonlinear governing equation. Comparison between results of the present work and those available in literature shows the accuracy of this method. Some new results for the nonlinear natural frequencies and buckling load of the FG beams such as the effect of vibration amplitude, elastic coefficients of foundation, axial force, and material inhomogenity are presented for future references.     

Dynamic Analysis of Multi-Beam MEMS Structures for the Extraction of the Stress-Strain Response of Thin Films

Freestanding MEMS structures made of two long connected beams from different materials are fabricated and released in order to extract the stress-strain properties of thin films. The first material, named actuator, contains a high internal tensile stress component and, when released, pulls on the other beam. The strain in the beams is calculated based on the measurement of the displacement with respect to the reference configuration using scanning electron microscopy. The stress is estimated using two different methods. The first method, already reported, is based on the displacement of the actuator and the knowledge of its internal stress. The method which constitutes the novelty of the present study is based on the dynamic analysis of the multi-beam structures, and the determination of the stress value that corresponds to the measured resonance frequencies. The dynamic analysis is performed via two different methods: (i) the modified Rayleigh–Ritz technique and (ii) the Euler–Bernoulli beam dynamics. Results are provided for palladium thin films which deform plastically and for monocrystalline silicon thin films, exhibiting a purely elastic behavior. The results show the higher accuracy of the dynamic measurements for the estimation of the stress compared to the static method. The dynamic measurements also show that the Rayleigh–Ritz technique tends to give a higher bound for the resonance frequencies compared to the Euler–Bernoulli technique. This dynamic method extends the potential of this on-chip material testing technique which can also be adapted to stress controlled sensors applications.     

High-order layerwise mechanics and finite element for the damped dynamic characteristics of sandwich composite beams

A high-order discrete-layer theory and a finite element are presented for predicting the damping of laminated composite sandwich beams. The new layerwise laminate theory involves quadratic and cubic terms for approximation of the in-plane displacement in each discrete layer, while interlaminar shear stress continuity is imposed through the thickness. Integrated damping mechanics are formulated and both laminate and structural stiffness, mass and damping matrices are formed. A finite element method and a beam element are further developed for predicting the free vibration response, including modal frequencies, modal loss factors and through-thickness mode shapes. Numerical results and evaluations of the present model are shown. Modal frequencies and damping of sandwich composite beams are measured and correlated with predicted values. Finally, parametric studies illustrate the effect of core thickness and face lamination on modal damping and frequency values.     

Higher-order free vibrations of sandwich beams with a locally damaged core

The dynamical equations describing the free vibration of sandwich beams with a locally damaged core are derived using the higher-order theory approach. The nonlinear acceleration fields in the core are accounted for in the derivations, which is essential for the vibration analysis of the locally damaged sandwich beams. A local damage in the core, arbitrarily located along the length of the sandwich beam, is assumed to preclude the transition of stresses through the core between the undamaged parts of the beam. The damage is assumed to exist before the vibration starts and not to grow during oscillations. The numerical analysis based on the derived equations has been verified with the aid of the commercial finite element software ABAQUS. The numerical simulations reveal that a small local damage causes significant changes in the natural frequencies and corresponding vibration modes of the sandwich beams. An important practical consequence of the present work is that the vibration measurements can be successfully used as a nondestructive damage tool to assess local damages in sandwich beams.     

Analysis of micropolar elastic beams

In this paper, a linear theory for the analysis of beams based on the micropolar continuum mechanics is developed. Power series expansions for the axial displacement and micro-rotation fields are assumed. The governing equations are derived by integrating the momentum and moment of momentum equations in the micropolar continuum theory. Body couples and couple stresses can be supported in this theory. After some simplifications, this theory can be reduced to the well-known Timoshenko and Euler–Bernoulli beam theories. The nature of flexural and longitudinal waves in the infinite length micropolar beam has been investigated. This theory predicts the existence of micro-rotational waves which are not present in any of the known beam theories based on the classical continuum mechanics. Also, the deformation of a cantilever beam with transverse concentrated tip loading has been studied. The pattern of deflection of the beam is similar to the classical beam theories, but couple stress and micro-rotation show an oscillatory behavior along the beam for various loadings.