Non-linear oscillations of a thin-walled composite beam with shear deformation

A geometrically non-linear theory is used to study the dynamic behavior of a thin-walled composite beam. The model is based on a small strain and large rotation and displacements theory, which is formulated through the adoption of a higher-order displacement field and takes into account shear flexibility (bending and warping shear). In the analysis of a weakly nonlinear continuous system, the Ritz’s method is employed to express the problem in terms of generalized coordinates. Then, perturbation method of multiple scales is applied to the reduced system in order to obtain the equations of amplitude and modulation. In this paper, the non-linear 3D oscillations of a simply-supported beam are examined, considering a cross-section having one symmetry axis. Composite is assumed to be made of symmetric balanced laminates and especially orthotropic laminates. The model, which contains both quadratic and cubic non-linearities, is assumed to be in internal resonance condition. Steady-state solution and their stability are investigated by means of the eigenvalues of the Jacobian matrix. The equilibrium solution is governed by the modal coupling and experience a complex behavior composed by saddle noddle, Hopf and double period bifurcations.     

An Iterative Analytical Theory in the Mechanics of Layered Composite Systems

An iterative analytical theory in the mechanics of layered composite systems is developed. The prehistory of the nonclassical theory of layered systems is presented. The division of this theory into two principal directions - discrete-structural and continuous-structural - is mentioned. The basic iterative Ambartsumyan theory, which belongs to the second direction, is described. The formation of the generalized iteration theory of first approximation is shown. In this theory, the disagreement between the kinematic and static models is removed, i.e., a generalization of these models is realized. The theory of second approximation is described. An iterative principle is presented for the formation of a higher-approximation nonclassical theory. Based on this principle, theories of anisotropic composite shallow shells, plates, and beams are formulated. Comparative calculation results for different layered composite systems are presented.     

Structural elastic and creep models of a UD composite in longitudinal shear

The transient creep of a UD composite with a quadratic arrangement of elastic fibers of quadratic cross section is investigated. The deformational properties of the composite are determined from the known properties of its constituents. A structural model of the UD composite is developed, whose minimal elementary cell contains four elements. The stress-strain state of the elements is assumed homogeneous. Two types of basic and resolving governing equations of transient creep are deduced, which are based on static or kinematic assumptions. In each of the cases, a formula for the longitudinal elastic shear modulus of the composite is found. The stationary solutions of creep equations allow one to obtain formulas of the steady-state creep of the composite in a form similar to Norton’s law. Numerical calculations are also performed, and a comparison of the results with data given in the literature bears witness to the efficiency of the models developed and the solutions obtained. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 4, pp. 437–448, July–August, 2007.     

Investigation of free vibrations of composite beams by using the finite-difference method

The free-vibration behavior of symmetrically laminated fiber-reinforced composite beams with different boundary conditions is examined. The effects of shear deformation and rotary inertia, separately and/or in combination, on the free-vibration properties of the beams are investigated. The finite-difference method is used to solve the partial differential equations describing the free-vibration motion in each case. The effect of shear deformation on the natural frequencies is considerable, especially for higher frequencies, whereas the influence of rotary inertia is less significant. The study includes comparisons with results available in the literature. In addition, the impact of such factors as the span/depth ratio, fiber orientation, stacking sequence, and material type on free vibrations of the composite beams is investigated. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 331–346, May–June, 2006.     

Estimation of elastic coefficients for a multiple beam structure

In this paper, we consider the estimation of spatially dependent elastic parameters in a static distributed model of a simple structure composed of two beams at a fixed angle to one another. We formulate the potential energy functional of the system and obtain existence of optimal estimators to a regularized-output least-squares estimation problem. We discuss regularity and approximation results for the basic problem and penalized problem in which nonconforming elements are used to model the junction of the beams. Numerical examples are presented and generalizations to multiple-beam systems are discussed.This work was supported in part by AFOSR Grant 91-0017.     

Stress state of a composite shell with a sizable opening

The stress-strain state of a nonshallow cylindrical shell of a composite material is investigated. The shell is weakened by a circular hole and loaded with internal pressure. For solving the problem, the variational-difference method is used. The calculations are carried out for an orthotropic shell with a sizable hole, with account of the reduced shear stiffness of the material.Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 49–56, January–February, 2005.     

Assessment of transmission of the shear stress in potted anchors for composite rods 1. Sleeve of constant thickness

The key problem facing the application of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) stay cables and tendons is the anchorage. Potted (bond-type) anchors have been used more extensively than anchors of any other type. The main aim in the design of anchors is to minimize the peak shear stress at the FRP rod-pottant interface. To this end, parametric analyses of the stress state in the anchors are carried out. Since parametric studies can not be easily performed by the finite-element method, an analytical model of the anchor is proposed. The model involves significant simplifying assumptions and allows one to obtain a relatively simple analytical solution for shear-stress distributions at the FRP rod-pottant interface. The use of this solution at various boundary conditions and various geometrical and mechanical parameters of anchor components enables one to search for and evaluate, at least qualitatively, different methods for decreasing the peak interfacial shear stress in the anchor. In this part of the investigation, an anchor consisting of a sleeve of constant thickness is considered. Russian tanslation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 45, No. 3, pp. 321-346, May-June, 2009.     

Variant of an Analytical Shear Model for the Stress-Strain State of Heterogeneous Composite Beams

A nonclassical analytical model for the stress-strain state of composite beams with account of shear strains is suggested. It is assumed that the beam is piecewise heterogeneous across its height. Normal and tangential loads operate on its upper and lower surfaces and on interfaces. The model describes the distribution of tangential displacements across the thickness of plies by a third-degree polynomial. The corresponding system of differential equations is obtained by the variational method and contains two equations. The first one is an analog of the equation of classical theory of beams for deflections, and the second one is an analog of the equation of the theory for the bending moment from the generalized load. The solutions to test problems are compared with three-dimensional solutions and with experimental results for simply supported and clamped beams of different composite structure. An applied engineering problem is solved for a multispan statically indeterminate beam.     

Multicriteria optimization of a rectangular composite plate subjected to longitudinal thermal stresses and buckling in shear loading

The multicriteria optimization of the structure and geometry of a laminated anisotropic composite plate subjected to thermal and shear loading is considered. From the known properties of the monolayer and given values of variable structural parameters, the thermoelastic properties of the layered composite are determined. The optimization criteria — the critical shear load and the longitudinal thermal stresses — depend on two variable design parameters of composite properties and temperature. In the space of optimization criteria, the domain of allowable solutions and the Pareto-optimal subregion are found. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 85–92, January–February, 2007.     

Theoretical and experimental investigation of anisotropic damage in textile-reinforced composite structures

In the present work, a phenomenological plane-stress damage-mechanics-based model for textile-reinforced composites is presented and its predictive capability is evaluated by carrying out a series of experimental tests. Damage variables are introduced to describe the evolution of the damage state and, as a subsequence, the degradation of material stiffness. For calculating the nonlinear stress and strain distribution of complexly loaded composites with a textile reinforcement, a special emphasis has to be placed on the interaction between the fiber failure due to the stress in the fiber direction and the matrix failure due to the transverse and shear stresses. This demands the formulation of realistic failure criteria taking into account the microstructural material behavior and different fracture modes. The new failure criteria, like the fracture mode concepts, consider these fracture modes, as well as further fracture types, in the reinforcement plane. The failure criteria are based on equations for failure surfaces in the stress space and damage thresholds in determining the stiffness degradation of the composite. The model proposed was used to characterize the strength and the failure behavior of carbon-fiber-reinforced composites. For this purpose, several unidirectional and bidirectional tests were performed to determine the specific properties of the material. The specimens were investigated by using acoustic emission techniques and strain-controlled tension and torsion tests.Russian translated published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 40, No. 6, pp. 791–810, November–December, 2004.     

Reliable solution of an elasto-plastic Reissner-Mindlin beam for Hencky's model with uncertain yield function

We apply the method of reliable solutions to the bending problem for an elasto-plastic beam, considering the yield function of the von Mises type with uncertain coefficients. The compatibility method is used to find the moments and shear forces. Then we solve a maximization problem for these quantities with respect to the uncertain input data.     

A nonlinear dynamic model for a rotor-spun composite yarn spinning process

A nonlinear dynamic model is proposed for the rotor-spun composite yarn spinning process. The position of a convergent point and the section area can be easily determined using the proposed model. Trajectories and phase diagrams can be obtained for different spinning parameters.     

Modeling of transverse shears of piecewise homogeneous composite bars using an iterative process with account of tangential loads

A nonclassical model for the stress-strain state of a piecewise homogeneous composite bar is proposed. The model is based on an iterative process and takes into account the deplanation of cross sections of the bar caused by transverse shears. Based on the shear strains of some particular approximation, higher approximation models are constructed. The model accounts for both the normal and tangential loads.Presented at the 11th International Conference on Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, June 11–15, 2000).Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 487–500, July–August, 2000.     

Interaction curves for vibration and buckling of thin-walled composite box beams under axial loads and end moments

Interaction curves for vibration and buckling of thin-walled composite box beams with arbitrary lay-ups under constant axial loads and equal end moments are presented. This model is based on the classical lamination theory, and accounts for all the structural coupling coming from material anisotropy. The governing differential equations are derived from the Hamilton’s principle. The resulting coupling is referred to as triply flexural–torsional coupled vibration and buckling. A displacement-based one-dimensional finite element model with seven degrees of freedoms per node is developed to solve the problem. Numerical results are obtained for thin-walled composite box beams to investigate the effects of axial force, bending moment, fiber orientation on the buckling loads, buckling moments, natural frequencies and corresponding vibration mode shapes as well as axial-moment–frequency interaction curves.     

Uniform stabilization of a nonlinear structural acoustic model with a Timoshenko beam interface

This paper is concerned with a nonlinear model which describes the interaction of sound and elastic waves in a two‐dimensional acoustic chamber in which one flat ‘wall’, the interface, is flexible. The composite dynamics of the structural acoustic model is described by the linearized equations for a gas defined on the interior of the chamber and the nonlinear Timoshenko beam equations on the interface. Uniform stability of the energy associated with the interactive system of partial differential equations is achieved by incorporating a nonlinear feedback boundary damping scheme in the equations for the gas and the beam. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A homogeneous limit methodology and refinements of computationally efficient zigzag theory for homogeneous,laminated composite,and sandwich plates

The Refined Zigzag Theory (RZT) for homogeneous, laminated composite, and sandwich plates is revisited to offer a fresh insight into its fundamental assumptions and practical possibilities. The theory is introduced from a multiscale formalism starting with the inplane displacement field expressed as a superposition of coarse and fine contributions. The coarse displacement field is that of first‐order shear‐deformation theory, whereas the fine displacement field has a piecewise‐linear zigzag distribution through the thickness. The resulting kinematic field provides a more realistic representation of the deformation states of transverse‐shear‐flexible plates than other similar theories. The condition of limiting homogeneity of transverse‐shear properties is proposed and yields four distinct variants of zigzag functions. Analytic solutions for highly heterogeneous sandwich plates undergoing elastostatic deformations are used to identify the best‐performing zigzag functions. Unlike previously used methods, which often result in anomalous conditions and nonphysical solutions, the present theory does not rely on transverse‐shear‐stress equilibrium constraints. For all material systems, there are no requirements for use of transverse‐shear correction factors to yield accurate results. To model homogeneous plates with the full power of zigzag kinematics, infinitesimally small perturbations in the transverse shear properties are derived, thus enabling highly accurate predictions of homogeneous‐plate behavior without the use of shear correction factors. The RZT predictive capabilities to model highly heterogeneous sandwich plates are critically assessed, demonstrating its superior efficiency, accuracy, and a wide range of applicability. This theory, which is derived from the virtual work principle, is well‐suited for developing computationally efficient, C⁰ a continuous function of (x₁,x₂) coordinates whose first‐order derivatives are discontinuous along finite element interfaces and is thus appropriate for the analysis and design of high‐performance load‐bearing aerospace structures. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2010     

Calculation and experimental study of a unidirectional rubber-cord composite in tension and compression

Calculation and experimental study of transverse tension and compression of a rubber-cord composite with a unidirectional scheme of reinforcement is presented. The calculation results for components of the composite and for the composite as a whole are compared with the experimental data. The loss of stability of the deformed rubber-cord composite in transverse tension is analyzed.Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 325–334, 1999.     

Calculation of statically indeterminate composite beam elements by using refined boundary conditions and with account of their state diagrams

The effect of compliance of support units on the calculation of strength of composite beams with account of the nonlinear deformation diagram of the composite is examined. The basic equilibrium equations of the mechanics of deformable solid bodies are used to solve the problems of strength, rigidity, and displacements, with introduction into them extreme criteria for the parameters to be calculated. The procedure developed al lows one to find the final solutions by using iterative processes. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 75–84, January–February, 2009.     

Analysis of laminated composite plates using higher-order shear deformation plate theory and node-based smoothed discrete shear gap method

This paper presents a novel finite element formulation for static, free vibration and buckling analyses of laminated composite plates. The idea relies on a combination of node-based smoothing discrete shear gap method with the higher-order shear deformation plate theory (HSDT) to give a so-called NS-DSG3 element. The higher-order shear deformation plate theory (HSDT) is introduced in the present method to remove the shear correction factors and improve the accuracy of transverse shear stresses. The formulation uses only linear approximations and its implementation into finite element programs is quite simple and efficient. The numerical examples demonstrated that the present element is free of shear locking and shows high reliability and accuracy compared to other published solutions in the literature.     

Buckling and free vibration analyses of laminated composite plates by using two new hyperbolic shear-deformation theories

Two new hyperbolic displacement models, HPSDT1 and HPSDT2, are used for the buckling and free vibration analyses of simply supported orthotropic laminated composite plates. The models contain hyperbolic expressions to account for the parabolic distributions of transverse shear stresses and to satisfy the zero shear-stress conditions at the top and bottom surfaces of the plates. The equation of motion for thick laminated rectangular plates subjected to in-plane loads is deduced through the use of Hamilton’s principle. Closed-form solutions are obtained by using the Navier technique, and then the buckling loads and the fundamental frequencies are found by solving eigenvalue problems. The accuracy of the models presented is demonstrated by comparing the results obtained with solutions of other higher-order models given in the literature. It is found that the theories proposed can predict the fundamental frequencies and buckling loads of cross-ply laminated composite plates rather accurately. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 2, pp. 217–230, March–April, 2008.