Nonlinear Deformation of Composite Beams: Unification of Cross-Sectional and Elastic Analyses

Abstract

A unified analysis is presented for predicting the deformation of anisotropic beams. Outlines of the derivations of both a linear, two-dimensional, cross-sectional analysis and a nonlinear, one-dimensional analysis are given from application of a general kinematical foundation, in which only small strain and small local rotation are assumed. The deformation may be arbitrary except that restrained warping effects are not treated. Predictions from the unified analysis agree quite well with published experimental results for both nonlinear static and linearized dynamic behavior about equilibrium.