• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.759-772
• /
• 2023

This manuscript presents a comprehensive mathematical model to investigate buckling stability and postbuckling response of bio-inspired composite beams with helicoidal orientations. The higher order shear deformation theory as well as the Timoshenko beam theories are exploited to include the shear influence. The equilibrium nonlinear integro-differential equations of helicoidal composite beams are derived in detail using the energy conservation principle. Differential integral quadrature method (DIQM) is employed to discretize the nonlinear system of differential equations and solve them via the Newton iterative method then obtain the response of helicoidal composite beam. Numerical calculations are carried out to check the validity of the present solution methodology and to quantify the effects of helicoidal rotation angle, elastic foundation constants, beam theories, geometric and material properties on buckling, postbuckling of bio-inspired helicoidal composite beams. The developed model can be employed in design and analysis of curved helicoidal composite beam used in aerospace and naval structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.25-43
• /
• 2024

In this article, a mathematical model is developed to predict the dynamic behavior of bio-inspired composite beam with helicoidal orientation scheme under variable axial load using a unified higher order shear deformation beam theory. The geometrical kinematic relations of displacements are portrayed with higher parabolic shear deformation beam theory. Constitutive equation of composite beam is proposed based on plane stress problem. The variable axial load is distributed through the axial direction by constant, linear, and parabolic functions. The equations of motion and associated boundary conditions are derived in detail by Hamilton's principle. Using the differential quadrature method (DQM), the governing equations, which are integro-differential equations are discretized in spatial direction, then they are transformed into linear eigenvalue problems. The proposed model is verified with previous works available in literatures. Parametric analyses are developed to present the influence of axial load type, orthotropic ratio, slenderness ratio, lamination scheme, and boundary conditions on the natural frequencies of composite beam structures. The present enhanced model can be used especially in designing spacecrafts, naval, automotive, helicopter, the wind turbine, musical instruments, and civil structures subjected to the variable axial loads.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.105-117
• /
• 2022

Impact resistance efficiency of the newly designed sandwich beam with a laterally arched core as bio-inspired by the woodpecker is numerically investigated. The principal components of the beam comprise a dual-core system sandwiched by the top and bottom laminated CFRP skins. Different materials, including hot melt adhesive, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), epoxy resin (EPON862), aluminum (Al6061), and mild carbon steel (AISI1018), are considered for the side-arched core layer of the beam for impact efficiency assessment. The aluminum honeycomb takes the role of the second core. Contact force, stress, damage formation, and impact energy for beams equipped with different materials are examined. A diversity in performance superiority is noticed in each of these indicators for different core materials. Therefore, for overall performance appraisal, the impact resistance efficiency index, which covers several chief impact performance parameters, of each sandwich beam is computed and compared. The impact resistance efficiency index of the structure equipped with the AISI1018 core is found to be the highest, about 3-10 times greater than other specimens, thus demonstrating its efficacy as the optimal material for the bio-inspired dual-core sandwich beam system.