THE BRAZIER EFFECT FOR FINITE-LENGTH COMPOSITE CYLINDERS UNDER BENDING

The derivation for the nonlinear bending response of finite length com posite tubes exhibiting cross-sectional deformations associated with B razier's flattening effect is presented using classical shell theory. Semi-membrane constitutive theory is used to simplify the analysis and local buckling on the compressive side of the tube :is investigated b ased on the axial stress and local curvature on the compressive side o f the cylinder. The nonlinear system is solved numerically and results are obtained for various combinations of material and geometric param eters as well as end conditions. Results of the present investigation are compared with published finite element solutions and approximate a nalytical solutions for the Brazier effect of finite length tubes. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.