STABILITY OF POLYMER FIBER-COMPOSITE CONTINUUM SKELETAL STRUCTURAL UNITS UNDER INPLANE LOADING

Specific polymer/fibre composite continuum/skeletal structures under i n-plane concentrated loading are investigated. Different configuration s of skeletal frames are connected to the continuum at nodal joints an d are analysed using the non-linear load-displacement finite element m ethod to find the optimum structure. Two experimental models of the op timum structure have been tested and the results are compared with the finite element analysis; good agreement between the two techniques ha s been demonstrated. Finally, a parameter study on the optimum configu ration has been carried out.