NONLINEAR-ANALYSIS OF ORTHOTROPIC BEAMS OF SOLID CROSS-SECTIONS

The paper presents a nonlinear formulation and a finite-differences ba sed numerical solution for the structural behavior of generic orthotro pic beams of solid cross-sections. The analysis includes a detailed de scription of the three-dimensional out-of-plane warping and the soluti on is achieved by successive iterations while preserving all geometric al nonlinearities. The axial body forces are introduced consistently t hrough the axial differential equilibrium equation. The formulation yi elds some basic closed-form analytic solutions for homogeneous beams, and the numerical results provide an insight into the coupling effects mechanisms in generic laminated composite beams, including the result ing interlaminar stresses.