ON THE MECHANICS OF THIN-WALLED LAMINATED COMPOSITE BEAMS

A formal engineering approach of the mechanics of thin-walled laminate d beams based on kinematic assumptions consistent with Timoshenko beam theory is presented. Thin-walled composite beams with open or closed cross section subjected to bending and axial load are considered. A va riational formulation is employed to obtain a comprehensive descriptio n of the structural response. Beam stiffness coefficients, which accou nt for the cross section geometry and for the material anisotropy, are obtained. An explicit expression for the static shear correction fact or of thin-walled composite beams is derived from energy equivalence. A numerical example involving a laminated 1-beam is used to demonstrat e the capability of the model for predicting displacements and ply str esses.