THEORIES AND ANALYSES OF THIN AND MODERATELY THICK LAMINATED COMPOSITE CURVED BEAMS

A complete and consistent set of equations is derived for the analysis of laminated composite curved beams and closed rings. Equations are d eveloped for thin and moderately thick curved beams. Rotary inertia an d shear deformation as well as accurate kinematic relations are includ ed in the moderately thick beam equations. Natural frequencies for sim ply-supported curved beams are obtained by exact solutions. Extension- bending coupling due to unsymmetric lamination is distinguished from t hat due to curvature. Effects of shear deformation, rotary inertia, cu rvature and thickness ratios, and material orthotropy on the natural f requencies are studied.