A complex Fourier series solution for buckling of VAT composite laminates with elastically restrained edges

Abstract

Variable Angle Tow (VAT) composites have general anisotropic characteristics, and their fiber orientation angle varies continuously along an arbitrary direction. Therefore, the investigation of their buckling performance is quite challenging. Different from the commonly used numerical methods, a new method called complex Fourier series solution is proposed to study the buckling of VAT laminates with elastically restrained edges. First the prebuckling analysis is achieved by introducing Airy’s stress function and expanding it into a complex Fourier series form. And the corresponding mid-plane internal forces with non-uniform distribution are determined. Based on classical laminated plate theory, the buckling analysis of VAT laminate is carried out. The transverse displacement is also expressed as a complex Fourier series. And the critical buckling load and buckling mode shape of VAT laminate are obtained. The accuracy of the presented complex Fourier series solution is verified by comparing with the existing results. The influence of fiber orientation angles, boundary stiffness and boundary conditions on the critical buckling load and buckling mode shape is investigated in numerical examples. Results show that boundary stiffness as well as fiber path have great influence on the critical buckling load and buckling mode shape of VAT laminate. By adjusting the fiber orientation angles and the translational stiffness of the elastically restrained boundary can effectively improve the critical buckling load of VAT laminate. This paper provides a new method for the analysis of general anisotropic laminates with in-plane variable stiffness and the present complex Fourier series solution can also be used as a benchmark for the verification of other numerical results.