Analytical calculation method for the axial equivalent elastic modulus of laminated FRP pipes based on three dimensional stress state

Abstract

In engineering design, the axial equivalent elastic modulus of laminated FRP pipe was mostly calculated by the average elastic modulus method or the classical laminated plate theory method, which are based on relatively simplified assumptions, and may be not accurate enough sometimes. A new analytical calculation method for the axial equivalent elastic modulus of laminated FRP pipe was established based on three-dimensional stress state. By comparing the results calculated by this method with those by the above two traditional analytical methods and the finite element method, it is found that this method for the axial equivalent elastic modulus fits well not only for thin-walled pipes with orthotropic layers, but also for thick-walled pipes with arbitrary layers. Besides, the influence of the layer stacking on the axial equivalent elastic modulus was studied with this method. It is found that a proper content of circumferential layer is beneficial for improving the axial equivalent elastic modulus of the laminated FRP pipe with oblique layers, and then can reduce its material quantity under the premise that its axial stiffness remains unchanged. Finally, the meso-mechanical mechanism of this effect was analyzed. The improving effect of circumferential layer on the axial equivalent elastic modulus of the laminated FRP pipe with oblique layers is mainly because that, the circumferential fibers can restrain the rigid body rotations of the oblique fibers, which tend to cause the significant deformations of the pipe wall units and the relatively low axial equivalent elastic modulus of the pipe.