Analytical solution of short guided orthotropic composite columns under eccentric loading using displacement potential formulation

Abstract

In this paper, short guided columns of orthotropic composite materials are considered in order to analyse their elastic field due to an eccentric compressive loading. The supporting edge of the column is rigidly fixed and fibres are directed along the axis of the column. By a new approach of displacement potential formulation, the present mixed boundary value elastic problem is expressed in terms of a single potential function. Displacement and stress components are derived into infinite series using Fourier integral with the coincided boundary conditions along with the physical boundary conditions. Some numerical results of different stress and displacement components at different sections of the column are presented in the form of graphs. The effect of column aspect ratio and material orthotropy on the solution of stresses and displacements at a particular section is also analysed. Finally, analytical results obtained by the present formulation are compared to those of finite-element and finite-difference methods.