Abstract
The present research deals with the linear static behavior of soft-core sandwich plates and shells. The external skins are reinforced by curvilinear fibers. Their curved paths are described by a general mathematical law that allows the definition of arbitrary placements. The mechanical behavior of these structures is modeled through several Higher-order Shear Deformation Theories (HSDTs) including the zig-zag effect, based on an Equivalent Single Layer (ESL) approach. The solution of the governing equations is achieved numerically by means of the Generalized Differential Quadrature (GDQ) method. A huge number of parametric investigations is proposed in graphical and tabular forms to highlight the influence of the fiber orientation on the static response. The results prove that the structural behavior is affected by such parameters. Thus, the desired structural behavior can be modified by means of a proper choice of the fiber orientation.
Highlights
Advanced composite materials are mainly developed to design stiffer and lighter structures, characterized by an improved and more efficient mechanical behavior
Structures characterized by variable mechanical properties arose precisely for this purpose
The present paper can be placed in this context, since it deals with variable stiffness sandwich plates and shells made of fiber-reinforced layers
Summary
Advanced composite materials are mainly developed to design stiffer and lighter structures, characterized by an improved and more efficient mechanical behavior. The present paper can be placed in this context, since it deals with variable stiffness sandwich plates and shells made of fiber-reinforced layers. Akhavan and Ribeiro [72] investigated the natural frequencies and vibrational modes of variable-stiffness laminated composite plates reinforced by curvilinear fibers by means of a p-version finite element approach. Akhavan and Ribeiro [82] developed a third-order shear deformation theory to study the geometrically nonlinear periodic forced vibrations of imperfect laminates reinforced by curvilinear fibers To this aim, a p-version finite element method was used. A theoretical framework based on higher-order theories was developed by Tornabene et al [89,90] for the free vibration and static analyses of doubly-curved laminated composite shells reinforced by curvilinear fibers placed according to classical schemes. The radii of curvature R1, R2 of the shell middle surface can be calculated through the following relations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
