Abstract
In modern industry, heavy traditional materials are being substituted with light and strong fibre-reinforced polymer composite materials. Bridges and railroads made of composite laminates are considerably affected by traffic loads. Therefore, it is very important to analyse this effect which would find practical applications in engineering designs. This paper explains the theoretical formulation that governs the dynamic response of a composite beam subjected to a moving load. The governing equations for the dynamic effect on the laminated composite bridge beam are explained here. The main theories in the micro–macro modelling of composite laminates are also described in the paper. Within the macro modelling, the Classical Laminate and Shear Deformation Laminate Theory of beams are presented. The symmetric cross-ply laminated bridge, made of boron/epoxy is under consideration. The computational two-dimensional model of the vehicle is adopted. The governing equations for the dynamic effect on the laminated composite bridge beam are explained. The calculation of the time response of the bridge for the characteristic speeds of the vehicle is performed in the environment of the MATLAB software. The maximum dynamic magnification factor for the dynamic analysis of a composite beam is found.
Highlights
The use of polymers in composite materials in modern engineering applications has been increasing rapidly [1]
The elementary or classical laminate theory (CLT) of beams assumes that the transverse shear strains are negligible and plane cross-sections before bending remain plane and normal to the axis of the beam after bending (Bernoulli–Euler beam theory)
If the composite materials have a very low transverse shear modulus compared to their in-plane moduli, the CLT is inadequate for the analysis of dynamic response, and the shear deformation theory must be applied (Timoshenko beam theory)
Summary
The use of polymers in composite materials in modern engineering applications has been increasing rapidly [1]. Fibre-reinforced polymer composites have great potential to replace steel for bridge cables, underground oil extraction, and ocean engineering, owing to their light weight, high strength, and desirable corrosion and fatigue resistance. The heavy beams of traditional materials are gradually being substituted by fibre-reinforced polymer composite beams of lower weight and higher strength. These beams are often considered important elements of structures. If the composite materials have a very low transverse shear modulus compared to their in-plane moduli, the CLT is inadequate for the analysis of dynamic response, and the shear deformation theory must be applied (Timoshenko beam theory). The most significant difference between the classical and first-order shear deformation theory is the effect of including transverse shear deformation
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