Snap-through load improvement of bistable composite shell with initial curvature by an adjustive angle

Abstract

Bistable composite shells with an initial curvature have been extensively studied owing to their light weight and morphing. The bistable behaviour is influenced by the thermal residual stress generated during the manufacturing of bistable composite shells with initial curvature. Hence, this study proposes a method based on an adjustive angle to improve the snap-through load and enhance the load-bearing capacity of bistable composite shells with an initial curvature. The critical snap-through and snap-back loads at different adjustive angles are obtained by experiments and the finite element method, while the adjustive angle for the maximum critical load is captured. Moreover, the effect of the initial radius on the adjustive angle is provided, and the load displacement after adjustment at different radii and cross-section angles are presented.