Static response of thin-walled composite I-beams loaded at their free-end cross-section: analytical solution

Abstract

Analytical solutions for the static response of anisotropic composite I-beams loaded at their free end are presented. The analysis is accomplished within the framework of the theory of composite thin-walled beams featuring the two main coupling mechanisms, namely, circumferentially uniform stiffness (CUS) and circumferentially asymmetric stiffness (CAS) configurations. Within each of these two configurations, the implications of the directionality property of composite materials, of warping inhibition and transverse shear on the static response of I-beams are highlighted, and final conclusions are outlined.