Accurate evaluation of bending stiffness is important for better prediction of deflection, buckling load, and vibration response of structures. This paper presents two new approaches based upon laminated plate and shell theories for calculating the bending stiffness of circular tube made of fiber reinforced composites. Both new approaches account for the ply orientation due to radius curvature. The conventional approach using the laminate smear property is also included for purpose of comparison. Finite element analysis was conducted and the results were used for comparison.
