In this paper, we study the mechanical behaviors of variable-stiffness composite laminates by setting curvilinear fiber paths. We assume that the fiber orientation angles vary linearly with the reference axis. Based on the different fiber paths, we vary the fiber placement formats and the curvilinear fiber orientation angles of the composite laminates, and then make the simulation for the buckling loads of the three kinds of laminates: the straight fiber placement, the curvilinear fiber placement and the mixed fiber placement. By comparing and analyzing, we give the best fiber placement format and the curvilinear fiber orientation angle. The study provides references to the design of variable-stiffness composite laminates.
References
1.
WadhartC.Analysis of tow-placed variable-stiffness laminates, Blacksburg, VA: Virginia polytechnic Institute and State University, (1996).
2.
EvansD.O., VanigliaM.M., and HopkinsP.C.Fiber placement process study, 34th International SAMPE Symposium, 34(5) (1989) 1822–1833.
3.
HyerM., and LeeH.The use of curvilinear fiber format to imporve buckling resistance of composite plates with cental circular holes, Composite Structures, 18(3) (1991) 239–261.
4.
NagendraS., KodiyalamS., DavisJ.E., and ParthasarathyV.N.Optimization of tow fiber paths for composite design, Proceedings of the AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC 36th SDM Conference, New Orleans, LA, April 10–13 (1995) 1031–1041.
5.
GürdalZ., and OlmedoR.In-plane response of laminates with spatially varying fiber orientations: variable stiffness concept, AIAA Journal, 31(4) (1993) 751–758.
6.
OlmedoR., and GürdalZ.Buckling response of laminates with spatially varying fiber orientations, Proceedings of 34th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, La Jolla, CA, April 19–21 (1993) 2261–2269.
7.
SchuelerK., MillerJ., and HaleR.Approximate geometric methods in application to the modeling of fiber placed composite structures, Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 4(3) (2004) 251–256.
8.
TurnerA.M., KabcheJ.P., PetersonM.L., and DavidsW.G.Tension/torsion testing of inflatable fabric tubes, Exp. Techniques, 32(2) (2008) 47–52.
9.
WuK.C., and GürdalZ.Thermal testing of tow-placed variable stiffness panels, Proceedings of the 42nd AIAA/ASME/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials (SDM) Conference, AIAA, Seattle, WA, USA, April (2001).
10.
PaulM., WeaverK., and PotterD.Buckling of variable angle tow plates: from concept to experiment, 50th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, Palm Springs, California, 17th May (2009).
11.
AgnesB.Fiber-placed variable-stiffness composite: the future of aerospace structures, 17 (2010) 64–65.
12.
TattingB., and GürdalZ.Design and manufacture of elastically tailored tow placed plates, Tech. rep., NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, (2002).
13.
TattingB., and GürdalZ.Automated finite element analysis of elastically tailored plates, Tech. rep., NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, (2003).
14.
LopesC.S., GürdalZ., and CamanhoP.P.Variable-stiffness composite panels: buckling and first-ply failure improvements over straight fibre laminates, Computers and Structures, 86 (2008) 897–907.
15.
LopesC.S., CamanhoP.P., GürdalZ., and TattingB.F.Progressive failure analysis of tow-placed variable-stiffness composite panels, International Journal of Solids and Structure, 44(25–26) (2007) 8493–8516.
