Nonlinear Deflection Characteristics of Weakly Bonded Curved Composite Structure Under Hygro-Thermo-Mechanical Loadings

Abstract

A customized MATLAB algorithm is developed for internally separated laminated composite panels experiencing large geometric deformations. The algorithm is designed to calculate nonlinear deflection responses under the effect of combined hygro-thermo-mechanical (HTM) loading. The hygrothermal (HT) load on the panel is in-plane, whereas the mechanical load acts upon the structure transversely. The analysis has adopted various kinematic theories and finite element (FE) techniques to determine the deformations computationally. The deflection behavior of the composite is characterized through a macro mechanical model considering the nonlinearity in geometry with and without accounting for the stretching effects across the panel thickness. Additionally, the changes in composite properties due to the environment and/or loadings are adopted to achieve a realistic response, preserving continuity assumptions between the individual layers of the weakly bonded structure. Moreover, various numerical examples are examined through different models to illustrate the influences of environmental factors and design-specific parameters on the flexural strength of weakly bonded structures. The findings strongly emphasize the necessity of employing diverse kinematic models when examining laminated structures, both with and without HT loading, while also acknowledging the potential for debonding.