Bending of a five-layered composite beam with consideration of two analytical models

The subject of the work is a five-layered composite beam with clamped ends subjected to a uniformly distributed load along its length. Two analytical models of this beam are developed with consideration of the shear effect. The first model is formulated on the basis of the classical zig-zag theory. Whereas, the second model is developed using an individual nonlinear shear deformation theory with consideration of the classical shear stress formula (called Zhuravsky shear stress). The system of two differential equations of equilibrium for each beam model is obtained based on the principle of stationary total potential energy. These systems of equations are exactly analytically solved. The shear effect function and the maximum deflection are determined for each of these two beam models. Detailed calculations are carried out for exemplary beams of selected dimensionless sizes and material constants. The main goal of the research is to develop two analytical models of this beam, determine the shear effect function, the shear coefficient, and the maximum deflection in the elastic range for each model, as well as to perform a comparative analysis.