A variational approach to loaded ply structures

G.H.M. van der Heijden, J.M.T. Thompson & S. Neukirch

We show how an energy analysis can be used to derive the equilibrium equation and boundary conditions for an end-loaded variable ply much more efficiently than was done in previous works. Numerical results are then presented for a clamped balanced ply approaching lock-up. We also use the energy method to derive the equations for a more general ply made of imperfect anisotropic rods and briefly consider their helical solutions.

keywords: loaded ply, variational calculus, clamped boundary conditions, anisotropic rod, helix

Journal of Vibration and Control 9, 175-185 (2003)