Analysis of thick hollow composite beams under general loadings

Abstract A theory is presented for hollow composite beams with arbitrary crosssection and thick walls. This model is applied to slender cantilever composite beams with circular and rectangular cross-sections subjected to torsion, tension, shear, and combined loadings. The present theory efficiently accounts for transverse shear, primary and secondary torsional warping, and three-dimensional (3D) elastic effects in laminated beam walls which are accentuated as the wall thickness increases. The numerical results from the present approach are compared with available experimental data, other analytical results, and 3D finite element analysis. Good correlation between the present theory and other results is achieved for all test cases, regardless of wall thickness.

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