The paper presents a comparison between two existing zigzag functions that are used to improve equivalent single layer (ESL) theories for the analysis of multilayered composite and sandwich beams. ESL theories are easy to implement and computationally affordable but, in order to correctly describe the mechanical behavior of laminated structures (especially those exhibiting high transverse anisotropy or high thickness-to-side length ratios), the displacement field needs to be enriched by a through-the-thickness piecewise linear contribution denoted as “zigzag.” The zigzag term of the displacement field is used to model the local distortion of the cross section in each lamina of multilayered structures and is related to the continuity of transverse stresses. The paper considers two zigzag functions that have been proposed in the open literature (namely Murakami's zigzag function and the refined zigzag function) and compares their performances when they are used to improve the classical Timoshenko beam theory; both displacement-based and mixed formulations are considered. To the best of the author's knowledge, such a comparative study has never been published. The problem of a simply supported beam subjected to a transverse distributed load is considered as a test case. Several stacking sequences, ranging from monolithic to sandwich-like and from symmetric to arbitrary, are considered. The special case of laminates with external weak layers is also investigated and the effects of these lay-ups on the derivation of the refined zigzag function are analyzed for the first time. The capability of the tested zigzag functions to help evaluate the overall deflection and model the through-the-thickness distribution of the axial displacement and stress is investigated. It has been recognized that the refined zigzag function is more accurate, especially for unsymmetric and arbitrary lay-ups and can be adopted to efficiently introduce zigzag kinematics into any ESL theory.
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and Aerospace Engineering,
Politecnico di Torino,
Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24,
Torino 10129,
e-mail: marco.gherlone@polito.it
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November 2013
Research-Article
On the Use of Zigzag Functions in Equivalent Single Layer Theories for Laminated Composite and Sandwich Beams: A Comparative Study and Some Observations on External Weak Layers
Marco Gherlone
and Aerospace Engineering,
Politecnico di Torino,
Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24,
Torino 10129,
e-mail: marco.gherlone@polito.it
Marco Gherlone
Department of Mechanical
and Aerospace Engineering,
Politecnico di Torino,
Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24,
Torino 10129,
Italy
e-mail: marco.gherlone@polito.it
Search for other works by this author on:
Marco Gherlone
Department of Mechanical
and Aerospace Engineering,
Politecnico di Torino,
Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24,
Torino 10129,
Italy
e-mail: marco.gherlone@polito.it
Manuscript received June 13, 2012; final manuscript received February 6, 2013; accepted manuscript posted February 19, 2013; published online August 19, 2013. Assoc. Editor: George Kardomateas.
J. Appl. Mech. Nov 2013, 80(6): 061004 (19 pages)
Published Online: August 19, 2013
Article history
Received:
June 13, 2012
Revision Received:
February 6, 2013
Accepted:
February 6, 2013
Citation
Gherlone, M. (August 19, 2013). "On the Use of Zigzag Functions in Equivalent Single Layer Theories for Laminated Composite and Sandwich Beams: A Comparative Study and Some Observations on External Weak Layers." ASME. J. Appl. Mech. November 2013; 80(6): 061004. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4023690
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