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

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.