Free vibration analyses of axially loaded laminated composite beams using a unified higher-order shear deformation theory and dynamic stiffness method

Free vibration characteristics and buckling behaviors of generally laminated composite beams subjected to the concentrated axial force and various classical end conditions are investigated in this paper. The analysis is based on a unified higher-order shear deformation beam theory. The Poisson effect, axial force, extensional deformation, bending deformation, shear deformation, and rotary inertia are all incorporated in the formulation. The dynamic stiffness method is employed to perform the exact vibration and buckling analyses of laminated composite beams. The dynamic stiffness matrix is developed from the complete analytical solutions of the homogeneous governing differential equations. Numerical results for the natural frequencies and buckling loads of particular laminated beams are presented and compared with previously published results. The effects of shear deformation, axial force and end condition on the natural frequencies, buckling loads and/or mode shapes of the laminated beams are thoroughly analyzed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.