Elastic-plastic stress analysis of thermoplastic composite beams loaded by a single force

In this study an elastic-plastic stress analysis is carried out in a woven thermoplastic fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite cantilever beam loaded by a constant single force at its free end. The expansion of the plastic region and the residual stress component of sigma(x) are determined for 0, 15, 30, and 45 degrees orientation angles. Yielding begins for 0 and 45 degrees orientation angles of both upper and lower surfaces of the beam at the same distances from the free end. An elastic-plastic analysis is carried out for the plastic region, which spreads both at the upper and lower surfaces. The residual stress components are obtained after releasing the external force. The distributions of the residual stress components of sigma(x) are also determined. The intensity of the residual stress components of sigma(x) is maximum at the upper or lower surfaces of the beam.