Moderately large deflection of slightly curved layered beams with interlayer slip

This paper presents a beam theory for analyzing the static response of slightly curved three-layer beams with interlayer slip. Since the beams are supposed to be immovably supported, membrane stresses develop even at moderately large deflections and the response becomes geometrically nonlinear. The theory is based on a layerwise application of the Euler-Bernoulli theory and a linear elastic constitutive law for the interlaminar displacements. In three application examples, the accuracy of this theory is shown by comparing the results of this theory with the outcomes of a more complex finite element analysis assuming a plane stress state. These application examples demonstrate the effect of a small initial deflection on the nonlinear response of the considered layered structural members.