Analytical layerwise solution of nonlinear thermal instability of SMA hybrid composite beam under nonuniform temperature condition

Thermal buckling and post-buckling behavior of composite beam reinforced with shape memory alloy (SMA) wires under nonuniform temperature distribution is explored. Thermo-mechanical behavior of SMA wires is formulated by using the one-dimensional Brinson SMA model. Considering von Karman strain-displacement relation, corresponding nonlinear governing equations are obtained and solved analytically. Heat conduction equation is employed and through-the-thickness temperature distribution is obtained by discretization scheme of layerwise method. Influence of SMA-wire positioning across the thickness, temperature distribution, SMA wire pre-straining level and volume fraction of SMAs upon the thermal buckling and post buckling of reinforced beam are examined and discussed in detail.