Buckling and stability analysis of sandwich beams subjected to varying axial loads

This article presented a comprehensive model to study static buckling stability and associated mode-shapes of higher shear deformation theories of sandwich laminated composite beam under the compression of varying axial load function. Four higher order shear deformation beam theories are considered in formulation and analysis. So, the model can consider the influence of both thick and thin beams without needing to shear correction factor. The compression force can be described through axial direction by uniform constant, linear and parabolic distribution functions. The Hamilton's principle is exploited to derive equilibrium governing equations of unified sandwich laminated beams. The governing equilibrium differential equations are transformed to algebraic system of equations by using numerical differential quadrature method (DQM). The system of equations is solved as an eigenvalue problem to get critical buckling loads and their corresponding mode-shapes. The stability of DQM in determining of buckling loads of sandwich structure is performed. The validation studies are achieved and the obtained results are matched with those. Parametric studies are presented to figure out effects of in-plane load type, sandwich thickness, fiber orientation and boundary conditions on buckling loads and mode-shapes. The present model is important in designing process of aircraft, naval structural components, and naval structural when non-uniform in-plane compressive loading is dominated.