Finite element dynamic analysis of unsymmetric composite laminated beams with shear effect and rotary inertia under the action of moving loads

The finite element dynamic response of an unsymmetric composite laminated orthotropic beam, subjected to moving loads, has been studied. One-dimensional finite element based on classical lamination theory, first-order shear deformation theory, and higher-order shear deformation theory having 16, 20 and 24 degrees of freedom, respectively, are developed to study the effects of extension, bending, and transverse shear deformation. The theories also account for the Poisson effect, thus, the lateral strains and curvatures can be expressed in terms of the axial and transverse strains and curvatures and the characteristic couplings (bend-stretch, shear-stretch and bend-twist couplings) are not lost. The dynamic response of symmetric cross-ply and unsymmetric angle-ply laminated beams under the action of a moving load have been compared to the results of an isotropic simple beam. The formulation also has been applied to the static and free vibration analysis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.