Thermal post-buckling and flutter characteristics of composite plates embedded with shape memory alloy fibers

It is investigated that the composite plate embedded with shape memory alloy (SMA) fibers is subject to the aerodynamic and thermal loading in the supersonic region. The nonlinear finite element equations based on the first-order shear deformation plate theory (FSDT) are formulated for the laminated composite plate embedded with SMA fibers (SMA composite plate). The von Karman strain-displacement relation is used to account for the large deflection. The incremental method considering the influence of the initial deflections and initial stresses is adopted for the temperature-dependent material properties of SMA fibers and composite matrix. The first-order piston theory is used for modeling aerodynamic loads. This study shows the effect of the SMA on the critical temperature, thermal post-buckling deflection, natural frequency and critical dynamic pressure of the SMA composite plate. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.