Title: Design and analysis of a composite beam for infrastructure applications - Part III: Experimental results and non-linear FE analysis

Authors: Mario Springolo, Amar Khennane, Gerard Van Erp

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering and Surveying, The University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia. ' Faculty of Engineering and Surveying, The University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia. ' Fibre Composite Design and Development Centre, The University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia

Abstract: Using the analytical approaches developed, the cross section of the new fibre composite beam described in the prequels to this paper is designed in order to avert secondary failure modes. A series of specimens have been built and put through a thorough testing regime to establish the performance of the beam. To gain confidence in the analytical models and achieve further understanding of the beam behaviour, a rigorous non-linear finite element analysis is also presented. It was found that the analytical model agreed relatively well with the experiment and the FE analysis, thus validating the underlying assumptions.

Keywords: ABAQUS; bending; composite beams; nonlinear finite elements; Python; lateral buckling; lateral torsion; moment-shear interaction; shear resistance; design; beam prototype; Timoshenko beam theory; Timoshenko plate theory; transformed sections; finite element analysis; FEA; fibre reinforced polymer composites; FRP composites.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2006.008887

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2006 Vol.25 No.4, pp.331 - 346

Published online: 02 Feb 2006 *

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