The Influence of the Layer Arrangement on the Distortional Post-Buckling Behavior of Open Section Beams

The paper deals with the design of the stacking sequence of layers in the laminate beams with open-cross sections in order to create the desired behavior in the post-buckling range. Laminate beams with channel and lipped channel cross-sections made of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminate with different layer arrangements (symmetrical and nonsymmetrical) have been considered. In case of the nonsymmetrical stacking sequences, hygro-thermally curvature stable (HTCS) laminates have been taken into account. Pure bending was assumed as the type of load. In the case of beams with open cross-sections, this load type can cause the lateral-distortional buckling mode. A parametric study was performed to analyze the influence of layer arrangement on post-buckling behavior. The finite element method was used to developed numerical models and conduct simulations. Additionally, the experimental tests of the channel section beams were performed in order to validate the developed numerical models.