Torsional analysis of multi-cell multi-tapered composite beams with cantilever configuration.

The structural performance of thin walled multi-cell multi-tapered (discrete variation of tapered angles at any point along the beam length) composite beams subjected to constrained torsional loading is examined in this paper. A simplified analytical procedure for determining the constrained torsional response of a particular class of thin walled multi-cell multi-tapered composite beams is explained in some detail. The constrained condition analyzed is that of the cantilevered multi-cell multi-tapered beam with torque applied at the free end of the beam. In order to avoid the elastic couplings between bending, torsion and axial effects in the beams, laminates are layed-up symmetrically about their own mid-planes in such a manner that they possess in-plane orthotropy. The analysis approach essentially makes use of the existing theories of torsion appropriate to non-isotropic nature of composite constructions. The details of the finite element analysis are also included in the paper. The comparisons between the theory and finite element results are shown to give close agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]