Buckling analysis of laminated composite curved panels reinforced with linear and non-linear distribution of Shape Memory Alloys

• By increasing the radius of curvature, the effect of embedded SMA fibers in buckling load increases while buckling load decreases.
• In equivalent combined loadings, the buckling load increases up to 300% for reinforcement of SMA fibers in circumferential direction of laminated composite curved panel.
• For small opening angles, appropriate non-uniform distribution of SMA fibers can lead up to 40% increase in buckling load from the base case of uniform distribution. In large opening angles the increase is limited to 15%.

In the present study, the buckling of laminated composite curved panels embedded with Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) fibers under different geometrical conditions was studied. The buckling load of curved panels subjected to axial, lateral and mixed loads was analyzed. Different distributions of SMA fibers were considered. The optimized reinforcement of curved panel using SMA fibers based on different opening angles was studied. The sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the effect of the variables of fiber distribution function on critical buckling load of the panel. The results indicate that by increasing the radius, the buckling load for both axial and lateral loadings decreases, while the share of SMA fibers on buckling load increases. The result shows the possibility of buckling load enhancement by optimized distribution of SMA fibers in both flat and curved panels. In addition, sensitivity analysis shows that critical buckling is very sensitive to the coefficient of higher non-uniform distributions.