2-D elasticity solutions of two-layer composite beams with an arbitrarily shaped interface

Based on the two-dimensional (2-D) elasticity equations, an analytical model for analyzing simply supported two-layer composite beams with an arbitrarily shaped interface under transverse load is proposed. By using Fourier series expansion, the solution of stresses and displacements for the beam is obtained. In numerical examples, the convergence of the solution is demonstrated and the solution shows a good agreement with the solution obtained from the finite element software. Numerical examples also show that geometric parameters of the interface have an effect on the distributions of stresses and displacements of the beam. By choosing suitable geometric parameters of the interface and without changing the amount of materials, some variables about stresses and displacements can have significant decreases in comparison with those of traditional composite beams with horizontal interfaces.