Effect of structural parameters on design of variable-stiffness composite cylinders made by fiber steering

The effects of radius (R) and aspect ratio (L/R), as two structural parameters, on the structural improvement of the variable stiffness cylinders are also investigated. Keeping the thickness (t) constant, radius (R) is shown to have no considerable effect on the buckling load improvement of the variable stiffness cylinders whereas the aspect ratio (L/R) has a substantial effect on the buckling load improvement. Improvements up to 38.5% are obtained for cylinders with low aspect ratio.