Bi-Stable Character of Laminated Cylindrical Shells

The bistable properties of laminated shells with graded fibers and the distribution patterns are studied based on an inextensional two-parameter analytical model for cylindrical shells. The fibers are distributed through-thickness in power law from the middle surface to top or bottom surface. The antisymmetric layup is considered for obtaining the second stable configuration of laminated shells. The distribution regulation of the constituent volume fraction has been obtained for the availability of the second stable equilibrium configurations for the antisymmetric layup. The effects of the distribution patterns of the fibers on the bistable configuration of laminated shells are examined.