Exact solution of thermal buckling and post buckling of composite and SMA hybrid composite beam by layerwise theory

The thermal buckling and post-buckling behavior of laminated composite beam reinforced with Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires is explored. The thermo-mechanical behavior of embedded SMA wires is formulated based on one-dimensional Brinson SMA model. Using a variational approach, the Layer-Wise Theory (LWT) of beams is employed to develop the governing equations. The von Karman strain-displacement relations are used to account for the large deflection effects. A closed-form solution of the resulting systems of nonlinear equations is represented. Exemplary case studies are assessed by comparing with available literature. Considering symmetric and antisymmetric layups, the influence of thickness/span ratio, degree of anisotropy, SMA pre-strain and volume fraction upon the buckling and post-buckling of thick composite and hybrid composite beams are examined and discussed in detail.