Flexural–torsional behavior of thin-walled composite space frames

A general analytical model based on the first-order shear deformable beam theory applicable to thin-walled composite space frames with arbitrary lay-ups under external loads is presented. This model accounts for all the structural coupling coming from the material anisotropy. The seven governing equations are derived from the principle of the stationary value of total potential energy. A displacement-based one-dimensional 14 degree-of-freedom space beam model which includes the effects of shear deformation, warping is developed to solve the problem. Numerical results are obtained to investigate the effects of fiber orientation on flexural–torsional responses of thin-walled composite space frame under vertical load.