STEEL AND COMPOSITE STRUCTURES, vol.19, no.3, pp.635-659, 2015 (SCI-Expanded)
In this study, natural frequency analysis of a large deflected cantilever laminated composite beam fixed at both ends, which forms the case of a pre-stressed curved beam, is investigated. The laminated beam is considered to have symmetric and asymmetric lay-ups and the effective flexural modulus of the beam is used in the analysis. In order to obtain the pre-stressed composite curved beam case, an external vertical concentrated load is applied at the free end of a cantilever laminated composite beam and then the loading point of the deflected beam is fixed. The non-linear deflection curve of the flexible beam undergoing large deflection is obtained by the Reversion Method. The curved laminated composite beam is modeled by using the Finite Element Method with a straight-beam element approach. The effects of orientation angle and vertical load on the natural frequency parameter for the first four modes are examined and the results obtained are given in graphics. It has been found that the effect of the load parameter, which forms the curved laminated beam, on the natural frequency parameter, almost disappears after a certain value of the load parameter. This certain value differs for each laminated curved beam and each vibration mode.