Variational Principles of Partial-Interaction Composite Beams

Abstract

This work presents the principle of virtual work and reciprocal theorem of partial-interaction composite beams. The principle of minimum potential energy is also obtained and proved along with the variational formulae for the frequency of free vibration and the critical load of buckling of partial-interaction composite beams. Approximate solutions for bending, vibration, and buckling are finally given to demonstrate their applications. It is shown that the deflections, resonant frequencies, and critical loads of buckling of composite beams under different boundary conditions can be readily obtained with enough accuracy by using these variational principles.