ON THE EIGENVALUE TORSIONAL BUCKLING BY FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF CFRP COMPOSITE SHAFTS SUBJECTED TO TORQUE WITH AN IMPOSED TRANSVERSAL DISPLACEMENT

Abstract

In this paper, a FE computational model based on the eigenvalue procedure was developed to predict the torsional buckling capacity of CFRP shafts. The FE model was validated based on a detailed convergence study as well as against experimental results reported in literature for five particular composite shaft’s configurations. Several valuable recommendations related to the size and type of finite elements along with the appropriate application of boundary conditions to properly simulate the constraints at the supporting ends are provided. To investigate the influence of unavoidable imperfections of support settlements on torsional stability behavior of CFRP shafts, the FE model was updated by imposing a transverse displacement to the torque moment application end-point. Some quantitative results of torque capacity decrement relative to the fiber orientation and stacking sequence for the particular shaft’s configurations in question are also reported.