Nonlinear stability of bio-inspired composite beams with higher order shear theory

This manuscript presents a comprehensive mathematical model to investigate buckling stability and postbuckling response of bio-inspired composite beams with helicoidal orientations. The higher order shear deformation theory as well as the Timoshenko beam theories are exploited to include the shear influence. The equilibrium nonlinear integro-differential equations of helicoidal composite beams are derived in detail using the energy conservation principle. Differential integral quadrature method (DIQM) is employed to discretize the nonlinear system of differential equations and solve them via the Newton iterative method then obtain the response of helicoidal composite beam. Numerical calculations are carried out to check the validity of the present solution methodology and to quantify the effects of helicoidal rotation angle, elastic foundation constants, beam theories, geometric and material properties on buckling, postbuckling of bio-inspired helicoidal composite beams. The developed model can be employed in design and analysis of curved helicoidal composite beam used in aerospace and naval structures.