Non-linear elastic stress analysis in curved composite beams

A one-dimensional theory and a finite element model for the stress analysis of laminated curved beams are presented. The theory accounts for moderately large rotations, moderately large shear strains and a different elastic behaviour of the material in tension and in compression. Use is made of a penalty technique to enforce the perfect bonding condition between the adjacent laminae of the beam. Such a technique offers the possibility to obtain a direct approximation of the interlaminar stress field. Some numerical results are given, in order to show the potential of the geometrically nonlinear finite element model