Dynamic stability of smart sandwich beams with electro-rheological core resting on elastic foundation

Abstract

This article focuses on dynamic stability of smart sandwich beams resting on Winkler<br><br>elastic foundation subjected to harmonic axial loads. To increase the dynamic buckling<br><br>load and the stability region of the beam, an electro-rheological layer is adhered as a<br><br>core. The finite element method is employed to derive a three layer smart sandwich<br><br>beam element. By inspecting dynamic response of the beam in different load amplitudes,<br><br>critical dynamic loads are calculated. Parametric study is done to investigate effects of<br><br>various parameters such as beam geometry, foundation stiffness, static load, applied<br><br>voltage and properties of core layer on critical dynamic loads and stability regions of the<br><br>beam. This study indicates that by applying electric field to the electro-rheological core,<br><br>dynamic critical load and consequently, dynamic stability of the beam increase efficiently.<br><br>Furthermore, the elastic foundation reduces the unstable region and increases the<br><br>critical dynamic load of the smart beam. Proper use of these parameters makes the<br><br>beam less sensitive to axial harmonic loading by relocating the instability region.