Journal of South China University of Technology(Natural Science Edition) ›› 2025, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (7): 139-148.doi: 10.12141/j.issn.1000-565X.240353

• Architecture & Civil Engineering • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Bistable Behaviors of Composite Thin Cylindrical Shell in Complex Environment

WU Yaopeng1,2, YANG Quan1, LIU Ying1   

  1. 1.School of Civil Engineering,Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology,Xi’an 710055,Shaanxi,China
    2.Key Lab of Structural Engineering and Earthquake Resistance of Ministry of Education (XAUAT),Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology,Xi’an 710055,Shaanxi,China
  • Received:2024-07-02 Online:2025-07-25 Published:2025-02-28
  • About author:吴耀鹏(1979 —),男,博士,副教授,主要从事复合材料结构的力学性能研究。E-mail: wyp@xauat.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    the Natural Science Basic Research Project of Shaanxi Province(2023-JC-YB435)

Abstract:

Bistable composite structures are a novel type of deployable structure widely used across various fields. However, in complex service environments, changes in material properties may occur, which can in turn affect the bistable characteristics of the structure. By integrating theoretical and numerical studies, this study established a theoretical model of a composite cylindrical shell structure incorporating thermal and hygrothermal expansion coefficients. And it derived an analytical expression for the strain energy of the cylindrical shell under complex environmental conditions. Based on the principle of minimum potential energy, a bistable theoretical model considering the effects of temperature and humidity was developed. The influence of environmental parameters on the second stable-state strain energy, principal curvature, and twist curvature of cylindrical shells made from T700/Epoxy, T300/5028 Graphite-Epoxy, and AS7/M21 carbon fiber/epoxy composites was investigated. Using ABAQUS software, a finite element model of the cylindrical shell was built to numerically simulate the bistable deformation process, and the variations in second stable-state strain energy, principal curvature, and twist curvature under different temperature and humidity conditions were obtained. The numerical results were compared with the theoretical predictions. The results show that under temperature ranges of 20 ℃ to 120 ℃ and humidity levels from 0.0 to 1.0%, the maximum strain energy decreases by up to 32.7% and 9.1% for T700/Epoxy and AS7/M21, respectively, while the strain energy of T300/5028 Graphite-Epoxy increases by up to 914.6%. The principal curvatures of T700/Epoxy and T300/5028 Graphite-Epoxy show high sensitivity to temperature, with maximum increases of approximately 17% and 14%, respectively, whereas AS7/M21 exhibits variations of less than 5%. In terms of anti-twisting performance, T700/Epoxy and T300/5028 experience significant fluctuations under high temperature and humidity, while AS7/M21 maintains good stability. The combination of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation indicates that high temperature and humidity significantly affect the bistable performance of composite structures. By quantitatively analyzing the mechanical properties of composite materials under different temperature and humidity conditions, a scientific basis can be provided for material selection and environmental optimization of bistable structures, thereby contributing to improved reliability and durability in structural design.

Key words: bistable, composite, cylindrical shell structure, complex environment, curvature

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