VABS: A New Concept for Composite Rotor Blade Cross-Sectional Modeling

An efficient beam element for the analysis of laminated composite beams of thin-walled open and closed cross sections

“…The figures show an excellent agreement between the results of the approach proposed herein and the results given in [5,22,23]. 3 , while that of the left and right walls is (45/-45) 3 . The material properties of all layers are assumed to be identical and the same as those adopted in the previous example (I beam).…”

“…A few representative studies relevant to the present context are given in [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. One of the initial applications of composite beam theory was found in the analysis of helicopter rotor blades.…”

“…The first and most common approach is based on an analytical technique, while the other approach requires a two-dimensional finite element analysis to obtain the cross-section stiffness matrix. Hodges and co-workers [3] pioneered the second approach, which is referred to as the so-called variational asymptotic beam section analysis (VABS). It is based on a method known as the variational asymptotic method (VAM) [11], where the three dimensional elasticity problem is systematically divided into a two dimensional cross-sectional problem, and a one dimensional beam problem (length direction).…”

Two-noded zigzag beam element accounting for shear effects based on an extended Euler Bernoulli theory

“…Some of the most relevant works are the Variational Asymptotic Beam Section Analysis (VABS) [34], the Generalized Beam theories (GBT) [35] and the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF) [36].…”

Consistent structural linearisation in flexible-body dynamics with large rigid-body motion

“…Moreover, an increase in flexibility of load carrying structures has been catalysed by the use of composite materials, which has required a parallel effort in developing geometrically-nonlinear composite beam models. Those are typically based on a two step procedure: first, a process of dimensional reduction (homogenisation) in which the three-dimensional composite structure is reduced to averaged properties along the reference line [1][2][3][4], and second the solution of the one-dimensional dynamic equations of motion on the homogenised structure (the composite beam) [5][6][7][8]. The literature on composite beam modelling is quite extensive and it is not the purpose here to present a comprehensive review, which can be found, for instance, in the monograph on the topic by Hodges [9].…”