Nonlinear in-plane elastic buckling of a laminated circular shallow arch subjected to a central concentrated load

This paper investigates the in-plane elastic buckling of a laminated shallow circular arch subjected to a central concentrated load based on the classical laminated theory (CLT). Nonlinear equilibrium equation is established by using the principle of minimum potential energy, from which analytical solutions of the nonlinear in-plane elastic equilibrium path and buckling load are derived for laminated circular shallow fixed arches fixed. The critical modified slenderness ratio which switches the buckling characteristics is also obtained. The finite element (FE) simulation and experiments employing displacement control are conducted to verify the accuracy of the analytical solutions. A parametric study is then carried out and results are presented in both tabular and graphical forms to analyze the effects of the ply angle and thickness of laminates, and rise-span ratio of the arch on the critical bucking load and nonlinear equilibrium path of laminated arches.