Tailoring snap-through loads in variable stiffness composites

Snap-through of multistable composites is a complex phenomenon that is difficult to characterize using simple analytical models. However, it is of paramount importance that the snap-through forces are accurately predicted if they are to be used in morphing structures. In this work, an accurate yet computationally fast model is proposed that computes the snap-through forces of variable stiffness (VS) laminates. The compatibility and the inplane equilibrium equations are first solved using differential quadrature method (DQM), and consequently, the in-plane stresses are written in terms of curvatures. The out-of-plane displacements are expressed in the form of Legendre functions, where the unknown coefficients of the displacement function are found using the Rayleigh-Ritz formulation. The calculated snap-through loads are then compared with Finite Element (FE) results.