A yield curve for bi-material structures and its application in energy absorption analysis of FML beam

The yield curve for bi-material structures is proposed and applied to energy absorption analysis of fully clamped FML beam with CFRP and metal under transverse load. Firstly, fully clamped FML beam tests under transverse loading are performed to acquire the energy absorption response. Then, a unified yield criterion for bi-material structures, that contains metal and fiber reinforced plastic and CFRP has asymmetry properties under tensile and compressive load, is established and discussed. Based on the yield criterion, a theoretical analytical model for the large deformation to predict energy absorption of fully clamped FML beams with shear angle-ply under the transverse load is developed. Finally, comparison of results obtained by theoretical solution and experiments show that the theoretical analysis can predict the energy absorption capacities of FML beams. In addition, effect of significant parameters on yield curves and energy absorption capacity are discussed.