Dynamics of cantilever hybrid bistable laminate: Experimental and theoretical studies

Hybrid bistable symmetric laminates (HBSL) have attracted major research interest due to their interesting dynamics and potential for applications. These laminates are bistable in nature but also show multiple path-dependent intermediate stable states for certain parameter values and configurations leading to multi-stable configurations. This study explores the less-trodden path-dependent stability of HBSL using theoretical model, numerical analysis and experiments. A low-order integrated model combining the assumed mode method with finite element simulations has been used for analysis. The model captures complex and intricate dynamics of the laminates accurately. Dynamic behaviours like single-well or cross-well dynamics, periodic (single and multiple) and chaotic dynamics are captured through numerical analysis and established through experiments on a rectangular composite laminate prepared in-house. Static and dynamics tests have been carried out on the laminate to establish the dynamic character.