Limit cycle oscillation of Nitinol embedded laminate beam: Experimental insight into geometric and material nonlinearity

This study examines the nonlinear aeroelastic behavior of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composite laminates and hybrid composites with Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Nitinol wires through numerical analysis and wind tunnel testing. Significant nonlinearity and limit cycle oscillations (LCO) were observed in a six-layer GFRP specimen at wind velocities of 20-30 m/s, validated by image processing and accelerometer data. This is perhaps the first time a mechanical system is reported to undergo LCO, which is observed in Van der Pol oscillator.