Some Considerations on the Nonclassical Behavior of Thin-Walled Composite Beams

This paper focuses on two non-classical effects in the linear theory of thin-walled composite beams: torsional warping and elastic coupling between bending and transverse shear. These non-classical effects are clarified and analyzed in some simple examples involving cantilever beams. Torsional warping is shown to be important in box beams having a thin-walled, closed cross section and loaded with a twisting moment applied at the end. Bending-transverse shear coupling is shown to be important in the analysis of a beam designed for extension-twist coupling and with a distributed lateral load. The importance of including these effects in a complete theory is discussed.