Finite element analysis of tunable composite tubes reinforced with auxetic structures

Abstract

A tubular composite structure that is built of two materials, characterized by different Young moduli, is analysed in this paper. The Young's modulus of one of these materials can be controlled by external conditions e.g., magnetic or electric field, temperature etc. The geometry of the reinforcement is based on typical auxetic re-entrant honeycomb cellular structure. The influence of this external factor on the behaviour of the stretched tube is analysed in this paper. Also, the possibility of creating a tubular composite structure whose cross-section is either shrinking or expanding, while stretching the tube is presented.