A spiral model for bending of non-linearly pretwisted helicoidal structures with lateral loading

The paper presents a new approach in the bending analysis of helicoidal structures with a large non-linear pretwist and an external lateral loading. It also addresses the issue as to what extent the linearized twisting curvature is applicable in the analysis of pretwisted plates. Employing a non-linear helicoidal model and a natural orthogonal coordinate system, the large non-linear pretwist is formulated and the energy stored in a distorted helicoid subjected to an external pressure normal to the helicoid axis is derived. By integrating the internal strain energy and external pressure work over the helicoidal domain, a non-homogeneous system of equations is presented and numerical solutions are obtained. Significant structural responses such as deformation components and resultant, the effects of width and thickness of helicoid on bending are analyzed and discussed. The analysis can be extended to other areas of interest such as turbomachinery blades, drilling structures, motors in micro-electro-mechanical systems and also DNA biomechanics. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.