Comparative study on bezier curve and linear variable angle method for variable stiffness laminates

By adjusting the connection point parameter β, the Bezier curve method can make the angle of the fiber trajectory vary nonlinearly and improve the design space. In view of this, the variable‐stiffness laminates which are made by Bezier curve method and linear variable angle methods respectively are used as the research objects. Under the same conditions, taking the stacking sequence of (0 ± <20[β]60>)_2s as an example, the influences of the number and the curvature of tows on these two kinds of variable angle trajectory are discussed. Meanwhile, the buckling behaviors of these two kinds of variable angle laminates are comparatively analyzed. The results show when the connection point parameter β is 0.6, the trajectory and curvature change of Bezier curve method is consistent with the linear variable angle method. For the number of tow in the same area, the number of Bezier curve is less than that of linear variable angle method when the connection point parameter β is >0.6. Furthermore, for the Bezier curve method, the buckling load is first decreased and then increased with the increase of connection point parameter β. While the connection point parameter β is over 0.6, the buckling load of Bezier curve method is better than that of linear variable angle method. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:952–960, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers