The cured shape of bistable composite laminates

Bistable composite laminates have received considerable attention due to their fabulous behaviors for potential morphing structures, such as settling at one of its equilibrium positions without demanding continuous power to remain and snapping from one equilibrium position to the other equilibrium position. The unsymmetric thin laminate may exhibit two stable static shapes due to the residual thermal stress forming during the cured process from the autoclave temperature to the room temperature. The analytical model based on the Rayleigh-Ritz method and the finite element model for the cured shape prediction of the bistable composite laminates are presented. Moreover, the residual stress distribution in the bistable composite laminates is analyzed.