A study on interactive fiber rubber composite structures subjected to bend-twist coupling

Abstract This paper investigates the deformation behavior of shape memory alloy (SMA)-integrated fiber-reinforced composites, with an emphasis on how different fiber orientations influence bend-twist coupling. The study combines experimental analysis, finite element simulations using Ansys, and analytical modeling via Classical Laminate Theory (CLT) to assess the mechanical response of these composites. The experiments revealed that composites with higher fiber angles (60°) exhibited dominant twisting behavior, while those with lower angles (30° and 45°) showed more pronounced bending deformation. The simulations corroborated these trends, offering detailed insights into the displacement behavior. The CLT model further predicted a decrease in deflection with increasing fiber angles, which was consistent with experimental results, although some deviations in Z-deformation were attributed to material and manufacturing factors. This research highlights the critical role of fiber orientation in achieving desired deformations in SMA-integrated composites, offering valuable insights for the design of adaptive structures. The findings demonstrate the potential for optimizing fiber configurations to tailor bend-twist coupling in advanced composite applications.