Stresses in Composite Beams

A composite (or hybrid) beam is in the following defined as a beam with cross section made up of a layer of segments with different thickness and material properties, as illustrated in Fig. 7.1. It is taken for granted that layers of material segments are parallel to the y axis and that the cross section is symmetric about the z axis. It is also taken for granted that there is a fully functioning shear connection between all layers, such that the cross section behaves as a compact unit. In structural engineering there is a multitude of such design systems, e.g. reinforced concrete beams, plywood or multi-layered wooden beams, and a large variety of composite laminates made up of plastic or glass fibre materials.