The intra-well and cross-well dynamics of the unsymmetric bistable composite laminated shells

This paper introduces the bistable shell model of bistable asymmetric composite laminates, which is constructed based on Reddy's third-order shear deformation theory. It analyzes the intra-well and cross-well dynamics of the model under different excitations. Intra-well dynamics, triggered by insufficient energy, exhibit single-well multi-cycle vibrations and bifurcation phenomena; while cross-well dynamics, activated by sufficient energy, manifest as limit cycle oscillations, multi-cycle, and chaotic snap-through motions, influenced by loading conditions and initial displacements. The frequency–amplitude response curve displays a softening nonlinear stiffness effect, and the 1/2 subharmonic resonance is caused by quadratic nonlinear terms. The study also indicates that increasing the number of layers enhances the driving amplitude and broadens the frequency range of dynamic snap-through motions. This theoretical research can provide support for the development of bistable energy harvesters and morphing aircrafts.