A Theoretical Investigation into the Orientation of Buckling Direction of the Reinforcing Fibers in EMC Laminate

Due to its high packaging strain and shape memory effect, elastic memory composite （EMC） has considerable potential application in future deployable space structures. Buckling of the reinforcing fibers is the primary deformation mechanism of such a new class of functional materials to realize a higher folding strain than that of conventional fiber reinforced composites. In this paper, the orientation of buckling direction of the reinforcing fibers in EMC laminate will be theoretically analyzed to better understand such deformation mechanism. The results reveal that the bucking protruding from the edge produces the lower energy needed for EMC laminate.