Snap buckling of bistable beams under combined mechanical and magnetic loading

Abstract: We investigate the mechanics of bistable, hard-magnetic, elastic beams, combining experiments, finite element modeling (FEM), and a reduced-order theory. The beam is made of a hard magneto-rheological elastomer, comprising two segments with antiparallel magnetization along the centerline, and is set into a bistable curved configuration by imposing an end-to-end shortening. Reversible snapping is possible between these two stable states. First, we experimentally characterize the critical field strength for the onset of snapping, at different levels of end-to-end shortening. Second, we perform 3D FEM simulations using the Riks method to analyze high-order deformation modes during snapping. Third, we develop a reduced-order centerline-based beam theory to rationalize the observed magneto-elastic response. The theory and simulations are validated against experiments, with an excellent quantitative agreement. Finally, we consider the case of combined magnetic and mechanical-indentation loading, examining how the applied field affects the bistability and quantifying the maximum load-bearing capacity. Our work provides a set of predictive tools for the rational design of one-dimensional, bistable, magneto-elastic structural elements.