Flexure analysis of circular elastic layers bonded between rigid plates

An elastic layer of circular cross-section which is bonded between rigid plates and subjected to pure bending moment is analyzed through a theoretical approach. Based on two kinematic assumptions, the governing equations for the two horizontal displacement functions are established from the equilibrium equations. The horizontal displacements are then solved by satisfying the stress boundary conditions in the elastic layer. Through these solved displacements, the vertical stress in the elastic layer, the shear stress on the bonding surfaces, and the tilting stiffness of the bonded layer are derived in closed-forms and are also compared with the results of finite element analysis.