On the Nonlinear Snap-Through of Arch-Shaped Clamped–Clamped Bistable Beams

Abstract Bistable compliant elements offer excellent advantages in many applications ranging from high precision sensing to energy harvesting. The essential nonlinear mechanics of such elements are strongly coupled with their buckling mode, geometric parameters, and loading conditions. The force–displacement plot of bistable curved beams could contain a displacement limit point, which cannot be well modeled by the commonly used smooth cubic function and would cause operational problems due to incorrect predictions of the bistability. In this technical brief, the nonlinear bistable mechanics of a compliant curved beam with both ends fixed is analyzed based on the large deflection finite element theory. By using the multistep displacement loading method, the deformation behaviors and their transition from symmetric to asymmetric modes are numerically studied, which provides insights into the force–displacement curve and the multiple snapping pathways. Furthermore, the influences of the structure parameters on bistable mechanics are analyzed, and a quality factor for identifying the occurrence of displacement limit points is introduced for different loading conditions. Finally, a method for achieving a single smooth snapping pathway is proposed, providing a theoretical basis to the design and control of the bistable compliant structures.