Compressive stiffness behavior of magneto-active beams and plates

This work investigates the compressive stiffness behavior of magneto-active elastomer (MAE) beams and plates under quasi-static axial loading and externally applied magnetic fields. We employ two- and three-dimensional finite element multiphysics simulations to characterize buckling responses and stiffness variations, as motivated by aerospace applications requiring adaptive stiffness and morphing capabilities. The study examines the influence of geometry, magnetic programming, temperature, and the applied magnetic field on pre- and post-buckling stiffness. These parameters are modeled for beams and plates using COMSOL Multiphysics simulation software. Validation against analytical predictions and prior literature confirms model accuracy. For beams, results show that magnetic programming and field strength can change buckling mode shapes, reduce critical loads by at least 20%, and alter stiffness ratios by factors exceeding 1000, enabling dramatic stiffness tailoring. Plates, in contrast, show much lower difference in stiffness ratio with factors less than 2, and also demonstrate that out-of-plane displacement increases under increased temperature for combined thermal and magnetic inputs. These findings highlight the potential of MAE-actuated buckling structures for aerospace components or bioengineering systems.