Volume 9, Issue 6, 2000

Damping Characteristics of Vibrated Composite Plates

V. Kostopoulos^1,2,* and D. Th. Korontzis¹

¹Applied Mechanics Laboratory, University of Patras  

²Institute of Chemical Engineering and High Temperature Chemical Processes/FORTH GR-26500 Patras, GREECE, e-mail: kostopoulos @ mech.upatras.gr

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed

(Received 7/00 ; accepted 11/00)

ABSTRACT

The free vibration response of orthogonal, simply supported (all around) composite laminated plates was studied, assuming linear viscoelastic behaviour of the constitutive lamina material. The problem was solved numerically and the results were verified in the special case of laminate against the analytical solution, which is also provided. Stability and convergence problems were discussed analytically. Eigenfrequency values and modal damping characteristics were calculated for the first nine mode shapes. Furthermore, keeping constant the plate thickness, the effect of the lamina thickness on the vibration characteristics of the plate was examined.