Dynamic response of laminated polymer composite plates with matrix cracks

Abstract EN

The laminated composite materials develop extensive patterns of microstructural damage as a result of mechanical or environmental load history.

The mechanical as well as the physical properties of the composite laminates get affected by the induced damage.

Furthermore, the development and accumulation of such damage modes are the precursor to structural failure. An adequate understanding of the dynamic response of such materials has now become a primary design factor to insure the safety of many structural elements used in aerospace and Automobile industries.

Hence, the focus of this research is on the post-damage dynamic characterization of laminated composite plates containing matrix cracks type of damage.

Among different damage modeling approaches, the damage mechanics approach appears to be a useful tool for predicting the global effect of matrix cracks damage modes on the constitutive response of a composite laminate.

In this approach the damage is mathematically modeled using an Internal State Variables (ISV) concept.

This approach is used in this study to predict the elastic parameters of laminated composites with various sizes and shapes of damage.

A finite element code is developed using a consistent shear deformation theory to investigate the upper bounds of the vibration frequencies of damaged orthotropic laminates with various boundary conditions.

The model is based on discrete laminate theory that allows for each ply of the composite assembly to have its own elastic properties and state of damage.

Some numerical results are presented and the comparisons of these results with experimental data and other analytical models show a good agreement.