Determination of Optimal Stacking Sequence for Modal Characteristics Evaluation of Composite Marine Propeller Blade

Abstract

The design of optimum marine propeller is one of the most important aspects of naval architecture. With the increase in demands for high operating efficiency, power and low level of noise, vibration reduction the design of propellers became extremely complex. This paper describes the numerical prediction of free vibration characteristics of a B-series propeller using finite element approach as a base line method. The propeller analysis is performed as a single objective function subjected to the constraints imposed by cavitation, material strength and propeller thrust. An important aspect of autonomous underwater vehicle is to evaluate its modal characteristics in terms of its mode shapes and natural frequencies. The effect of stacking sequences, fibre orientation angles are studied and finally an optimum stacking sequence has been determined for optimum characteristics of B-series (B4-0.7) marine propellers.