Dynamic Characterization and Vibration Performance of Polymeric Composite Structures

Abstract

The viscoelastic nature of polymeric composites can be harnessed to create structures/components with specific mechanical and vibrational characteristics. The deformation characteristics enabling component design and development are temperature and hysteretic rate/time-dependent behavior. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) has been used to evaluate dynamic material parameters such as the storage and loss modulus and thermal transitions. These parameters are used in the modeling of the vibration behavior of structures. Advances in additive manufacturing have increased the ability to use multiple materials to fabricate composite structural components (rods, beams, plates, etc.). These fabrication techniques can influence the composite material’s time/temperature dependency, and the ensuing changes need to be factored into the dynamic and vibration analysis of structures made from these polymeric composites. In this chapter, a systematic approach is presented for the vibration analysis of polymer composites, and it includes (i) dynamic characterization of viscoelastic material properties and respective material models, (ii) incorporation of material models into the development of governing equations for polymeric structures, (iii) review of solution strategies for obtaining vibration characteristics and performance of structures, and (iv) some recent engineering applications of polymeric composites. The goal is to provide an in-depth understanding of polymeric composite analysis ranging from material to structure level performance.