Investigation of effect of different geometric parameters on fundamental natural frequency of composite laminate plate

Abstract

Composite materials have remarkable properties such as high strength to weight ratio, wear resistance, good electrical and thermal properties compared to metals. A laminated composite material consists of several layers of a composite laminas made of matrix and fibers. Each layer with different fiber orientations may have similar or dissimilar material properties. In this study, the effect of the fiber orientations on the fundamental natural frequency of laminated composite plate is investigated. The problem is analyzed and solved using the finite element method and Matlab. A variety of boundary conditions are used in the analysis. Numerical results were obtained for orthotropic symmetric laminated plate. Fundamental natural frequency of composite plates depends upon various characteristics like aspect ratio, boundary condition and fiber orientation. The effect of cut outs on fundamental natural frequency is analysed. It is observed that the ply angles are playing major role while deciding the fundamental natural frequency of composite laminate plate.