Layer-wise solutions for variable stiffness composite laminated sandwich plate using curvilinear fibers

Abstract

This paper deals with the vibration analysis of variable stiffness composite laminated (VSCL) sandwich plates. The VSCL sandwich plate is composed by soft core and two laminated face sheets, in which the face sheets are considered with curvilinear fiber. The layer-wise plate theory and p-version of finite element method are used to solve the problem formulation. In layer-wise theory, each layer modeled separately as a one p-element and the continuity of displacement fields is based on a linear zig-zag variation of displacements through the thickness of the layers. The obtained results of present model are compared and validated with available solutions, such as equivalent single layer theories, layer-wise theory and three-dimensional theory for sandwich plate with constant stiffness. The frequencies and mode shapes are examined for different physical and mechanical parameters such as plate thickness, core to face sheets thickness ratio, orientation angle of curvilinear fibers, stacking sequence and boundary conditions. New layer-wise solutions for thin and thick VSCL sandwich plate are offered, in which can be used to establish benchmarks for future comparisons.