Vibration of Laminated Plates Having Elastic Edge Flexibilities

Abstract

The first known investigation on the problem of free vibration of symmetric cross-ply laminated plates having elastically restrained edges is considered. The Ritz method is used in combination with a variational formulation and a first-order transverse shear deformation theory. The Ritz functions consist of polynomials that include a “basic function” that imposes the free edge boundary conditions. The elastic edge flexibilities are considered by both the linear elastic rotational and translational supports to act simultaneously. Numerical results are obtained to investigate the effects of elastic restraint stiffness, material properties, and geometric parameters upon the natural frequencies of flexural vibration.