Free Vibration Analysis of Angle-ply Laminated Shallow Cylindrical Shell with Clamped Edges

Abstract

In a previous paper, the authors proposed a numerical approach for analyzing the free vibrations of a laminated FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) composite plate. In the present paper, this approach is modified for application to a symmetrically laminated shallow cylindrical shell having a rectangular planform. First, the natural frequencies of the shell are calculated for discussion of the convergence and accuracy of the solution. Next, the effects of the curvature ratio and stacking sequence on the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the shell are studied. Furthermore, to justify the numerical results, vibration tests of the clamped symmetrically laminated shallow cylindrical shell having a square planform are carried out. These experimental results are found to agree well with the numerical results computed using the measured material properties of the lamina.