Dynamic characterization of thickness tapered laminated composite plates

This study investigates the dynamic properties of the thickness tapered laminated composite plate. The governing differential equations of motion of the various configurations of a thickness tapered composite plate are presented in the finite element formulation using classical laminated plate theory. The validity of the developed finite element formulation is demonstrated by comparing the natural frequencies evaluated using the present finite element method with those derived from the experimental measurements and presented in available literature. Various parametric studies are also performed to investigate the effect of taper configuration, aspect ratio, taper angle and ply orientation on free vibration responses of the structures. The comparison of the free vibration mode shapes of uniform and various tapered configurations of tapered laminated composite plates are also presented. Influences of taper angle on the free vibration fundamental mode shapes under various boundary conditions and various ply configurations are also presented. The forced vibration response of a composite plate is also investigated to study the dynamic response of tapered composite plate under the harmonic force excitation in various tapered configurations. It is concluded that the dynamic properties of a composite plate could be tailored by dropping of the plies to yield various tapered composite plate.