Forced Vibration Analysis of Composite Laminates Using a Discrete Layer Stress Based Model

Although modern displacement based plate theories are capable of predicting the deflected shape and lower frequencies of a loaded plate with a high degree of precision, their ability to predict stresses, particularly interlaminar stresses, has been poor. A discrete layer stress based theory for composite laminates that assumes a linear distribution of in-plane stresses across each lamina was presented and showed good prediction of interlaminar stresses. The present study extends that work to forced vibration response of a composite plate subjected to a time varying transverse load.