Natural Frequencies and Mode Shapes of Laminated Composite Plates: Experiments and FEA

The natural frequencies and mode shapes of several graphite-epoxy plates were determined using experimental modal analysis and finite-element analysis. The experimental and theoretical results are com pared. The samples tested included four types of layups: ±15°, ±30°, cross-ply, and quasi-isotropic plates. Each plate was tested in three configurations: free-hanging, cantilever, and fixed-fixed for a total of twelve test configurations. The material properties of the plates and the test methods used to obtain them are in cluded. There is a very good agreement between the experimental and theoretical results for the free-hanging and cantilever configurations. The agreement for the fixed-fixed results is poor. This indicates that the clamps for the fixed-fixed configuralion are not ideal and that they introduce some uncertainty in the boundary condi tions. The free-hanging results provide accurate experimental natural frequencies of several composite plates; they can be used to validate future theoretical developments. The fixed-fixed results are used to provide pos sible explanations for the discrepancies between the measured and calculated natural frequencies previously reported in the literature.