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Free Vibration Analysis of Laminated Composite Plates Using Finite Element

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Article  in  Polymers and Polymer Composites · September 2016

DOI: 10.1177/096739111602400712

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 Free Vibration Analysis of Laminated Composite Plates Using Finite Element Method

Free Vibration Analysis of Laminated Composite Plates Using Finite

Element Method
Pushparaj Pingulkar and Suresha B.*
Department of Mechanical Engineering, The National Institute of Engineering, Mysuru, India

SUMMARY
In this work, the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a number of cantilever glass fiber reinforced polymer
composites (GFRPCs) and carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRPCs) are numerically obtained
using the commercial finite element analysis software (ANSYS). The laminates under study include 8 ply
cantilevered plates having a plate aspect ratio of 2 and fiber volume fractions of 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6. The finite
element analysis procedure is described. The natural frequencies and mode shapes calculated using ANSYS are
first validated with the results obtained from previous literature. The agreement between the two results is found
to be excellent. The effect of change in the matrix material, hybridization, and laminate stacking sequence on
the natural frequencies and mode shapes are also investigated. It is found that hybridization and orientation of
the outermost layer has more significant influence on the natural frequencies of the laminated composite plates
compared to fiber volume fraction and change in the matrix material.

Keywords: Fiber reinforced composite laminates, Finite element analysis, Natural frequencies,
Mode shapes

1. Introduction of the composite laminates developed polymer matrix composites has

Polymer based laminated composite
plates are being increasingly used
in the aeronautical and aerospace
industry as well as in other fields
of modern engineering technology.
To use them efficiently a good
understanding of their structural and
dynamical behaviour and also an
accurate knowledge of the deformation
characteristics, stress distribution,
natural frequencies and buckling
loads under various load conditions
are needed. The Classical Lamination
Plate Theory (CLPT)1, which is an
extension of classical plate theory1,2
neglects the effects of out-of-plane
strains. The greater differences in
elastic properties between fiber and
filaments and matrix materials lead to a
high ratio of in-plane Young’s modulus
to transverse shear modulus for most
*Corresponding authors E-mail: suresha.b2005@gmail.com, sureshab@nie.ac.in
©
Smithers Information Ltd., 2016
to date. Because of this reason the
transverse shear deformations are
much pronounced for laminated
plates than for isotropic plates. Thus,
the CLPT which ignores the effect
of transverse shear deformation
becomes inadequate for the analysis of
multilayer composites. In general the
CLPT often under-predicts deflections
and over-predicts natural frequencies
and buckling loads.
In the past, numerous works have been
carried out on the static properties of
fiber reinforced polymer composites
(FRPCs). However, the dynamic
properties of polymer matrix
composites (PMCs) have not been fully
investigated for structural engineering
applications. Determination of natural
frequencies and mode shapes of
gained a lot of importance recently
as it can help predict the possibility
of resonance so that measures can be
taken to avoid it or reduce the high
amplitudes associated with it. The high
resonant amplitudes are a major cause
for a number of failures occurring in
the aerospace industry.
Crawley 3 experimentally and
theoretically determined the natural
frequencies and mode shapes of 8 ply
graphite/epoxy cantilever plates and
shells of various laminates and aspect
ratio. Agreement between calculated
and observed mode shapes was found
to be excellent; while reasonable
agreement was found for frequencies.
Anderson et al.4 experimentally and
theoretically determined the natural
frequencies and mode shapes of several
12 ply graphite/epoxy plates. Four
layups of samples were tested: ±15°,
±30°, cross-ply and quasi isotropic
plates. Each of the layup was tested
in three configurations: free-hanging,
cantilever, and fixed–fixed. Excellent

Polymers & Polymer Composites, Vol. 24, No. 7, 2016 529


agreement was found between the
experimental and theoretical results.
Works on hybrid fiber reinforced
polymer composites are rare in
open literature. Bunsell and Harris5
studied the properties and failure
characteristics of glass/carbon
hybrid laminates and suggested that
light and economical engineering
materials with required properties
can be prepared by mixing two
different fibers. Ni et al.6 developed
mathematical formulation using
energy method finite element analysis
to predict the dynamic characteristics
of hybrid laminated composite beams
and plates respectively and compared
the obtained results with experimental
results. They also analyzed the
economic aspects and considerations
of using hybrid materials over typical
composite laminates with only one
type of fiber. Iyengar and Umeritiya7
performed analytical studies on
the deflection of Kevlar/epoxy and
boron/epoxy hybrid laminated plates
by applying Galerkin technique and
concluded that the hybrid laminates
turn out to be lighter for a specific
deflection. Barai and Durvasula 8
investigated the effects of aspect
ratio, curvature, ply orientation and
stacking sequence on the vibration
and buckling characteristics of curved
panels of hybrid laminates using
Reissners’s shallow shell theory and
first order shear deformation theory.
From the obtained results, they
concluded that natural frequencies
are enhanced due to curvature and
are more predominant for thin plates.
Lin Dun-xiang et al.9 performed a
numerical analysis based on finite
element method for predicting the
natural frequencies, mode shapes,
and damping values of laminated
composite plates. They compared
theoretical and experimental results
obtained for carbon fiber and glass fiber
reinforced polymer plates (mid-plane
symmetric). Kamal et al.10 carried out
free vibration analysis to study the
vibration characteristics of composite
530
Pushparaj Pingulkar and Suresha B.
laminates using the modified shear
deformation, layered, composite plate
theory while employing the Rayleigh-
Ritz energy approach. The numerical
results for fully clamped boundary
conditions and are compared with
previously published literature11,12.
The first-order theories (FSDTs)
based on Reissner13 and Mindlin14
assume linear in-plane stresses and
displacements respectively through
the laminate thickness. Since the
FSDT accounts for layerwise constant
states of transverse shear stress, shear
correction coefficients are needed
to rectify the unrealistic variation
of the shear strain/stress through
the thickness and which ultimately
define the shear strain energy. Many
studies have been carried out using
FSDT for the free vibration analysis
of composite plates15-19. Pandit et al.15
performed free vibration analysis of
isotropic and laminated composite
plates using a nine noded isoparametric
element. First order shear deformation
theory was considered in the analysis
to incorporate the effect of shear
deformation in the formulation.
Kumar et al.16 carried out experimental
investigations on free vibration
characteristics of short natural fiber
reinforced polyester composites.
They analysed the influence of
fiber length and weight percentage
on mechanical properties and free
vibration characteristics. Sahoo et
al.17 numerically investigated the
static and the free vibration behaviour
of laminated woven glass/epoxy
composite plate using ANSYS and
validated it through subsequent
experimentation. They studied the
effects of geometrical and material
parameters (thickness ratio, modular
ratio and support conditions) on
vibration characteristics. Bulut et al.18
investigated the tensile and damping
behaviour of 10 layered Kevlar/glass/
epoxy hybrid laminates. They showed
that the hybridization of relatively
brittle S-glass fibres with tough Kevlar
fibers is highly effective in improving
the damping capacity of S-glass fibre
Polymers & Polymer Composites, Vol. 24, No. 7, 2016
composite laminates. In addition,
they also examined the effect of fiber
angle on natural frequencies using
ANSYS. Erklinğ et al.19 investigated
the natural frequency and damping
properties consisting of various
combinations of S-glass, carbon,
and Kevlar fibres. They conducted
experiments on hybrid composites
under the combinations of clamped
(C), free (F) and simply supported
(SS) boundary conditions. They
showed that maximum and minimum
frequency values occurred in C-F-
C-F and C-F-F-F edge conditions
respectively.
From the available literature it was
observed that studies reported on free
vibration characteristics of hybrid
laminates are less comprehensive.
Most of the studies conducted were
based on analytical methods. Studies
on industry driven fiber carbon-glass/
epoxy/vinyl ester hybrid plates are
scarce in the literature. Our aim is
to study the effects of lamination
sequence of different layers of carbon/
glass hybrid epoxy matrix composite
plates on the natural frequencies
of the laminates. The present work
deals with studying the effect of
fibre volume fraction on the modal
frequencies of PMC plates using the
commercial finite element software
“ANSYS”. The procedure followed
for finite element analysis was first
validated by comparing the results
obtained with the previous work
carried out by Crawley3. The materials
under investigation were E-glass, S2
fiberglass, T300 carbon and T800
carbon unidirectional fibers reinforced
with epoxy and vinyl ester as matrix.
The plates were simulated for quasi-
isotropic stacking sequence consisting
layers having fibre orientations of
0°, +45°, -45°, and 90°. Effect of
hybridization was also studied by
stacking layers of glass and carbon
fibres one on top of the other. Finally
the effect on the orientation of the
outermost layers on the natural
frequencies was investigated and the
results are presented.
 Free Vibration Analysis of Laminated Composite Plates Using Finite Element Method

2. Finite Element
Analysis
Finite element algorithms have become
a powerful tool in order to analyse
and solve a wide range of engineering
problems. Well developed, user
friendly, well supported, flexible and
multi-field computer codes become
a commercial field of engineering
tools. One of the most challenging and
most popular commercial all-purpose
program used in finite element analysis
is the commercial finite element
software “ANSYS”. The finite element
analysis of laminated composite plates
in this work is carried out using the
software ANSYS.
and natural frequencies, the Block
Lanczos mode extraction method was
used. An APDL code was written to
carry out the above steps in FEA and
to carry out further parametric studies
(Appendix).
2.2 Materials Used in 3D Finite
Elements Model
In the present study, unidirectional
fibers of E-glass, S2 fiberglass, T300
Figure 1. Rectangular plate configuration with boundary conditions
carbon, and T800 carbon were used
as reinforcement along with 3501-
6 Epoxy as the matrix material. In
order to study the effect of varying
fiber volume fraction on the natural
frequencies of the cantilever composite
plate, the material properties of the
fiber-reinforced polymer composite
laminas used in this work were
calculated using micromechanics.
The software “Autodesk Helius
Composite 2016” was used to build

2.1 3D Finite Elements Model

and Solution Procedure
The 3D model of the cantilever
unidirectional fiber-reinforced polymer
composite plate having dimensions 150
mm (length) × 75 mm (width) × “t”
(thickness) was constructed in ANSYS
15 (Figure 1).
Figure 2. (a) Finite element mesh with boundary conditions, (b) finite element
mesh showing individual plies
The plate thickness “t” was taken
to be dependent on the fibre/matrix
combination used in the laminas that
made the plate. The ply thickness for
GFRP and CFRP composite plates
was taken as 0.15 mm and 0.13 mm
respectively. The plate was modelled
as a plane area in ANSYS 15 and then
meshed using eight noded quadrilateral
shell element (SHELL281, Figure 2).
The SHELL281 element is suitable
for analysing thin to moderately-thick
shell structures. The element has eight
nodes with six degrees of freedom at
each node: translations in the x, y, and
z axes, and rotations about the x, y,
and z-axes. The accuracy in modelling
composite shells using these elements
is governed by the first-order shear-
deformation theory (FSDT) in which
the transverse shear strain is assumed
to be constant through the thickness of
the shell. The plate was fixed on the
edge having dimension of 75 mm. In
order to carry out the modal analysis so
as to obtain the first five mode shapes

Polymers & Polymer Composites, Vol. 24, No. 7, 2016 531

 Pushparaj Pingulkar and Suresha B.

unidirectional laminae for the fiber/ 3. RESULTS AND are presented in Table 1 and Table 2
matrix combinations used in this DİSCUSSİON respectively.
study and to calculate their orthotropic
material properties for varying fiber 3.1 Validation of Finite Element
The mode shapes obtained for
volume fractions (Vf = 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, Analysis Procedure [0°/+45°/-45°/90°]s, and [+45°/-45°/-
and 0.6) using micromechanics. In order to prove the accuracy of the 45°/+45°]s plates having aspect ratio
present analysis, the finite element = 2 are presented Figure 3 and 4
In order to further investigate the analysis was carried according to the respectively. Looking at the data, it
effect of change in matrix material on procedure outlined in the previous was seen that the modal ranking can
the natural frequencies, finite element section using a mesh size of 20 × 20 and be changed by choice of laminate. In
analysis of the plates was also carried the results were compared with those the aspect ratio 2 graphite/epoxy plates
out using vinyl ester as the matrix obtained by Crawley3. The dimensions for example, 2nd bending had replaced
material at fiber volume fraction of of the graphite/epoxy cantilevered
1st torsion as the second natural mode
0.6.The fiber and matrix properties laminated composite plates consisting
of the [+45°/-45°/-45°/+45°]s laminate.
used to calculate the orthotropic of 8 layers were 76 mm × 76 mm ×
lamina properties were taken from the 1.04 mm (plate aspect ratio = 1) and
152 mm × 76 mm × 1.04 mm (plate The agreement between the calculated
database of the software “Autodesk
Helius Composite 2016”. aspect ratio = 2) respectively. The and observed frequencies was found
nominal ply thickness was taken as to be reasonable, but some differences
0.13 mm. The plates of each aspect did appear. Surprisingly these were
Since the current practice in the
ratio were analyzed for laminates of found in the fibre stiffness dominated
aerospace industry is to use balanced
[0°2/+30°/-30°]S, [0°/+45°/-45°/90°]S, modes. In an attempt to explain this
and symmetric laminates having
and [+45°/-45°/-45°/+45°] S. The inconsistency, the values for the
layers with 0°, +45°, -45°, and 90°
fibre directions, [0°/45°/-45°/90°]s material properties used in finite transverse shear stiffness were reduced
laminates were used in the present element analysis were the same as in the finite element model. But even
study. Use of balanced symmetric those used by Crawley [3] in his work. a 20% reduction in transverse shear
laminates eliminates the coupling The results of the validation study for modulus lowered frequencies less than
between force and moment terms plates having aspect ratios 1 and 2 1%. It is doubtful that the difference
and the mid-plane strains and mid-
plane curvatures. The uncoupling
not only makes the analysis of such Table 1. Calculated and observed frequencies of 76 mm × 76 mm graphite/epoxy
cantilever plates
laminates simpler, but also prevents
the laminate from twisting due to Laminate Mode
*
Crawley [1] Present work
thermal loads, such as cooling down Observed Frequency Calculated Frequency % Diff.
from processing temperatures and (Hz) (Hz)
temperature fluctuations during use [0/0/30/-30]s 1B 234.2 261.26 11.55
such as in space shuttle, etc.   1T 362 361.84 -0.04
 
  1C 728.3 755.36 3.716
Finite element analysis was also   2B 1449 1591.4 9.827
carried out to study the effect of
hybridization on modal frequencies. 2C 1503 1626.2 8.197
E-glass T300 carbon/epoxy hybrid [0/45/- 1B 196.4 223.57 13.83
plates having laminate stacking 45/90]s 1T 418 419.35 0.323
sequences [0°g/+45°c/-45°c/90°g]s and  
  1C 960 1004.2 4.604
[0°c/+45°g/-45°g/90°c]s were used to
  2B 1215 1402.5 15.43
carry out the study. Further analysis was
 
carried out so as to study the influence 2T 1550 1619.4 4.477
of laminate stacking sequence on the [45/-45/- 1B 131.2 137.73 4.977
natural frequencies the plates. E-glass/ 45/45]s 1T 472 494.02 4.665
epoxy and T300 carbon/epoxy plates  
having laminate stacking sequences   2B 790.5 789.51 -0.13
[0°/+45°/-45°/90°]s, [0°/+45°/90°/-   1C 1168 1304.4 11.68
45°]s, [45°/0°/90°/-45°]s, and [45°/0°/-  
2T 1486 1607.6 8.183
45°/90°]s were used to carry out the
*B-Bending, T- torsion, C-Combined
study.

532 Polymers & Polymer Composites, Vol. 24, No. 7, 2016

 Free Vibration Analysis of Laminated Composite Plates Using Finite Element Method

between predicted and observed Table 2. Calculated and observed frequencies of 152 mm × 76 mm graphite/
frequencies can be explained by epoxy cantilever plates
transverse shear effects alone. Of the Laminate Mode Crawley1 Present work
remaining explanations, experimental Observed Frequency Calculated Frequency % Diff.
error is a possibility, but the consistency (Hz) (Hz)
of the differences (e.g. 11.901% in [0/0/30/-30]s 1B 58.3 65.238 11.9
1st bending, 12.219% in 2nd bending   1T 148 136.84 -7.54
for [0°/0°/-30°/+30°]s, aspect ratio =   2B 362.7 407.02 12.22
2 leads one to trust the experimental  
  2T 508 522.83 2.919
data. The best explanation is that the
1C 546 580.01 6.229
in-plane stiffness used in the finite
element analysis is too high, and that [0/45/-45/90]s 1B 48.6 55.456 14.11
  1T 169 174.46 3.231
the dynamic flexural modulus is lower
  2B 303 344.34 13.64
than the static extensional modulus.  
  2T 554 588.89 6.298
1C 739 808.85 9.452
3.2 Parametric Study
[45/-45/-45/45]s 1B 31.3 31.884 1.866
The goal of this study was to investigate   2B 185.8 190.59 2.578
the effects of fiber volume fraction,   1T 214 226.54 5.86
choice of matrix material, hybridization,  
3B 533 560.29 5.12
and laminate stacking sequence on the  
natural frequencies of cantilever GFRP 2T 653 701.34 7.403
and CFRP composite plates. *B-Bending, T- torsion, C-Combined

3.2.1 Effect of Fiber Volume Figure 3. Mode shapes for [0°/+45°/-45°/90°]s plate having aspect ratio = 2
Fraction
The natural frequencies of GFRP
composite plates for fiber volume
fractions varying from 0.3 to 0.6 are
tabulated (Table 3 and 4). Figures 5
and 6 show the variation of natural
frequencies of GFRP composite plates
with fiber volume fractions. The mode
shapes were similar to those shown in
Figure 3.

It was observed that S2 fiberglass/

epoxy composite plates have higher
natural frequencies compared to
E-glass/epoxy plates. The natural
frequency corresponding to first mode Figure 4. Mode shapes for [+45°/-45°/-45°/+45°]s plate having aspect ratio = 2
of vibration for S2 fiber glass/epoxy
(Vf = 0.6) composite plate was 3.16%
higher than that of E-glass/epoxy (Vf =
0.6) composite plate. This can probably
be attributed to S2 fiberglass/epoxy
laminates having higher stiffness to
mass ratio in comparison to E-glass/
epoxy laminates.

The natural frequencies of CFRP

composite plates for fibre volume
fractions varying from 0.3 to 0.6
were also tabulated (Table 5 and 6).
Figures 7 and 8 show the variation of

Polymers & Polymer Composites, Vol. 24, No. 7, 2016 533

 Pushparaj Pingulkar and Suresha B.

Table 3. Natural frequencies of E-glass/epoxy at different volume fraction natural frequencies of CFRP composite
Mode Natural frequency (Hz) plates with different fiber volume
fraction. The mode shapes were similar
Vf = 0.3 Vf = 0.4 Vf = 0.5 Vf = 0.6
to those shown in Figure 3.
1 28.741 31.142 33.195 35.055
2 102.33 110.39 118.19 126.4
T300 carbon/epoxy plates exhibit
3 178.93 193.93 206.78 218.46 higher natural frequencies as compared
4 341.32 368.31 394 420.57 to S2 fiberglass/epoxy plates. The
5 495.13 535.63 571.77 606.05 natural frequency corresponding
to first mode of vibration for T300
carbon/epoxy (Vf = 0.6) composite
Table 4. Natural frequencies of S2 fiberglass/epoxy at different fiber volume plate was 49.12% higher than that
fraction of S2 fiberglass/epoxy (V f= 0.6)
Mode Natural frequency (Hz) composite plate and 64.86% higher
than that of E-glass/epoxy (Vf= 0.6)
S2 Fiber glass/Epoxy
plate. However, T300 carbon/epoxy
Vf = 0.3 Vf = 0.4 Vf = 0.5 Vf = 0.6
and T800 carbon/epoxy plates have
1 31.362 34.22 36.649 38.847 almost similar natural frequencies.
2 109.3 118.71 127.65 136.99
3 195.18 213.02 228.21 242 It was also observed that as the fiber
4 365.63 397.2 426.79 457.19 volume fraction is increased from 0.3
5 535.66 582.38 625.01 666.79 to 0.6, there is only marginal increase
in the natural frequency for the first
few modes. However, higher modes
exhibit a comparatively higher increase
Figure 5. Variation of natural frequencies of e-glass/epoxy with fiber volume in corresponding natural frequency.
fraction This trend is observed for all fiber/
matrix combinations.

3.2.2 Effect of Change in Matrix

Material
The natural frequencies of the
composite plates with vinyl ester
as the matrix material (Vf = 0.6) are
presented in Table 7.

The natural frequencies of glass fiber

composite plates with epoxy as the
matrix material were found to be almost
the same as that of plates with vinyl
ester as matrix material. However,
Figure 6. Variation of natural frequencies of S2 fiberglass/epoxy with fiber volume carbon fiber composites with vinyl
fraction ester matrix showed higher natural
frequencies as compared to that of
plates with vinyl ester as matrix
material. For example, the first natural
frequency of T300 carbon/vinyl ester
plate was 15.32% higher than that of
T300 carbon/epoxy plate.

3.2.3 Effect of Hybridization

The natural frequencies of hybrid
E-Glass – T300 carbon/epoxy (Vf=
0.6) stacked as [0 g/45 c/-45 c/90 g] s

534 Polymers & Polymer Composites, Vol. 24, No. 7, 2016

 Free Vibration Analysis of Laminated Composite Plates Using Finite Element Method

and [0c/45g/-45g/90c]s are presented Figure 7. Variation of natural frequencies of T300 carbon/epoxy with fiber
in Table 8. Figure 9 shows relative volume fraction
magnitudes of first three natural
frequencies for E-glass/epoxy, T300
carbon/epoxy plates and their hybrids.

It was seen that hybrid E-glass/T300

carbon/epoxy plates have natural
frequencies higher than that of E-glass/
epoxy plates, but lower than that of
T300 carbon/epoxy plates. Moreover,
[0c/45g/-45g/90c]s hybrid plates have
higher natural frequencies compared
to [0g/45c/-45c/90g]s hybrid plates. For
example, the first natural frequency
for [0c/45g/-45g/90c]s plate is 46.35%
higher than that of [0g/45c/-45c/90g]S Figure 8. Variation of natural frequencies of T800 carbon/epoxy with fiber volume
plate. fraction

3.2.4 Effect of Laminate Stacking

Sequence
The natural frequencies of E-glass/
epoxy and T300 carbon/epoxy plates
(Vf = 0.6) for different arrangement
of 0°,+45°,-45°, and, 90° layers
are presented in Table 9 and 10
respectively.

Table 5. Natural frequencies of T300 carbon/epoxy

plates at different fiber volume fraction
Table 7. Natural frequencies of composite plates with vinyl
Mode Natural frequency (Hz) ester as the matrix material (Vf= 0.6)
T300 Carbon/Epoxy Mode Natural frequency (Hz)
Vf= 0.3 Vf = 0.4 Vf= 0.5 Vf= 0.6
E-Glass/ S2 Fiber T300 T800
1 43.649 49.075 53.728 57.793 Vinyl glass/Vinyl Carbon/ Carbon/
2 137.28 153.03 167 179.78 ester ester Vinyl ester Vinyl ester
3 270.9 304.51 333.38 358.68 1 34.644 38.457 66.649 66.62
4 463.67 516.61 563.33 605.85 2 121.09 131.67 204.28 203.65
5 638.95 703.11 761.11 814.89 3 215.62 239.26 412.91 412.56
4 405.1 441.7 689.42 687.47
5 594.36 652.3 926.58 922.98
Table 6. Natural frequencies of T800 carbon/epoxy
at different fiber volume fraction Table 8. Natural frequencies of hybrid E-glass–T300 carbon/
Mode Natural frequency (Hz) epoxy plates
T800 Carbon/Epoxy Mode Natural Frequency (Hz)
Vf = 0.3 Vf = 0.4 Vf = 0.5 Vf = 0.6 [0 /45 /-45c/90g]s
g c
[0c/45g/-45g/90c]s
1 43.765 49.154 53.75 57.767 1 37.374 54.697
2 137.34 152.9 166.63 179.17 2 165.05 137.08
3 271.56 304.9 333.4 358.38 3 231.26 341.24
4 464.01 516.33 562.26 603.97 4 528.39 495.24
5 638.69 701.97 758.81 811.33 5 645.65 654.56

Polymers & Polymer Composites, Vol. 24, No. 7, 2016 535

 Pushparaj Pingulkar and Suresha B.

Figure 9. Relative magnitude of first three natural frequencies of E-glass/epoxy, 45/90]s to [0°/+45°/90°/-45°]s or
T300 carbon/epoxy and their hybrids (Vf= 0.6) from [+45°/0°/90°/-45°]s to [+45°/0°/-
45°/90°]s.

4. CONCLUSIONS
In this study, modal analysis was carried
out using finite element software for
laminated cantilever composite plates
to predict the modal frequencies.
Various fiber/matrix combinations
were investigated for different fiber
volume fractions. The effect of matrix
material, hybridization and different
laminate stacking sequence was also
investigated. The conclusions are
summarized as follows:

• The natural frequencies of CFRP

composite plates are found to be
higher than that of GFRPcomposites.
S2 fiberglass/epoxy plates have
Table 9. Natural frequencies of E-glass/epoxy plates (V = 0.6) for 0°,+45°,-45°,
and, 90° layers higher natural frequencies in
comparison to E-glass/epoxy plates.
Mode E-glass/epoxy
However, T300 carbon/epoxy plates
[0/45/-45/90]s [0/45/90/-45]s [45/0/90/-45]s [45/0/-45/90]s
and T800 carbon/epoxy plates have
1 35.055 34.759 30.49 30.876 almost similar natural frequencies.
2 126.4 120.59 127.45 133.66
• As the fiber volume fraction is
3 218.46 217.24 191.02 192.28
increased, the natural frequencies
4 420.57 403.39 409.57 429.23 corresponding to a given mode
5 606.05 605.97 537.53 539.53 also increases. This increase is
marginal for the first three modes
but comparatively higher for higher
Table 10. Natural frequencies of T300 carbon/epoxy plates (Vf = 0.6) for different modes.
arrangement of 0°,+45°,-45°, and, 90° layers
Mode T300 carbon/epoxy • The natural frequencies of
laminates with epoxy as the
[0/45/-45/90]s [0/45/90/-45]s [45/0/90/-45]s [45/0/-45/90]s
matrix material and vinyl ester as
1 57.793 56.864 45.108 46.652
the matrix material are almost the
2 179.78 159.56 168.28 189.99 same in case of GFRP composite
3 358.68 356.23 285.4 288.53 plates. However, CFRP composite
4 605.85 549.27 531.62 597.78 plates with vinyl ester as matrix
5 814.89 912.61 798.13 792.04 material show higher natural
frequencies in comparison to
CFRP composite plates with
Figures 10 and 11 show variation of orientation of the outermost layers Epoxy as the matrix material.
first three natural frequencies with of the laminates. As the orientation • Hybrid E-glass T300 carbon/Epoxy
different arrangement of 0°,+45°,-45°, of outermost layer was changed from plates have natural frequencies
and, 90° layers for E-glass/epoxy and 0° to +45°, the natural frequencies higher than that of E-glass/epoxy
T300 carbon/epoxy plates (Vf= 0.6). also changed. The first and the third plates, but lower than that of T300
The mode shapes are similar to those natural frequency decreased, whereas carbon/epoxy plates. Moreover,
shown in Figure 3. the second natural frequency increased. [0°c/45°g/-45°g/90°c]s hybrid plates
A very minor change was seen in the have higher natural frequencies
It was observed that the natural natural frequency when the laminate compared to [0°g/45°c/-45°c/90°g]S
frequencies are sensitive to the stacking was changed from [0/+45/- hybrid plates.

536 Polymers & Polymer Composites, Vol. 24, No. 7, 2016

 Free Vibration Analysis of Laminated Composite Plates Using Finite Element Method
Figure 10. Variation of first three natural frequencies for 0°,+45°,-45°, and,
90°layers for E-glass/epoxy plates (Vf= 0.6)
Figure 11. Variation of first three natural frequencies for 0°,+45°,-45°, and,
90°layers for T300 carbon/epoxy plates (Vf= 0.6)
• The natural frequencies are
sensitive to the orientation of the
outermost layers of the laminates.
As the orientation outermost layer
is changed from 0° to +45°, the
first and the third natural frequency
decreases, whereas the second
natural frequency increases.
• Natural frequency is more sensitive
to hybridization and orientation of
Polymers & Polymer Composites, Vol. 24, No. 7, 2016
outermost layers in comparison
to varying volume fraction.
Consequently, significant changes
in vibration characteristics can be
obtained by hybridization and by
changing the orientation of the
outermost layers of the laminate,
than by varying with fiber volume
fraction.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Our thanks to Dr. G. L. Shekar,
Principal, The National Institute of
Engineering, Mysuru, and Dr. M. V.
Achuta, Professor & H.O.D., Dept. of
Mechanical Engineering, The National
Institute of Engineering, Mysuru.
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 Pushparaj Pingulkar and Suresha B.

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APPENDIX
Sample APDL Code for E-glass/epoxy Plate (Vf =0.6)
/PREP7 ! Preprocessor module
ET,1,SHELL281 ! Choose SHELL281 element for analysis
MAT, 1 ! Material properties
MP, DENS, 1, 2.081E+03
MP, EX, 1, 4.493E+10
MP, EY, 1, 1.404E+10
MP, EZ, 1, 1.404E+10
MP, GXY, 1, 5.263E+09
MP, GXZ, 1, 5.263E+09
MP, GYZ, 1, 5.101E+09
MP, PRXY, 1, 2.481E-01
MP, PRXZ, 1, 2.481E-01
MP, PRYZ, 1, 3.775E-01
SECTYPE,1,SHELL ! Section shell set #1, [0/45/-45/90]s
KEYOPT,1,8,1 ! Set KEYOPT(8)=1, Store data for all layers
SECDATA,0.00015,1,0.0,3 ! 1st layer: mat. #1, 0 deg, Th=0.00015 m
SECDATA,0.00015,1,45,3 ! 2nd layer: mat. #1, 45 deg, Th=0.00015 m
SECDATA,0.00015,1,-45,3 ! 3rd layer: mat. #1, -45 deg, Th=0.00015 m
SECDATA,0.00015,1,90,3 ! 4th layer: mat. #1, 45 deg, Th=0.00015 m
SECDATA,0.00015,1,90,3 ! Same layers in symmetrical order
SECDATA,0.00015,1,-45,3
SECDATA,0.00015,1,45,3
SECDATA,0.00015,1,0.0,3
SECOFFSET,MID ! Nodes on the laminate middle thickness
RECTNG,0,0.150,0,0.075 ! Creates a rectangle
ESIZE,0,20 ! No. of element divisions = 20
AMESH,ALL ! Mesh the area
FINISH ! Exit pre-processor module
/SOLU ! Solution module
ANTYPE,2 ! Modal analysis
MODOPT,LANB,5,0,2000 ! Block Lanczos, 5 modes, 0 to 2000 Hz
MXPAND,5
DL,4,1,ALL,0 ! Impose clamped boundary condition
/FINISH ! Exit solution module
/POST1 ! Post-processor module
SET,LIST ! List solutions
SET,1,2 ! Set mode number 2 shape
PLDISP,1 ! Display the mode 2 shape displacements
FINISH ! Exit post-processor module

538 Polymers & Polymer Composites, Vol. 24, No. 7, 2016

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