Dynamic Analysis of a Composite Structure under Random Excitation Based on the Spectral Element Method

Abstract

AbstractThe application of the composite materials in the aeronautical and aerospace industries has been increasing over the last several decades. Compared to conventional metallic materials, they present better strength to weight and stiffness to weight ratio. However, they can also present a high level of uncertainty, mainly associated with the manufacturing processes. Besides the uncertainty in the composite material parameters, which can play a role in the structural dynamic response, randomness can also be associated with boundary condition and external excitation sources. This paper treats the dynamic analysis of a composite beam under random excitation and uncertainties in the boundary condition. The beam is modelled by the spectral element method, a wave propagation technique. Some numerical examples are used to study the influence of random source on the dynamic behaviour of the composite structure.