Effect of Stacking Sequence on Free Vibration Frequencies of Laminated Composite Circular Cylindrical Shells

Abstract

This study compares the effect of stacking sequence on natural frequencies of cylindrical shells for different end conditions and vibration modes. For this purpose, an analysis of the natural frequencies of lam inated composite cylindrical shells is carried out using linear Reissner shell theory with the transverse shear deformation effects taken into account. The governing equations for the free vibration of laminated cylin drical shells are reduced to 10 first-order differential equations involving 10 unknowns. Natural frequencies and mode shapes are solved by using a combination of modal iteration and frequency trial methods for vari ous circumferential vibration modes, stacking sequences, and end conditions, including the nonconventional ones. The results show the efficient applicability of the combination of the modal iteration and frequency trial method to the solution of the shell vibration problem, and they give valuable information on the effect of the stacking sequence on the stiffness characteristics of composite cylindrical shells under different end conditions.