Linearized Frequencies and Damping in Composite Laminated Beams Subject to Buckling

Abstract

This paper considers the damped small-amplitude free-vibration of composite laminated strips subject to large in-plane forces and rotations. A theoretical framework is formulated for the prediction of the nonlinear damping of composite laminates subject to large Green–Lagrange axial strains and assuming a Kelvin viscoelastic solid. An extended beam finite element is developed capable of providing the nonlinear stiffness and damping matrices of the system. The linearized damped free-vibration equations associated with the deflected strip shape in the pre- and postbuckling region are presented. Numerical results quantify the strong geometric nonlinear effect of compressive in-plane loads on the modal damping and frequencies of composite strips. Measurements of the modal damping of a cross-ply glass/epoxy beam subject to buckling were also conducted and correlate well with the finite element predictions.