Structural Intensity of Laminated Composite Plates Subjected to Distributed Force Excitation

Purpose: The vibration energy transmission characteristics of laminated composite plates with straight or variable angle fiber paths subjected to distributed force excitations are explored in this paper. Methods: The dynamic responses as a function of frequency are calculated and evaluated using proposed analytical approach and numerical finite element (FE) method based on the first-order shear deformation theory. The FE model is firstly verified by the analytical method and used for the composite plates with various fiber paths. The FE-based structural intensities analysis is carried out to predict the energy transmission and distribution patterns on the laminated composite plates with various fiber paths. Results: The structural intensity streamlines and vectors representation explicitly offer the information of the energy sources, energy sinks and detailed vibration energy distribution and transmission paths. The fiber paths have significant influences on the dynamic responses and energy transmission paths. The results reveal that tailoring fiber paths could lead to the formation of vortex-type flows with low vibration levels. Conclusion: According to the structural intensity fields at the specific excitation frequencies, the tailorable fibers in the forced area or unforced area and curvilinear fibers could be tuned for vibration mitigation.