Damping Analysis of Orthotropic Composites with Interleaved Viscoelastic Layers: Modeling

ABSTRACT: The damping of orthotropic laminates with a single or two interleaved viscoelastic layers is analyzed in the case of rectangular plates. The natural frequencies and modes are first derived using the Ritz method. Next, the transverse shear stresses are deduced from the fundamental equations of motion and then the transverse shear energies can be obtained in each layer. Lastly, the laminate damping is evaluated from the different energies dissipated in orthotropic and viscoelastic layers. Angle-ply laminates with interleaved viscoelastic layers and laminates with external viscoelastic layers are also considered. The modeling developed in this study shows how it is possible to describe the damping effect of interleaved viscoelastic layers considering an energy approach. The process is applied to the case of rectangular plates using the Ritz method. In the case of complex structures, the damping modeling considered in this study can be easily implemented using a finite element procedure. KEY WORDS: vibration damping, orthotropic laminate, interleaved viscoelastic layers, modeling