Damping prediction of composite sandwich plates using assumed strain plate bending elements based on Reddy's higher order theory

Two new C° assumed strain finite element formulations of Reddy’s higher order theory are used to determine the natural frequencies and loss factors of layered anisotropic composite and sandwich plates. Material properties typical of glass fiber polyster resins for skin and PVC foam damping material for the core are used to show the parametric effects of plate aspect ratio, length to thickness ratio on the natural frequencies and loss factors. A consistent mass matrix is adopted in the present formulation. Both linear and non-linear damping are considered. The results presented in this investigation should be useful in better understanding the behaviour of damped sandwich composite plates and potentially beneficial for designers of sandwich structures