The Use of Strain Energy-Based Finite Element Techniques in the Analysis of Various Aspects of Damping of Composite Materials and Structures

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Abstract
This paper presents a review of the authors' recent work on the use of a strain energy-based finite element approach to the analysis of various aspects of damping of composite materials and structures. Particular interest was paid to the design and analy sis flexibility offered by finite element implementation of the strain energy method, and both micromechanical and macromechanical models are presented for the analysis of damping in composites. Previous work using micromechanical models to study the effects of fiber interaction, fiber aspect ratio, and fiber/matrix interphase size on the composite damping are described. Various macromechanical models for study of the effects of in terlaminar stresses, fiber orientation, vibration coupling, and constrained layer damping treatments in composites are discussed. Some experimental results from previous work are compared with analytical results from the strain energy-based finite element models. Finally, recommendations on ways of improving and optimizing damping in composites are offered. This review should be of interest to designers who must deal with vibration control and damping of composite materials and structures.