Frequencies and mode shapes of cantilevered laminated composite plates

Abstract This work presents an analytical approach and accurate numerical results for the free vibration of cantilevered, symmetrically laminated rectangular plates. The problem is solved by the Ritz method, and the natural frequencies are calculated for a wide range of parameters: e.g., composite material constants, fiber angles and stacking sequences. Extensive results are presented for angle-ply and cross-ply laminated plates. The results are compared to those in the existing literature, and the effects of varying the parameters upon the free vibration frequencies and mode shapes are discussed.