Composite Structures 9 (1988) 247-255

Effect of Fibre Orientation and Boundary Conditions on the

Vibration Behaviour of Orthotropic Square Plates

S. K. M a l h o t r a , a N. G a n e s a n b and M. A. V e l u s w a m i '~
aFRP Research Centre, bApplied Mechanics Department, CMechanical Engineering
Department, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras 61~)036, India

ABSTRACT
The effect of fibre orientation on the frequencies of thin square orthotropic
plates is studied using the Rayleigh-Ritz method ~br various boundary
conditions. The main purpose of the study is to find out in what way
boundary conditions influence the frequencies of orthotropic square plates.

1 INTRODUCTION
Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP) are finding increasing applications in
aerospace structures due to their high strength to weight and high stiffness to
weight ratios. Determination of vibration behaviour of structural components made of FRP is necessary for their design.
Chelladurai e t a l . , 1 have done limited studies using the Finite Element
Method for the two boundary conditions and the fundamental frequency.
The present study is conducted for 5 boundary conditions, i.e. CCFC,
CCCC, CSSC, CCSC and SSSS (see Table 1 for conditions). The influence
of fibre orientation and boundary conditions on the second mode is also
studied.
Bert 2 derived a formula for the approximate values of fundamental
frequency of orthotropic plates of arbitrary shape and boundary conditions,
if frequencies of the corresponding isotropic plates are known.
247

Composite Structures 0263-8223/88/$03-50 1988 Elsevier Applied Science Publishers Ltd,

England. Printed in Great Britain

TABLE 1
Boundary
Sample

Conditions

Considered

Piutrforn~ und edge conditions

110.

(-TT-

clamped (C); -free

simply supported (S); -

(F)

Noration

CCFC

cccc

(ssc

, --D

ccsc

/,

El
,---7

ssss

l___;

2 RAYLEIGH-RITZ

METHOD

A rectangular plate element with coordinate directions

The bending strain energy of the plate is given by:

ss
h

(I

[C]T[D][C]dxdy

where,

LCl=

is shown in Fig. 1.

a and b are the lengths of the sides of the rectangular

d2w d2w aw
[

i)x2i)y2iJxi)l

plate.

Effect of fibre orientation on the frequencies of square orthotropic plates

249

where w is the transverse displacement in the Z direction, and

Di] = 5

k=l

(Oij)k(Z3 -- Z3-1)

where i equals 1,_2, 6; j equals 1, 2, 6; and N represents the number of layers.

The stiffness Qij is given in Ref. 3.
The kinetic energy of the plate is given by:
T =

~ob foa ~pt

1 '1~ 2 d x d y

(2)

.....

where: ~v = Ow/Ot; t represents time; p is mass per unit area; and r is the
plate thickness. Using eqns (1) and (2), U and T are evaluated.
Y

~1

Fig. 1. Rectangularorthotropicplate element.

3 METHOD OF SOLUTION
A series solution satisfying boundary conditions is taken as:

W~

~,
~ Wmn(J)rn(X) ~Jn(y) . . . . .
m=l,2 n=l,2

(3)

where (J)m(X) represents the beam function satisfying the plate boundary
condition in the X direction.
qJ,(y) represents the beam function satisfying the plate boundary condition in the Y direction.

251)

S. K. Malhotra. N. Ganesan, M. A. ~'e/uswami

In the present study the conventional beam functions given below are
assumed:

(~m(X) =

x)

cosh/~ma --COS/3m-a

--Tin

sinh/3m-a

x)

sin/3m-a

( cosh/3. ~'cos nv)b - 3'. ( sinh/3. ~s,n n bv)

tOo(y) =

The assumed displacement function is substituted in the energy equation.

Integrations have been carried out by the Gaussian Quadrature scheme.
The energy equations are variated to obtain the standard eigen value
problem. The resulting eigen value problem has been solved by a simultaneous iteration technique.

4 N U M E R I C A L EXAMPLES AND DISCUSSION

The above Rayleigh-Ritz formulation is used to study the effect of fibre
orientation and boundary conditions on the frequencies of square orthotropic
plates made of glass/epoxy, kevlar/epoxy, boron/epoxy and graphite/
epoxy, the material properties of which are given in Table 2. 4
In order to validate the present formulation, the fundamental frequency
parameter ()~ = pt'og~La/v'D~D2) of clamped square plate for which
solutions are available in Refs 1 and 5 are obtained and are shown in Table
3(a). For square plate, a = b = L, where L is the characteristic length of the
plate and o~ is the circular frequency. Our values are slightly higher than
those of Refs 1 and 5. Convergence study is carried out for the isotropic case
for the 2 boundary conditions, CCCC and SSSS (Table 3(b)). Frequencies
reported are upper-bound frequencies.

TABLE 2

Material Properties of Typical Unidirectional Composites 4

El
( G Pa )

E.,
( G Pa )

Tie

Composite

G le
( G Pa )

Specific
gravi O'

Glass/epoxy
Kevlar/epoxy
Boron/epoxy
Graphite/epoxy

38-6
76.(t
204-(I
181.0

8.27
5.50
18-50
1(I.30

0-26
(I.34
0.23
0.28

4.14
2.3(1
5.59
7-17

1.80
1.46
2.00
1.60

Effect o f fibre orientation on the frequencies o f square orthotropic plates

251

TABLE 3(a)
Clamped Square Plate

Material

wJA/

Fibre
orientation
tO)

Present solution

Re]~ 1

Re/~ _5

0
0
0
0

42.69
50-81
48.31
53.69

38.54
45.72
43.46
48.34

38-58
45.83
43.54
48.46

Glass/epoxy
Kevlar/epoxy
Boron/epoxy
Graphite/epoxy

TABLE 3(b)
lsotropic Materials

Boundary
condition

3 terms

4 terms

5 terms

CCCC

36-12

73.74

36.19

73.17

36.12

73.72

SSSS

19.76

49.40

19.76

49.40

19.76

49.4{)

Using 3 terms itself, a good convergence is obtained, so only 3 terms are used for this study to
minimise computer time.

TABLE 4
Glass/Epoxy ( ~ / ~ )

BC
CCFC
0
(deg. )
0
15
30
45
6(}
75
90

R-R
30.50
3(1.16
28-24
24.82
20.98
18-57
17.86

CCCC

CSSC

Bert

R-R

Bert

R-R

Bert

33.74
32.48
29.15
24.77
20.80
18.33
17.55

42.69
42.19
41.38
40.99
41.38
42.16
42-64

38.61
38.5(}
38.26
38.16
38.26
38.50
38.61

31.08
29.88
27.32
25.91
27.32
29.88
31-08

29-89
29.4(I
28.41
27.91
28-41
29.4()
29.89

Where R - R represents Rayleigh-Ritz method.

CCSC
R-R

Bert

40.31
36.85
4().03 36.62
38.51
35.75
36.31
34.27
33.43
32.44
30.33
30.00
29-15 29-91

SSSS
R-R

Bert

18.11
20.43
22" 17
23.2(I
22-17
20.43
18.11

19.23
2(}.12
21.81
22.6tl
21.81
20.12
19.23

252

5. K. Malhotra, N. Ganesan, M. A. Veluswami

TABLE 5
Kevlar/Epoxy ( \ h i )
BC
CCFC

CCCC

0
( deg. )

R-R

Bert

R-R

I)
15
311
45
611
75
911

35-14
34-95
34.33
28.22
20.66
15.65
14.18

43.54
41-44
35-75
28.18
18.40
15.94
14.32

50-81
50.07
48.63
47.77
48.55
50-07
50.81

CSS("

Bert
45-811
45.56
45.12
44.92
45.12
45.56
45.811

R-R
38.31
36./15
31.24
28.09
30-99
36-04
38.31

CCSC

Bert

R-R

Bert

36-06
35.11
33.18
32.17
33.18
35.11
36.06

49.71
49.08
47.39
44.38
43.21
32.31
29-94

44.95
44.52
40.28
39.12
37.50
34.611
33.34

SSSS
R-R

Bert

21-22
21.25
23-07
23-119
26.39
26-38
27.89
27-90
26.38
26.38
23.(17 27.9t}
21.24
21.25

TABLE 6
Boron/Epoxy ( \ ' ,kl)
BC
CCFC

CCCC

O
( deg. )

R-R

Bert

R-R

Bert

0
15
31)
45
60
75
911

34.65
33.43
32.38
26.73
19.90
15.71
14.63

38.91
36.97
31.97
25.24
18.97
14.97
13.77

48-31
47-58
46.21
45.32
46.09
47-58
48.31

41.16
411.90
411.56
41/.33
411.56
411.911
41.16

CSSC
R-R
36-54
34.33
311.72
26.51
3tl.72
34.31
36.54

CCSC

Bert

R-R

Bert

32.45
31.59
29.74
28-83
29.74
31.59
32.45

46-97
46-41
44.85
42.57
35.24
30.97
28.76

41t.23
39.82
38.71
36.59
33-79
31-16
31). 11

SSSS
R-R
20.04
21.86
25.11
26.59
25.1 I
21.811
20.114

Bert
18.97
20.67
23.76
25.15
23.76
20.67
18.97

Variation of the fundamental frequency parameter V ' ~ , with fibre

orientation for 5 boundary conditions and 4 materials is given in Tables 4 to
7. The results obtained by the Rayleigh-Ritz method are compared with
those obtained by Bert's formula/ It is observed that the Rayleigh-Ritz
method and Bert's formula give the same pattern of variation of ~
with
fibre orientation for the 5 boundary conditions (BCs) and 4 materials
considered, though the values of V'-~ obtained by the two methods differ a
little. Variation of the second frequency parameter x ~ 2 with fibre
orientation for 5 BCs is given in Tables 8 to 11.

Effect o f fibre orientation on the frequencies o f square orthotropie plates

253

TABLE 7
Graphite/Epoxy ( \ ~ )

BC
CCFC
0
(deg.)
0
15
3(1
45
60
75
90

R-R
38.87
36-67
36-47
30-01
21.74
15.87
14-00

CCCC

Bert

R-R

Bert

46.41
44.17
38.11
30-00
22.00
16.40
14.44

53.69
52-92
51-39
50-57
51-37
52.93
53.69

48-50
48-25
47.76
47.55
47.76
48.25
48.50

CSSC
R-R

Bert

41)-49
38.16
33.02
30.05
33.25
38.17
40.49

38.111
37-13
35.16
34.14
35.16
37.13
38.10

CCSC
R-R
52.85
52.14
5(I.32
46-41
39.96
33.97
31.42

SSSS

Bert

R-R

Bert

47.77
47.27
42.83
42-17
39.42
36.83
35.15

22.17
23.93
26.22
27.36
26.22
23.93
22.17

22.63
24.50
27.88
29.43
27.88
24.50
22-63

TABLE 8
Glass/Epoxy ( ~ M ) : R - R Solution

BC
0
(deg.)

CCFC

CCCC

(SSC

CCSC

SSSS

0
15
30
45
60
75
90

46.97
46.30
45.11
41.88
38.61
35-41
34.(11

65.08
65.24
75.30
77.94
69-38
64.83
60.85

44.82
48.47
56.49
61.50
55-17
49.87
44.95

37.11
39-93
46.34
51.31
45-12
39.48
37.10

32.83
35-61
39.13
40.22
39. l0
35.73
32.16

TABLE 9
Kevlar/Epoxy (Vh2) R - R Solution

BC
0

(deg.)

CCFC

CCCC

CSSC

CCSC

SSSS

0
15
3(1
45
6(1
75
90

58-58
58.25
55-43
49-74
42.42
34.33
31.06

48.45
56.06
62.29
69.78
62.27
57.53
56.59

35-113
47.39
63.67
72.13
60-96
47-14
39.46

56.71)
611.95
63.42
71.31
49.90
55.23
48.15

32-04
38.63
51.43
59.35
48.62
37.56
32.04

S. K. Malhotra, N. Ganesan, M. A. Veluswami

254

TABLE 10
Boron/Epoxy (\, ~ ) : R - R Solution
BC7
0
(deg.)

CCFC

CCCC

CSSC

CCSC

SSSS

0
15
30
45
60
75
90

55- 34
54.18
5 l-58
47-3t)
41-45
34.66
32.09

48.45
54.99
60.94
67.13
59.66
55.09
54.21

38.32
42.18
60.83
68.9(I
58.50
45.50
38.22

54.32
58.29
67.29
68.34
55.39
54.37
47.96

31.39
37.43
49.23
56.67
46-69
36-47
31.39

TABLE 11
Graphite/Epoxy (N/h2): R-R Solution
BC
0
(deg.)

CCFC

CCCC

CSSC

CCSC

SSSS

l)
15
3{1
45
60
75
90

62-36
60.74
58.94
52.68
44.12
34.30
30.52

32.93
40-12
54-00
62-44
50.86
38.92
32.96

41.40
50.69
67-11
76.115
64.09
48.65
41.34

52.85
53.7(1
56.32
77.73
53.39
50-32
48-73

32-6(t
38.32
51.72
59.53
47.7{I
36.64
32.17

This data will be of great use in design of composite structures made of

these materials. The following observations are made from Tables 4 to 11"
(1) Variation of ~
and x/h2 with fibre orientation follows the same
pattern for all the four materials considered. But for different
boundary conditions variation of ~
and X/~2 with fibre orientation
follows different patterns.
(2) BC-1 (CCFC)" The fundamental frequency parameter, X/~I
decreases with increase of fibre orientation angle 0. Decrease of X/h1
with 0 is less for glass/epoxy compared to the other 3 materials.
Similar variation of ~
is obtained by calculations based on Bert's
paper. 2 Second frequency parameter X/-Q2 also decreases with
increase of 0 for all the four materials.

Effect of fibre orientation on the frequencies of square orthotropic plates

255

(3) BC-2 (CCCC): ~

decreases as 0 increases from 0 to 45 becoming
minimum at 45 and repeats the symmetric pattern for 0 = 45 to 90 .
This is in agreement with the observations of Chelladurai et al. 1
Also, calculations based on Bert's paper 2 give a similar variation of
with 0.
Second frequency parameter x ~ 2 follows a reverse trend. X/~2
increases as 0 increases from 0 to 45 becoming maximum at 45 and
repeating the symmetric pattern for 0 = 45 to 90 .
(4) BC-3 (CSSC): Variation of ~
with 0 is similar to that for BC-2 but
values of x/M~ are lower than that for BC-2. Similar variation o f x / M is
obtained by calculations based on those of Bert. 2
Second frequency parameter x ~ 2 follows a reverse trend as in case of
BC-2.
(5) BC-4 (CCSC): ~
decreases as 0 increases from 0 to 9{). Similar
variation of ~
is obtained by calculations based on Bert's paper.2 _
Second frequency parameter ~ 2 follows a different pattern. V'M
increases as 0 increases from 0 to 45 , becoming maximum at 45 , the
value of ~
falls from 0 = 45 to 90 .
(6) BC-5 (SSSS): ~
increases as 0 increases from 0 to 45 becoming
maximum at 0 = 45 and repeating a symmetric pattern for 0 = 45 to
90 . This is in agreement with the observations of Chelladurai et al.
Also, the calculations based on those of Bert 2 give a similar variation
of ~
with 0.
Second frequency parameter ~
follows the same pattern as X/h-~.

REFERENCES
1. Chelladurai, T., Shastry, B. P. and Rao, G. V., Effect of fibre orientation on the
vibration behaviour of orthotropic rectangular plates, Fibre Sci. and Tech., 21
(1984) 73-81.
2. Bert, C. W., Fundamental frequencies of orthotropic plates with various
planforms and edge conditions, Shock Vib. Bull., 47 (1977) 89-94.
3. Jones, R. M., Mechanics of Composite Materials, McGraw Hill, London, 1975.
4. Tsai, S. W. and Hohn, H. T., Introduction to composite materials, volumes I and
II, Air Force Materials Laboratory Technical Report, TR-78-201, 1979.
5. Lekhnitskii, S. G., Anisotropic Plates, Gordon and Breach Sci. Pub., London,
1956.