Vibration of Delaminated

Christian N. Della Composite Laminates: A Review

Dongwei Shu Fiber reinforced composite laminates are increasingly replacing traditional metallic ma-
e-mail: mdshu@ntu.edu.sg terials. The manufacturing process and service of the composite laminates frequently lead
to delamination. Vibration analysis is an integral part of most engineering structures. In
School of Mechanical and Aerospace the present article we provide a relevant survey on the various analytical models and
Engineering, numerical analyses for the free vibration of delaminated composites. A basic understand-
Nanyang Technological University, ing of the influence of the delamination on the natural frequencies and the mode shapes
50 Nanyang Avenue, of composite laminates is presented. In addition, other factors affecting the vibration of
Singapore 639798 the delaminated composites are discussed. Particular attention is given to composite
laminates having piezoelectric sensors and actuators, and ones subjected to axial
loadings. 关DOI: 10.1115/1.2375141兴

1 Introduction
Fiber-reinforced composite laminates are increasingly being
used in the construction of aerospace, mechanical, civil, marine,
automotive, and other high performance structures due to their
high specific stiffness and strength, excellent fatigue resistance,
longer durability as compared to metallic structures, and their
ability to be tailored for specific applications. Delamination,
which is a debonding or separation between individual plies of the
laminate, frequently occurs in composite laminates. Delamina-
tions may arise during manufacturing 共e.g., incomplete wetting,
air entrapment兲 or during service 共e.g., low velocity impact, bird
strikes兲. They may not be visible or barely visible on the surface,
since they are embedded within the composite structures. How-
ever, the presence of delaminations may significantly reduce the
stiffness and strength of the structures 关1,2兴 and may affect some
design parameters such as the vibration characteristics of the
structure 共e.g., natural frequency and mode shape兲. Delaminations
reduce the natural frequency, as a direct result of the reduction of
stiffness, which may cause resonance if the reduced frequency is
close to the working frequency. It is therefore important to under-
stand the performance of delaminated composites in a dynamic
environment.
Damage detection/structural health monitoring problems are
also considered in the frameworks of vibration analysis. The use
of the vibration characteristics is potentially an attractive form for
on-line damage detection 关3兴. Comprehensive reviews on
vibration-based damage detection methods have been presented
by Zou et al. 关3兴 on the model-dependent delamination identifica-
tion methods for composite structures, Salawu 关4兴 on the natural
frequency dependent damage-detection methods, and Doebling et
al. 关5,6兴 and Sohn et al. 关7兴 on general vibration-based damage
detection methods.
In the present article we aim to:
nates, while not included in the present article, provide the theo-
retical foundations upon which much later works on delamination
vibration have been based. For a fuller perspective, the reader is
referred to Kapania and Raciti 关8,9兴, Noor and Burton 关10,11兴,
Reddy and Robbins 关12兴, Reddy 关13兴, Ghugal and Shimpi 关14兴,
and Carrera 关15兴.
The scope of the present article on delamination vibration com-
prises three parts: 共a兲 composite laminates; 共b兲 composite lami-
nates with piezoelectric sensors and actuators; and 共c兲 composite
laminates under axial loading. The discussion is kept on a descrip-
tive level and for all the mathematical details the reader is referred
to the cited literature. Only the works in the English language are
reviewed in the present article.
2 Vibration of Delaminated Composite Laminates
A considerable amount of analytical models and numerical
analyses have been reported for the vibration analysis of compos-
ite laminates with delaminations. The majority of the available
methods can be categorized into two classes.
• Region approach: the delaminated laminate is divided into
sublaminates or segments and the continuity conditions are
imposed at the delamination junctions. Each of these sub-
laminates is analyzed using the equivalent single layer
共ESL兲 theories 共see Refs. 关10–14兴兲.
• Layerwise models: the laminate is modeled using the layer-
wise theories, which are based on piecewise, layer-by-layer
approximations of the response quantities in the thickness
direction 关11兴. The layerwise theories are subdivided into
two classes, the full layerwise theories and the partial layer-
wise theories 共see Refs. 关12,13兴兲. The delamination can be
modeled as an embedded layer or by introducing disconti-
nuity functions in the displacement fields.

共1兲 review and classify the available mathematical models for
the vibration of delaminated composite laminates. The dif-
ferent models are classified according to the fundamental
assumptions and theories used.
共2兲 compare the results of the different models, and whenever
possible, with experimental data.
共3兲 provide a basic understanding of the influence of the
delamination on the natural frequencies and mode shapes of
the composite laminates. In addition, other factors affecting
the vibration of delaminated laminates are discussed.
Many theories and computational models for composite lami-
Transmitted by Assoc. Editor Y. Narita.
2.1 Region Approach—One-Dimensional Models. To illus-
trate the approach for this group of methods, consider a beam with
a single through-width delamination, as shown in Fig. 1. The
delaminated beam is divided into three spanwise regions: a
delamination region and two integral regions 共undelaminated兲.
The delamination region is composed of two separate beam seg-
ments 共delaminated layers兲, which are joined at their ends to the
integral beam segments. The delaminated beam can now be ana-
lyzed as four interconnected beams. The equations of motion are
formulated for each of the beam segments. By imposing appropri-
ate boundary conditions at the ends of the two integral beam seg-
ments and continuity conditions at the delamination junctions, the
vibration response of the beam can be obtained.
Since the delamination region is considered as two separate
beam segments, there is a shift in the neutral axis of these seg-

Applied Mechanics Reviews Copyright © 2007 by ASME JANUARY 2007, Vol. 60 / 1

Fig. 1 Modeling of a beam with a single through-width delami-
nation „from Mujumdar and Suryanarayan †19‡, reprinted with
permission from Elsevier…
ments with respect to the reference axis of the integral beam seg-
ment. This gives rise to the coupling between the axial and flex-
ural vibrations. Therefore, apart from the continuity conditions of
transverse displacements, slopes, bending moments, and shear
forces at the delamination junctions, two additional conditions, the
continuity of axial forces and displacements need to be satisfied
共Fig. 2兲. The continuity condition of axial displacement, which
produces the differential stretching of the delaminated layers, con-
tributes substantially to flexural stiffness of the delaminated beam.
In a review on the stiffness controlled behavior of composite
laminates with delaminations presented by Mujumdar and Surya-
narayan 关16兴, the earliest reported model for the vibration analysis
of delaminated composite beams was presented by Ramkumar et
Fig. 2 Deformation and stress components in the delamina-
tion region: „a… deformation and stresses with the layers free to
slide; „b… deformation and stresses when the compatibility of
axial displacement is satisfied „from Mujumdar and Surya-
narayan †19‡, reprinted with permission from Elsevier…
2 / Vol. 60, JANUARY 2007
Fig. 3 Modeling of the delamination region for the “con-
strained mode”: „a… deformation in the “constrained mode”; „b…
contact pressure between the layers of the delamination region
„from Mujumdar and Suryanarayan †19‡, reprinted with permis-
sion from Elsevier…
al. 关17兴. They modeled the beam with a through-width delamina-
tion by using four Timoshenko beams. The coupling effect be-
tween the axial and transverse vibrations was neglected in their
analysis. The natural frequencies and mode shapes were then
solved by a boundary eigenvalue problem. Their results showed
that the predicted frequencies were consistently much lower than
the experimental results.
Wang et al. 关18兴 improved the model of Ramkumar et al. 关17兴
for an isotropic beam by including the effect of coupling between
the axial and transverse vibrations. The classical beam theory was
applied to each of the beams. They assumed that the delaminated
layers deformed “freely” without touching each other. This model
was referred to as the “free mode.” They found that for delami-
nated beams with a short and close to midplane delamination, the
natural frequencies were close to the experimental values. This
implied that the large discrepancy in the Ramkumar et al. model
was mainly due to the neglecting of the coupling effect.
Mujumdar and Suryanarayan 关19兴 showed that in the case of
off-midplane delaminations, the “free mode” model mode shapes
are physically inadmissible. This is because the delaminated lay-
ers were assumed to deform “freely” without touching each other,
and thus the delaminated layers will have different transverse de-
formation. To avoid this kind of incompatibility, they proposed a
model based on the assumption that the delaminated layers are
“constrained” and thus have identical transverse deformations. In
addition, the delaminated layers are assumed to be free to slide
over each other in the axial direction, except at their ends, which
are connected to the integral segments. This model was referred to
as the “constrained mode.” To “constrain” the delaminated layers,
an equal and opposite normal pressure acts on the lower surface of
the upper layer and upper surface of the lower delaminated layer
共Fig. 3兲.
Shu and Fan 关20兴 extended the “constrained mode” model for
bimaterial split beams. Their study focused on the influence of the
modulus ratio on the natural frequency of the delaminated beam.
Hu and Hwu 关21兴 extended the “constrained mode” model for
composite sandwich beams to include the transverse shear and
rotary inertia effects. They investigated the effects of the core,
faces and delamination on the natural frequencies of the beam,
and their corresponding mode shapes.
Tracy and Pardoen 关22兴 presented a similar “constrained mode”
model to study the effect of delamination on the natural frequency
of a simply supported composite beam. Their model allows for
Transactions of the ASME
independent axial and bending stiffnesses, and includes the effect
of contact between the delaminated layers. Experiments were per-
formed to verify their model.
Okafor et al. 关23兴 and Watkins et al. 关24兴 employed the Tracy
and Pardoen model for delamination prediction in composite
beams. A neural network based damage detection technique was
developed using the natural frequencies to predict the size and
location of the delamination. Further experiments were performed
to verify the analytical model and the accuracy of the damage
detection technique.
Valoor and Chandrashekhara 关25兴 extended the Tracy and Par-
doen model to include the effects of the transverse shear deforma-
tion and the rotary inertia. In addition, the Poisson effect was
included due to its significance in the analysis of angle-ply lami-
nated beams. The equations of motion were derived using Hamil-
ton’s principle. The natural frequencies obtained from the analyti-
cal model were used to train a backpropagation neural network to
predict the size and location of the delamination.
The “constrained mode” model, however, failed to predict the
opening in the mode shapes found in the experiments by Shen and
Grady 关26兴 and Lestari and Hanagud 关27兴. Shen and Grady 关26兴
presented an analytical model based on the Timoshenko beam
theory and the cracked beam theory. Two solutions were pre-
sented; one uses the “constrained mode” assumption and includes
the coupling effect between the axial and transverse vibrations,
and the other uses the “free mode” assumption but neglects the
coupling effect. The equations of motion were derived through the
Hu-Washizu-Barr variational method to include the virtual work
done by the inertial forces. The Galerkin procedure was used to
determine the natural frequency and the Rayleigh-Ritz method
was used to determine the mode shape of the beam. The numerical
results were verified using experimental data, which have been
widely used as benchmark values by many researchers.
In the investigations by Luo and Hanagud 关28–30兴, they used
an analytical model based on the Timoshenko beam theory and
piecewise-linear springs to simulate the “open” and “closed” be-
havior between the delaminated layers. The spring stiffness would
then be equal to zero 共0兲 for the “free mode” and infinity 共⬁兲 for
the “constrained mode.” They performed experiments to verify the
results of the analytical model and proposed a neural network-
based damage detection technique by using the dynamic response
of the delaminated beam 关28兴.
Wang and Tong 关31兴 introduced a nonlinear anti-
interpenetration constraint model to prevent the overlapping of the
delaminated layers during vibration. The Timoshenko beam
theory was used. The contact forces between the delaminated lay-
ers were expressed as a function of the relative transverse dis-
placements of the layers. Two types of functions were used,
namely, a linear spring function and a nonlinear Hertz-type func-
tion. The contact forces cause nonlinearity in the equations of
motion, which were solved using the finite difference method.
Luo et al. 关32兴 investigated the nonlinear vibration of composite
beams with an arbitrary through the width delamination by using
the “free mode” assumption. Their analysis includes the effect of
the transverse shear deformation but neglects the effect of the
rotary inertia. The equations of motion were discretized by the
Galerkin method using cubic B specimens as test functions. The
natural frequency of the delaminated beam was obtained by using
the incremental harmonic balance method.
More than one delamination is usually present in composite
laminates damaged by low velocity impact 关2兴. The available ana-
lytical solutions on multiple delaminations were based on the
Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Wang et al. 关33兴 presented a model
for composite beams with multiple delaminations by using the
“constrained mode” assumption. Recurrence relations relating the
integrations constants between adjacent segments having a differ-
ent number of delaminations were established by satisfying con-
tinuity conditions at the delamination junctions.
Kim and Hwang 关34兴 also presented an analytical solution us-
Applied Mechanics Reviews
Fig. 4 Deformation of section B between delamination and in-
tegral regions showing “rigid connector” and “soft connector”
„from Shu and Mai †38‡, reprinted with permission from
Elsevier…
ing the “constrained mode” assumption for delaminated honey-
comb sandwich beams. The equations of motion for the delami-
nated beam were derived by assuming that the shear strains in the
faceplates and the longitudinal stresses in the core are negligible.
Experiments were performed on honeycomb sandwich beams
with carbon/epoxy laminated composite faces and Nomex-aramid
honeycomb core to verify the validity of their model.
Lee et al. 关35兴 presented an analytical solution by using the
“free mode” assumption. The frequency equations of multiple
delaminated beams were obtained by dividing the global delami-
nated beam into beam segments and by imposing a recurrence
relation from the continuity conditions on each sub-beam. These
continuity conditions were determined by assuming a constant
curvature at the delamination junctions. The results of their ana-
lytical model were verified using experimental and finite element
results. Using similar assumptions, Park et al. 关36兴 presented an
analytical model using sequential operations for multiple concen-
tric delaminations.
Shu 关37兴 presented analytical solutions to investigate the vibra-
tion of sandwich beams with two delaminations at identical span-
wise locations 共double delaminations兲. Two assumptions were
considered, the contact mode, “free” and “constrained,” between
the delaminated layers and the local deformation at the delamina-
tion fronts. Shu and Mai 关38兴 investigated the local deformation
near the two fronts of delamination and identified the “rigid con-
nector” and the “soft connector” conditions 共Fig. 4兲. The cross
section in a “rigid connector” remains perpendicular to the de-
formed midplane of the beam, and thus takes account of the dif-
ferential stretching between the delaminated beams. The cross-
section of a “soft connector” remains perpendicular to the
undeformed beam, and thus neglects the differential stretching.
Shu’s assumptions lead to four combinations, namely, the “rigid
connector” and “constrained mode” 共RC兲, the “rigid connector”
and “free mode” 共RF兲, the “soft connector” and “constrained
mode” 共SC兲, and the “soft connector” and “free mode” 共SF兲.
Other analytical solutions for composite beams with multiple
delaminations were presented by Lestari and Hanagud 关27兴 based
on the piecewise-linear spring model 关28–30兴, and Shu and Della
关39,40兴 and Della et al. 关41,42兴 based on the “free mode” and
“constrained mode” assumptions.
2.2 Region Approach—Finite Element Models
2.2.1 One-Dimensional Models. Nagesh Babu and Hanagud
关43兴 developed a finite element 共FE兲 model for composite beams
by using the classical laminate theory 共CLT兲 and the “free mode”
assumption. The principle of minimum potential energy was used
JANUARY 2007, Vol. 60 / 3
Fig. 5 Delaminated beam modeled by beam finite elements
„from Zak et al. †48‡, with kind permission of Springer Science
and Business Media…
to derive the equations of motion, which was simplified to obtain
the standard eigenvalue equation. Two-noded elements with three
degrees of freedom were used. The continuity of the axial dis-
placement, transverse displacement, slope, moment, and shear
were satisfied at the delamination junction.
The following models employ the first-order shear deformation
theory 共FSDT兲.
Chakraborty et al. 关44兴 developed a model for asymmetric com-
posite beams by using the “free mode” assumption. Two nodes
and three degrees of freedom per node were used. Similar conti-
nuity conditions with the above mentioned model 关43兴 were used.
Krawczuk et al. 关45–47兴 and Zak et al. 关48兴 used the “free
mode” assumption in their studies. They used beam finite ele-
ments with three nodes, and three degrees of freedom per node
共Fig. 5兲. They relaxed the requirement of the continuity of the
moment and the transverse shear forces at the delamination junc-
tions, thus only the continuity of the axial displacement, trans-
verse displacement, and rotation were satisfied. The results of the
FE model were verified with experiments data 关48兴.
Ju et al. 关49兴 presented a model for composite beams with mul-
tiple delaminations 共Fig. 6兲. Three-noded, three degrees of free-
dom isoparametric beam elements were used to discretize the
delaminated beam. Their model includes the coupling effect be-
tween the axial and transverse vibrations due to the shifting of the
midplane of the delaminated layers and the coupling effect be-
tween the axial and bending stiffnesses due to nonsymmetric lami-
nate configuration of the delaminated layers. “Free mode” and
“constrained mode” analyses were presented. For the “free mode,”
all the nodal degrees of freedom in the delamination region are
independent, except those at the connecting nodes at the delami-
nation junctions, whereas for the “constrained mode,” the trans-
verse nodal deflections of the elements in the delamination region
are equal.
In the above models, the midplane of each of the sublaminates
is chosen as the reference surface. Zhu et al. 关50兴 presented a
reference surface element 共RSE兲 model where the reference sur-
face can be chosen at any position along the thickness of the
beam. Two-noded beam elements with three degrees of freedom
per node with additional three internal degrees of freedom were
used. Both the “free mode” and the “constrained mode” were
considered in their analysis.
Gummadi and Hanagud 关51兴 presented FE models based on the
FSDT and third-order shear deformation theory 共TSDT兲. The use
of the TSDT eliminates the use of the shear corrections factors,
which is important for FSDT. The “free mode” assumption was
Fig. 6 A typical finite element mesh for a delaminated beam
„from Ju et al. †49‡, reprinted with permission from Elsevier…
4 / Vol. 60, JANUARY 2007
Fig. 7 Schematic showing “penalty parameter/stiff spring”
connections „from Campanelli and Engblom †52‡, reprinted
with permission from Elsevier…
used in their analysis. Two-noded elements with three degrees of
freedom were used for the FSDT-based model, whereas two-
noded elements with four degrees of freedom were used for the
TSDT-based model. For the TSDT-based model, the continuity of
the axial displacement, transverse displacement, slope, and rota-
tion at the delamination junction were satisfied.
2.2.2 Two-Dimensional Models—First-Order Shear Deforma-
tion Theory. Campanelli and Engblom 关52兴 developed an FE
model for laminated composite plates. The model uses eight-
noded shear deformable plate elements. Each node had six de-
grees of freedom: three displacements and three rotations. The
delamination region contains a stack of upper and lower elements
whose interface was the location of the delamination. The upper
and lower elements were connected to the elements in the integral
region by using the penalty parameter approach, which is analo-
gous to connecting the upper, lower, and middle nodes with very
stiff springs 共Fig. 7兲. Experiments were performed to verify the
validity of the FE model.
Krawczuk et al. 关47兴 and Zak et al. 关48兴 used eight-noded plate
elements with five degrees of freedom per node 共Fig. 8兲. The
continuity of the transverse displacement, axial displacements,
and rotations were satisfied at the delamination junctions. Their
numerical results were verified with the experimental data 关48兴.
This model was extended by Ostachowicz and Kaczmarczyk 关53兴
for composite plates with embedded shape memory alloys that are
subjected to supersonic flow. Zak et al. 关54兴 improved the above
mentioned model 关47,48兴 by including contact forces between the
delaminated layers to satisfy the compatibility conditions between
Fig. 8 Delaminated plate modeled by finite elements „from
Krawczuk et al. †47‡, with kind permission of Springer Science
and Business Media…
Transactions of the ASME

Fig. 9 Finite element mesh of composite plates with rectangu-
lar delaminations „from Ju et al. †55‡, reprinted with permission
from Elsevier…
the vertical components of displacement of the contacting nodes.
These contact forces between two contacting nodes were modeled
using the penalty parameter approach.
Ju et al. 关55兴 studied the composite plates with multiple embed-
ded rectangular and elliptical delaminations by using eight-noded
isoparametric plate elements with five degrees of freedom per
node. In the delamination region, the delaminated layers are
meshed separately, as shown in Fig. 9, and the displacement fields
were considered to be independent “free mode.” The continuity of
axial and transverse displacements and rotations were satisfied at
the delamination junctions. Parhi et al. 关56兴 presented a similar
analysis for multiple through-width delaminations.
Chen et al. 关57兴 used isoparametric quadrilateral curved plate
elements with five degrees of freedom per node. Continuity of the
displacements and slopes were satisfied at the delamination junc-
tions. Virtual linear spring elements were inserted between the
delaminated layers to prevent overlapping between the two layers.
2.2.3 Two-Dimensional Models—Third-Order Shear Defor-
mation Theory. The third-order shear deformation theory 共TSDT兲
of Reddy 关58兴 has been extended to model the vibration of
delaminated composite laminates. In these models, the displace-
ment field satisfies the condition that the transverse shear stresses
vanish on the top and bottom faces of the laminates including the
delaminated interfaces. Either conforming finite elements 共four
nodes and eight degrees of freedom per node兲 or nonconforming
finite elements 共four nodes and seven degrees of freedom per
node兲 were used 共see Ref. 关13兴 for details兲.
Chattopadhyay et al. 关59兴 presented a model for the dynamic
stability of composite plates with delaminations. The “free mode”
assumption and conforming finite elements were used. The conti-
nuity conditions at the delamination junctions were modeled using
the penalty function approach. A similar analysis was presented by
Radu and Chattopadhyay 关60兴. However, in their analysis, the
continuity conditions at the delamination junctions were modeled
using the transformation matrix approach.
The above TSDT-based models have the disadvantage of re-
quiring C1 continuity of the transverse displacement component
关12,13兴. Hu et al. 关61兴 developed a model for moderately thick
composite laminates by using C0-type finite elements. This was
Applied Mechanics Reviews
Fig. 10 Kinematic assumptions of the layerwise theory: „a…
laminate; „b… displacements „from Saravanos and Hopkins †67‡,
reprinted with permission from Elsevier…
derived by introducing two artificial variables in the displacement
field to avoid the higher-order derivatives. Finite elements with
four nodes and seven degrees of freedom per node were used. The
continuity conditions at the delamination junction were satisfied
using the penalty function method. The natural frequencies were
determined using the “free mode” and “constrained mode” as-
sumptions. For the “constrained mode,” high stiffness springs
were placed between the node pairs of the two delaminated layers
in order that the upper and lower delaminated layers vibrate to-
gether without opening.
2.2.4 Three-Dimensional Models. Tenek et al. 关62兴 developed
an FE model based on the three-dimensional theory of linear elas-
ticity for composite plates. Isoparametric, trilinear, eight-node
brick elements were used. Two sets of nodes were placed at the
interfaces between layers, one belonging to the upper layer and
the other to the lower layer. At the integral regions, these nodes
were constrained to vibrate together by imposing the continuity of
the displacements. At the delamination region, theses nodes were
allowed to vibrate independently 共“free mode”兲. This assumed that
the delaminations were infinitely thin and may appear between
layers of the same or different fiber orientation.
Yam et al. 关63兴 presented a three-dimensional finite element
model for a composite plate with an internal delamination. Eight-
noded rectangular thin plate elements with three degrees of free-
dom per node were used. The displacements and their variations
of each pair of coincident nodes of two adjacent laminae were
assumed to be equal, except at the delamination region. Virtual
spring elements were inserted between the delaminated layers to
allow the deformation of the layers without penetration. This
model was employed by Wei et al. 关64兴 in combination with wave-
let transform to detect delaminations in composite plates. The re-
sults of the numerical analysis were verified with experimental
data.
2.3 Layerwise Models
2.3.1 Full Layerwise Models. The available full layerwise
models were based on the layerwise theory of Reddy 关65兴 and
Barbero and Reddy 关66兴. The kinematic assumptions of the Red-
dy’s layerwise theory were modified to include the discontinuities
in the in-plane and through-the-thickness displacements induced
by the delamination 共Fig. 10兲. The displacement fields are supple-
mented with Heaviside unit step functions that allow discontinui-
ties in the displacements 关66兴.
Saravanos and Hopkins 关67兴 developed an analytical model for
predicting natural frequencies, mode shapes, and modal damping
of delaminated composite beams. Experiments were conducted on
composite beams with a single delamination, and the results cor-
related well with the results of the analytical model. This model
was employed by Chrysochoidos and Saravanos 关68兴 to assess the
damped dynamic response of composite beams with piezoelectric
sensors and actuators.
Lee 关69兴 developed an FE model for composite beams with
JANUARY 2007, Vol. 60 / 5
multiple delaminations. The equations of motion were derived us-
ing Hamilton’s principle. Solutions for open and closed delamina-
tions were presented.
2.3.2 Partial Layerwise Models. Averill 关70兴 developed an FE
model based on the first-order zigzag theory 关71,72兴 for moder-
ately thick laminated beams with multiple delaminations. The zig-
zag theory requires transverse shear stress continuity at the layer
interfaces and traction-free boundary conditions at the top and
bottom faces of the laminates. To model the delamination, a very
thin layer with compliant material stiffness is placed between the
laminae. This method is called the compliant layer concept or
embedded layer approach, which is valid for modeling delamina-
tions provided that the delaminations remain closed.
Other zigzag models for composite plates with multiple
through-width delaminations were presented by Kim et al. 关73,74兴
using the first-order zigzag theory 共FOZZ兲 and Cho and Kim 关75兴
using the third-order zigzag theory 共TOZZ兲 关76,77兴. The first-
order 关73,74兴 or third-order 关75兴 shear deformation based dis-
placement field was used to address the overall response of the
entire laminate and the layerwise functions were used to accom-
modate the complexity of zigzag-like in-plane deformation
through the laminate thickness. Similarly with the above full lay-
erwise models 关66–69兴, the multiple delaminations were modeled
by supplementing the assumed displacement field with Heaviside
unit step functions. These models were implemented using finite
elements.
Another type of partial layerwise model using finite elements
was presented by Gadelrab 关78兴. Two types of elements were
used. The first element, which represents the integral regions, is
composed of two stacked laminae. The compatibility conditions of
the axial and transverse displacements at the interface of the two
laminae were satisfied. However, the laminae are allowed to have
different rotations. The second element, which represents the
delamination region, is composed of two laminae connected at
their ends. Hence, the compatibility conditions of the axial and
transverse deformations were satisfied only at their ends.
2.4 Other Models. The earliest reported investigation on the
vibration of delaminated composites was presented by Kulkarni
and Frederick 关79兴. They considered an isotropic clamped-
clamped circular cylindrical shell with a circumferentially sym-
metric crack at the middle surface. The delamination region was
analyzed as a region of reduced bending stiffness. Although their
study was a good beginning, their results were limited to provide
specific conclusions.
In a method presented by Harrison and Butler 关80兴, the delami-
nated beam is assumed to have a reduced shear rigidity. The shear
rigidity of the delaminated beam was estimated using a static
beam model. This estimated shear rigidity was incorporated to the
dynamic stiffness method, which was used to determine the natu-
ral frequency and the mode shape of the beam. Based on this
method, a gradient-based optimization technique and a genetic
algorithm were used to locate the delaminations in the composite
beams. The results of their model agree well with their experimen-
tal data.
Rosettos 关81兴 developed a model to study the fundamental fre-
quency of a slightly curved sandwich beam, which may contain a
delamination. A nondimensional variational approach was devel-
oped using the principle of minimum potential energy. The sand-
wich beam includes strain energy due to initial curvature. The two
equal face sheets were assumed to take on the bending and axial
strain energies while the core takes only the shear energy. To
include the effect of the delamination, the shear strain energy was
considered zero at the delamination region since the shear stress is
zero at the delamination edge. It was shown that the sensitivity of
the natural frequency to the length of delamination is greater for
straight beams than for initially curved beams.
Birman and Simitses 关82兴 analyzed the effects of delamination
on the stiffness and the natural frequency of sandwich beams with
6 / Vol. 60, JANUARY 2007
cross-ply facings with transverse cracks. Their solution was based
on subdividing the representative cell between two adjacent trans-
verse matrix cracks into sections with and without delaminations.
The stiffness of the cell was derived as a function of the transverse
matrix crack spacing and the length of the delamination and, sub-
sequently, the natural frequency of the simply supported beam
was determined.
Ostachowicz and Krawczuk 关83兴 analyzed the natural fre-
quency of a composite beam with delamination originating from a
transverse crack. Finite elements with two nodes and two degrees
of freedom per node were used. The delamination was modeled
using the concept of strain energy release rate and by the applica-
tion of the Castigliano’s theorem.
3 Vibration of Delaminated Composites With Piezo-
electric Sensors and Actuators
The development of piezoelectric-based smart materials could
bring to reality the use of the vibration-based monitoring tech-
niques for composite structures 关3兴. The piezoelectric materials
have been a primary focus of attention in the research of smart
materials and structural systems because of their ability to trans-
form electrical energy to mechanical energy, and vice versa, that
is, to function both as sensors and actuators 关84兴. For an overview
of the mechanics and computational models for composite lami-
nates with piezoelectric sensors and actuators, the reader may con-
sult the articles by Chee et al. 关85兴, Reddy 关86兴, Benjeddou 关87兴,
Gopinathan et al. 关88兴, and Saravanos and Heyliger 关89兴. In this
section, we review the models for delaminated composite lami-
nates with piezoelectric sensors and actuators and classify them
according to the classification by Saravanos and Heyliger 关89兴. In
addition, the different models used to study the effects of the
debonding of the piezoelectric on the vibration of the composite
laminates are presented.
3.1 Delamination in the Composite Laminates
3.1.1 Uncoupled ESL Models. For these models, the region
approach was employed and the piezoelectric coupling effect was
neglected in the equations of motion. The piezoelectric effect is
modeled as an induced strain in the location of the piezoelectric
element.
Tan and Tong 关90兴 presented an analytical model of a delami-
nated composite beam with piezoelectric sensors. The top and
bottom faces of the beam are bonded with a piezoelectric layer.
The “free mode” assumption was used in their analysis. A similar
approach was presented for a delaminated composite beam with
piezoelectric fiber reinforced composite 共PFRC兲 sensor/actuator
关91兴.
Islam and Craig 关92兴 presented an FE model for composite
beams with embedded piezoelectric sensors/actuators. The “free
mode” assumption and the FSDT were used in their analysis.
Two-noded isoparametric beam elements with three degrees of
freedom per node were used. Experiments were carried out to
verify the results of the model. A neural network technique was
developed by using the frequency results to detect delamination in
the composite laminates.
Ray and Reddy 关93兴 presented an FE model using the FSDT
and the “constrained mode” assumption. Three-noded isoparamet-
ric beam elements with three degrees of freedom per node were
used.
Chattopadhyay et al. 关94兴 presented an FE model for composite
beams with piezoelectric actuators based on the TSDT and the
“free mode” assumption. The piezoelectric actuators were surface
bonded on the composite laminates and was treated as another
surface layer. Two-noded elements with four degrees of freedom
per node were used.
Similarly, a TSDT-based FE model for composite plates with
piezoelectric actuators was presented by Chattopadhyay et al.
关95兴. Conforming finite elements were used and the continuity
conditions at the delamination junctions were satisfied using the
Transactions of the ASME
transformation matrix approach. A similar approach was presented
by Nam et al. 关96,97兴. However, nonconforming finite elements
were used and the continuity conditions were satisfied using the
penalty approach.
3.1.2 Coupled ESL Models. For these models, the region ap-
proach was employed and the piezoelectric coupling effect was
included in the equations of motion. Saravanos et al. 关98兴 pre-
sented an analytical solution for composite beams with piezoelec-
tric patches using the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and the “free
mode” assumption. Their model was used to investigate the influ-
ence of the delaminations on the mode shape of the beam and
detect the presence, sizes, and locations of the delaminations.
Keilers and Chang 关99,100兴 presented an FE model for com-
posite beams by using the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and the
“constrained mode” assumption. Two-noded elements with two
degrees of freedom were used. The piezoelectrics and delamina-
tions are assumed not to occur in the same region. Experiments
were performed to verify the results of the model. This method
was employed to detect delaminations in composites. Keilers
关101兴 further extended the above model for composite plates by
using the classical laminate theory.
Thornburg and Chattopadhyay 关102兴 developed a TSDT-based
FE model for composite plates with piezoelectric patches and in-
ternal delaminations. Nonconforming finite elements were used
and the continuity at the delamination junction was enforced by
means of a transformation matrix. In addition, the contact between
the delaminated layers was investigated using fictitious springs,
which was assumed to have zero stiffness under tension and stiff-
ness proportional to the transverse modulus of the plate when
subjected to compression.
3.1.3 Layerwise Models. Perel and Palazotto 关103兴 presented
an FE model for dynamics of a composite beam with delamination
and attached piezoelectric actuators using the full layerwise
theory. The transverse shear deformation and nonlinear through-
thickness variation of the longitudinal displacement were consid-
ered in their analysis. Two types of finite elements were devel-
oped: the first type of element describes the zone with
piezoelectric actuators attached to the beam surface. The piezo-
electric effect was modeled as an induced strain in the location of
the piezoelectric element. The segment covered with the piezo-
electric patch 共actuator兲 was assumed not to contain a delamina-
tion. The second type of element describes the zone without ac-
tuators and with delamination. The frequencies computed using
this method was in agreement with their experimental data.
Goshal et al. 关104兴 developed an FE model using the first-order
zigzag theory for delaminated composites and smart composite
plates. A coupled piezoelectric-mechanical formulation was used
in the development of the constitutive equations to model piezo-
electric composite plates. The contact problem of delaminated in-
terfacial surfaces was modeled using linear springs to provide an
accurate description of the transient behavior. The accuracy of the
results of the model was validated through a comparison with
experimental data. Chattopadhyay et al. 关105兴 presented a similar
model for composite laminates with embedded or surface piezo-
electric actuators and with embedded multiple delaminations.
3.2 Debonding Between Piezoelectric Sensors/Actuators
and Composite Laminates. Tylikowski 关106兴, Tong et al. 关107兴,
and Sun et al. 关108兴 presented analytical models for a smart beam
with a debonded piezoelectric actuator. The region approach and
classical beam theory was used. For the region with debonding, it
was assumed that there is no stress transferring between the host
beam and the piezoelectric actuator/sensor.
Using similar assumptions with the above models in the deb-
onding region, Luo and Tong 关109兴 presented a finite element
model based on the first-order shear deformation theory. The pi-
ezoelectric coupling effect was included in the equations of
motion.
Seeley and Chattopadhyay 关110–112兴 investigated the effects of
Applied Mechanics Reviews
debonding between piezoelectric sensors/actuators on the behav-
ior of smart composite plates by using an FE model based on the
TSDT and “free mode” assumption. The induced strain analysis
was used to model the piezoelectric effects. Nonconforming finite
elements were used. Continuity conditions at the delamination
junctions were satisfied using the penalty function approach. The
results of the numerical model were in good agreement with the
experimental data 关113兴.
4 Vibration of Delaminated Beam and Plates Under
Axial Compressive Loading
Relatively little research for the vibration of composite lami-
nates under compressive axial loading have been reported. The
available models can be classified into two classes: the region
approach and reduced stiffness models
4.1 Region Approach Models. Chen 关114兴 analyzed the free
vibration of isotropic prebuckled and postbuckled beam plates
with a delamination located symmetrically about the beam center.
For the prebuckled states, the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and
“constrained mode” assumption were used. For the postbuckled
states, the “free mode” assumption was used and the transverse
shear deformation effect was included in the formulation. Results
showed that in the prebuckled region, the vibration modes were in
phase global natural modes, while in the postbuckled state, three
distinct types of vibration modes were observed—near-local
mode, near global mode, and general mixed mode. It was also
found that the vibration characteristics of plates were significantly
influenced by long and thin delaminations.
Chen et al. 关115,116兴 studied the prebuckled composite beam
with an arbitrary delamination location by using an analytical
model based on the classical laminate theory and “constrained
mode” assumption. Their analysis includes the bending-extension
coupling due to the nonsymmetry of the delaminated layers. Ex-
periments were conducted on a simply supported beam to verify
the results of the analytical model. Their study showed that the
natural frequency decreases with increasing compressive load. A
drastic decrease in the frequency was observed when the delami-
nation reaches a critical length 共about 50% of the beam length兲.
Yin and Jane 关117兴 presented an analytical solution for the vi-
bration of a postbuckled isotropic beam with a delamination lo-
cated symmetrically about the beam center. Their formulation was
based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and the “free mode”
assumption. Their study showed that short delaminations, which
do not significantly degrade the overall stiffness of the beam plate,
have little effect on the lowest modes of vibration and their fre-
quencies, while the presence of a long delamination generally
introduces additional vibration frequencies. This model was ex-
tended by Jane and Chen 关118兴 for delaminated beam plates with
arbitrary delamination location.
Chang and Liang 关119兴 presented an analytical solution for
postbuckled delaminated isotropic beam plates. Based on the re-
vised boundary conditions and governing partial differential equa-
tions, the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the postbuckled
delaminated beam plates were determined using the separation of
variables. Their results showed that the natural frequencies and
mode shapes were substantially affected by the changes of the size
and location of the delaminations and the magnitude of the axial
compression.
The above models on postbuckled beam plates 关117–119兴 ne-
glect the effect of the transverse shear deformation. The analytical
solutions by Chen 关114兴 and Chen and Goggin 关120兴 include the
transverse shear deformation effects, which were found to have a
significant effect on the buckling load and the post-buckling
deformation.
Lu and Hanagud 关121兴 presented an analytical solution for
composite beams with two through-width delaminations subjected
under axial compressive load. The “free mode” assumption and
the Timoshenko beam theory were used. The coupling of the axial
JANUARY 2007, Vol. 60 / 7
Fig. 11 Model of a delaminated plate for continuous analysis
„from Chang et al. †124‡…
and flexural motions was considered in their analysis. Their re-
sults showed that the natural frequency and the mode shape were
significantly affected by long and thin delaminations.
Lee et al. 关122兴 presented an analytical method for composite
beam columns with multiple delaminations. The “free mode” as-
sumption and the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory were used. The
characteristic equation of the multiple delaminated beam columns
was obtained by dividing the global multiple delaminated beam
columns into segments and by imposing recurrence relation from
the continuity conditions of each sub-beam column. The general
continuity conditions were derived from the assumption of con-
stant slope and curvature at the multidelamination tip. Experi-
ments were conducted to verify the analytical results.
4.2 Reduced Stiffness Models. Two methods were presented
by Jane and Harn 关123兴 for beams with multiple delaminations.
For both methods, the delamination region was treated as a beam
with a reduced flexural stiffness. The first method is a series so-
lution to the governing equations of motion, which was applied to
a simply supported beam. The variation of stiffness was repre-
sented by a Fourier series. The second solution is a Ritz method,
which was used to analyze simply supported and clamped-
clamped beams.
Chang et al. 关124兴 presented a model for composite plates based
on the concept of continuous analysis. The delaminated plate was
analyzed as a plate on an elastic foundation 共Fig. 11兲. The plate
was treated as a plate on a continuously distributed support, but
Fig. 12 Effect of thickness-wise location on the fundamental
frequency of a clamped-clamped beam with a central delamina-
tion „from Mujumdar and Suryanarayan †19‡, reprinted with per-
mission from Elsevier…
8 / Vol. 60, JANUARY 2007
Fig. 13 Influence of modes and connectors „from Shu †37‡,
reprinted with permission from Elsevier…
with added transverse forces in the delamination region. The elas-
tic foundation was represented by an infinite set of parallel springs
with no shear coupling between them. This model was used to
study a simply supported rectangular plate with a midplane
delamination.
5 Theoretical and Experimental Results
In this section, a comparison among the results of the different
models is presented. First, the results of the “free mode” model
关18兴 and “constrained mode” model 关19兴 are compared. Also, the
significance of the assumptions on the modes and connectors 关37兴
are discussed. Next, the results of the analytical and FE models
are compared with experimental data. Finally, the results of the
laminate theories are compared.
5.1 Comparison Between the “Free Mode” and “Con-
strained Mode” Models. Mujumdar and Suryanarayan 关19兴 com-
pared the frequency results of “free mode” and “constrained
mode” models with experimental data. The experiments were car-
ried out on beam specimens made by bonding stainless steel strips
with a very thin adhesive layer. The delamination was simulated
by bonding only a part of the beams surfaces to create the delami-
nation of various sizes in various locations. They showed that for
midplane delaminations, the results of the two models are identi-
cal and in good agreement with the experimental data. For off-
midplane delaminations, for the fundamental frequency, the re-
sults of the two models are close with each other and are in good
Fig. 14 Thicknesswise location of delamination in the com-
posite beam „from Shen and Grady †26‡…
Transactions of the ASME
 Table 1 Analytical and experimental results „Interface 1 frequencies, Hz…

Experimental 关26兴 FSDT 关26兴 FSDT 关30兴 CLTa CLTb 关39兴

Delamination
length Exp 1 Exp 2 Exp 3 Cons Free Cons Free Cons Free Cons Free

Intact 79.88 79.88 79.75 82.04 82.04 81.86 81.86 81.88 81.88 81.88 81.88
25.4 mm 78.38 79.13 77.00 80.13 67.36 81.84 81.84 80.72 80.72 80.47 80.47
50.8 mm 74.38 75.00 76.75 75.29 56.48 76.81 76.81 76.36 76.36 75.36 75.36
76.2 mm 68.25 66.25 66.38 66.94 67.64 67.64 47.90 68.17 68.17 66.14 66.13
101.6 mm 57.62 57.50 57.50 57.24 40.59 56.95 56.95 58.35 58.35 55.67 55.67

a
Without bending-extension coupling.
b
With bending-extension coupling.

agreement with the experimental data. However, for the second
vibration mode, the “constrained mode” results are closer to the
experimental values.
For a clamped-clamped isotropic beam, the “constrained mode”
model shows a decreasing frequency as the delamination moves
towards the midplane 共Fig. 12兲. This is because the bending stiff-
ness decreases as the delamination moves towards the midplane.
In contrast, the “free mode” model shows an increasing frequency.
Since the “free mode” model is dependent on the thinner of the
delaminated layers, the increasing thickness increases the natural
frequency 关37兴. It is further observed that the “constrained mode”
and “free mode” results are identical for midplane delamination.
This is because the delaminated layers are of equal thickness and
thus vibrate in a constrained manner.
It should be noted that in the above models, the coupling effects
of the axial and transverse vibrations 共or the differential stretch-
ing兲 are considered. The study by Wang et al. 关18兴 on a clamped-
clamped beam showed that by neglecting the coupling effect, the
frequencies were much lower than when coupling effect was con-
sidered. However, the coupling effect is negligible for very long
delaminations 共greater than 80% of the beam span兲 and also for
the even modes of vibration.
Shu 关37兴 further investigated the effects of the modes 共“free”
and “constrained”兲 and the connectors 共“soft” and “rigid”兲 on the
natural frequency of the beam. The “soft connector” neglects the
differential stretching, whereas the “rigid connector” takes ac-
count of the differential stretching. For a clamped-clamped beam,
the effect of the modes is less significant for short delaminations,
whereas the effect of the connector is less significant for very long
delaminations 共Fig. 13兲. For a cantilever beam, the results are
dominated by the connectors.
5.2 Comparison With Experimental Results. As previously
mentioned, the experimental data by Shen and Grady 关26兴 have
been widely used by many researchers to validate their models.
The beam is made of a T300/934 graphite/epoxy cantilever beam
with a 关0 deg/ 90 deg兴2s stacking sequence. The dimensions of the
8-ply beam are 127⫻ 12.7⫻ 1.016 mm3. The material properties
for the lamina are: E11 = 134 GPa, E22 = 10.3 GPa, G12 = 5 GPa,
␯12 = 0.33, and ␳ = 1.48⫻ 103 kg/ m3. All the delaminations are at
midspan and the lengths are 25.4, 50.8, 76.2, and 101.6 mm. The
locations of the delaminations along the thicknesswise direction
are shown in Fig. 14.
A comparison of the results of the analytical solutions with the
experimental data is presented in Tables 1–4, whereas the FE re-
sults are presented in Tables 5–8. The results of the different mod-
els have been shown to be in good agreement with the experimen-
tal data, except at Interface 4 共Tables 4 and 8兲. It was shown that
the experimental results are closer to the predicted frequencies
that neglect the coupling effect. This might be an experimental

Table 2 Analytical and experimental results „interface 2 frequencies, Hz…

Experimental 关26兴 FSDT 关26兴 FSDT 关30兴 CLTa CLTb 关39兴

Delamination
length Exp 1 Exp 2 Exp 3 Cons Free Cons Free Cons Free Cons Free

Intact 79.88 79.88 79.75 82.04 82.04 81.86 81.86 81.88 81.88 81.88 81.88
25.4 mm 78.38 78.38 76.63 81.39 68.78 80.86 80.86 81.00 81.00 80.58 80.58
50.8 mm 75.13 75.25 75.00 78.10 59.44 76.62 76.62 77.45 77.45 75.81 75.81
76.2 mm 64.00 70.00 69.88 71.16 51.18 68.80 68.80 70.43 70.42 67.05 67.05
101.6 mm 45.75 49.75 49.50 62.12 43.86 59.34 59.34 61.50 61.49 56.86 56.86

a
Without bending-extension coupling.
b
With bending-extension coupling.

Table 3 Analytical and experimental results „interface 3 frequencies, Hz…

Experimental 关26兴 FSDT 关26兴 FSDT 关30兴 CLTa CLTb 关39兴

Delamination
length Exp 1 Exp 2 Exp 3 Cons Free Cons Free Cons Free Cons Free

Intact 79.88 79.88 79.75 82.04 82.04 81.86 81.86 81.88 81.88 81.88 81.88
25.4 mm 79.63 80.13 80.63 81.46 81.46 82.02 82.01 81.57 81.57 81.53 81.53
50.8 mm 79.50 81.88 77.88 79.93 79.93 80.79 80.74 80.25 80.23 80.13 80.09
76.2 mm 75.63 77.13 78.13 76.71 76.71 77.82 77.52 77.27 77.16 77.03 76.75
101.6 mm 73.38 73.63 70.38 71.66 71.66 73.15 71.73 72.66 72.20 72.28 70.92

a
Without bending-extension coupling.
b
With bending-extension coupling.

Applied Mechanics Reviews JANUARY 2007, Vol. 60 / 9

 Table 4 Analytical and experimental results „interface 4 frequencies, Hz…

Experimental 关26兴 FSDT 关26兴 FSDT 关30兴 CLTa CLTb

Delamination
length Exp 1 Exp 2 Exp 3 Cons Free Cons Free Cons Free Cons Free

Intact 79.88 79.88 79.75 82.04 82.04 81.86 81.86 81.88 81.88 81.88 81.88
25.4 mm 75.38 75.25 77.25 81.60 75.83 82.04 82.03 81.72 81.72 81.57 81.57
50.8 mm 69.38 68.00 69.38 80.38 71.88 80.95 80.87 80.75 80.73 80.33 80.31
76.2 mm 65.38 59.63 —– 77.70 67.18 78.29 77.61 78.40 78.25 77.56 77.41
101.6 mm 52.75 57.88 56.25 73.15 61.70 74.05 69.44 74.59 73.81 73.22 72.51

a
Without bending-extension coupling.
b
With bending-extension coupling.

Table 5 FE and experimental results „interface 1 frequencies, Hz…

Experimental 关26兴 FSDT 关61兴 TSDT 关61兴 TSDT 关102兴

Delamination
length Exp 1 Exp 2 Exp 3 Cons Free Cons Free Free FOZZ关73兴 TOZZ 关75兴

Intact 79.88 79.88 79.75 82.00 82.00 81.87 81.87 82.11 82.13 81.90
25.4 mm 78.38 79.13 77.00 81.37 81.49 81.20
50.8 mm 74.38 75.00 76.75 76.64 76.64 76.52 76.52 76.73 77.19 76.60
76.2 mm 68.25 66.25 66.38 67.57 68.50 67.45
101.6 mm 57.62 57.50 57.50 77.01 77.01 56.56 56.56 56.89 56.94 57.78

Table 6 FE and experimental results „interface frequencies, Hz…

Experimental 关26兴 FSDT 关61兴 TSDT 关61兴 TSDT 关102兴

Delamination
length Exp 1 Exp 2 Exp 3 Cons Free Cons Free Free FOZZ关73兴 TOZZ 关75兴

Intact 79.88 79.88 79.75 82.00 82.00 81.87 81.87 82.11 81.13 81.89
25.4 mm 78.38 78.38 76.63 81.42 81.49 81.25
50.8 mm 75.13 75.25 75.00 77.02 77.01 76.89 76.89 77.11 77.19 76.96
76.2 mm 64.00 70.00 69.88 68.42 68.50 68.30
101.6 mm 45.75 49.75 49.50 57.90 57.87 57.69 57.72 58.04 58.11 57.95

Table 7 FE and experimental results „interface 3 frequencies, Hz…

Experimental 关26兴 FSDT 关61兴 TSDT 关61兴 TSDT 关102兴

Delamination
length Exp 1 Exp 2 Exp 3 Cons Free Cons Free Free FOZZ关73兴

Intact 79.88 79.88 79.75 82.00 82.00 81.87 81.87 82.11 82.13
25.4 mm 79.63 80.13 80.63 81.92 81.96
50.8 mm 79.50 81.88 77.88 80.56 80.61 80.50 80.45 80.65 80.74
76.2 mm 75.63 77.13 78.13 77.44 77.79
101.6 mm 73.38 73.63 70.38 72.85 71.44 72.61 71.21 71.66 73.12

Table 8 FE and experimental results „interface 4 frequencies, Hz…

Experimental 关26兴 FSDT 关61兴 TSDT 关61兴 TSDT 关102兴

Delamination
length Exp 1 Exp 2 Exp 3 Cons Free Cons Free Free FOZZ关73兴

Intact 79.88 79.88 79.75 82.00 82.00 81.87 81.87 82.11 82.13
25.4 mm 75.38 75.25 77.25 81.94 81.97
50.8 mm 69.38 68.00 69.38 80.75 80.74 80.64 80.62 80.83 80.88
76.2 mm 65.38 59.63 —– 78.04 78.23
101.6 mm 52.75 57.88 56.25 73.78 72.95 73.78 72.72 73.15 73.97

10 / Vol. 60, JANUARY 2007 Transactions of the ASME

 Fig. 15 Variation of natural frequency with length to thickness ratio of undelaminated
plate „from Chattopadhyay et al. †95‡…
error, as explained by Luo and Hanagud 关30兴. When the coupling
effect is neglected, the predicted frequencies are much lower than
the experimental results 关17兴. Furthermore, the experimental re-
sults by Kim et al. 关73兴 showed that the decrease in the natural
frequency is more pronounced when the delamination is closer to
the midplane than the surface, which is in contrast with the ex-
perimental results by Shen and Grady 关26兴.
The “free mode” and “constrained mode” model results using
CLT with and without the effect of the bending-extension cou-
pling in the bending stiffness terms is presented in Tables 1–4. It
is shown that the bending-extension coupling further reduces the
natural frequency.
5.3 Comparison Among Laminate Theories. In the above
comparison 共Tables 1–8兲, no evident advantage of the shear de-
formation theories 共FSDT and TSDT兲 over the CLT can be in-
ferred since the available data is from a slender beam. Gummadi
and Hanagud 关51兴 compared the frequency results of the CLT,
FSDT, and TSDT. They showed that for long delaminations, the
results of the three models are almost the same, whereas for short
delaminations, CLT results are different from the FSDT and
TSDT, which are almost the same.
Chattopadhyay et al. 关95兴 presented a more detailed comparison
among the frequency results of CLT, FSDT, and TSDT. They
showed that for second bending frequency and first torsional fre-
quency of an undelaminated plate, a significant difference be-
tween the frequencies exist between the CLT and the shear defor-
mation theories for a length to thickness ratio less than 25 共Fig.
15兲. In addition, they presented results for a delaminated plate
with length to thickness ratio of 15.7, the results of the CLT,
FSDT, and TSDT are close to each other for the first bending
Applied Mechanics Reviews
frequency 共Fig. 16兲. However, for the second bending frequency
and first torsional frequency, CLT results are different from the
FSDT and TSDT results, which are close to each other. However,
this difference decreases as the delamination length increases.
6 Effects of the Delamination on the Vibration of
Composite Laminates
In this section, the effect of the delamination on the natural
frequencies and mode shapes of the composite laminates are dis-
cussed. Some results from the literature are presented to illustrate
the points being discussed and not necessarily the only significant
contributions of the subject.
6.1 Size and Locations of the Delamination and Boundary
Conditions. In general, delamination decreases the natural fre-
quency and causes changes to the mode shape of the composite
laminate. This is due to the reduction of the stiffness caused by the
delamination.
As previously mentioned, the presence of delamination de-
creases the natural frequency of the laminate. However, results by
Mujumdar and Suryanarayan 关19兴 showed that a short delamina-
tion 共less than 25% of the beam length兲 does not significantly
affect the fundamental and second mode frequencies of the beam
for all boundary conditions 共Fig. 17兲. For longer delaminations
共greater than 50% of the beam length兲, the weakening effect of the
delamination is dependent on the boundary conditions. In fact, the
more restrained is the structure along its edges, the greater is the
effect on the natural frequency 关55兴. Other studies on composite
beams and plates showed that delamination of small size do not
significantly affect the lower vibration mode frequencies 共see, for
JANUARY 2007, Vol. 60 / 11
 Fig. 16 Variation of natural frequency with delamination length with plate length to
thickness ratio of 15.7 „from Chattopadhyay et al. †95‡…

Fig. 17 Effect of the delamination length on the fundamental and second mode frequen-
cies of the beam „from Mujumdar and Suryanarayan †19‡, reprinted with permission from
Elsevier…

12 / Vol. 60, JANUARY 2007 Transactions of the ASME

 Fig. 18 Changes in the natural frequencies of delaminated composite
cantilever beams: „a… fundamental frequency; „b… second bending fre-
quency; „c… third bending frequency „from Zak et al. †48‡, with kind per-
mission of Springer Science and Business Media…

example, Refs. 关22,26,55,67兴兲. sented similar observations 关62,73,126–128兴.

The experimental investigation by Zak et al. 关48兴 on cantilever
beams and plates with a single edge delamination further verifies
the results of the above studies 共Figs. 18 and 19兲.
Experimental investigation of Jian et al. 关125兴 on thin unidirec-
tional glass-fiber composite plates with circular delamination
showed that the first seven frequencies were significantly affected
by the midplane delamination as small as 0.34% of the plate area
共Fig. 20兲 and that the decrease in the natural frequency is more
pronounced at higher modes. Other experiment investigations pre-
However, the experimental investigation by Penn et al. 关129兴
showed that for thick composite plates, the first six frequencies is
not significantly affected by delamination sizes of less than 13%
of the plate area. An experimental investigation by Hou and
Jeronimidis 关130兴 on circular composite plates with an impact
induced delamination showed an increase in the natural frequency
of the composite due to the delamination. Further experimental
investigation showed that the increase in the frequency is due to
the increase in the bending stiffness caused by the local thickening

Applied Mechanics Reviews JANUARY 2007, Vol. 60 / 13

 Fig. 19 Changes in the natural frequencies of delaminated composite
cantilever plates: „a… fundamental frequency; „b… second bending fre-
quency; „c… third bending frequency „from Zak et al. †48‡, with kind per-
mission of Springer Science and Business Media…

in the delamination region 关131兴.
Studies showed that delamination locations also affect the natu-
ral frequencies of the laminate. It was observed that a delamina-
tion located at midplane and near the fixed end of the laminate
decreases the natural frequency most 关19,45–47,73,102兴.
Experimental investigations have shown that the presence of
delamination causes changes to the mode shape of the composites
关132,133兴. Also, nonlinearities in the mode shapes have been ob-
served. These nonlinearities can be caused by either or both of the
following factors:
• opening and closing of the delamination 共“delamination
breathing”兲; and
• contact/impact between the delaminated layers during
vibration.
In the experiments by Shen and Grady 关26兴 and Lestari and
Hanagud 关27兴, the “delamination breathing” was shown to cause
nonlinearity in the mode shapes 共Fig. 21兲. However, the “delami-
nation breathing”’ has been shown to have little effect on the
natural frequencies of low vibration modes when the delamination

14 / Vol. 60, JANUARY 2007 Transactions of the ASME

Fig. 20 The effect of the delamination on the natural frequen-
cies is more pronounced at higher modes „from Jian et al.
†125‡…

is small. 关29,102,134兴.
Further investigations by Lestari et al. 关135兴 and Lu et al. 关136兴
showed that for long delaminations and thin delaminated layers,
the nonlinearity of the vibration mode shapes is significant. How-
ever, for short delaminations, the nonlinearity is less significant
and the nonlinear mode shapes tend to linear mode shapes.
Similarly, for short delamination and lower vibration modes,
the nonlinearity due to the impact of the delaminated layers was
shown to be less significant 关134兴, and becomes significant for
long delamination at higher vibration modes 关102,134兴.
The delamination opening has been shown to be affected by the
boundary conditions. The more restrained the beams along its
edges, the larger is the delamination opening 共Fig. 22兲 关37兴.
The effect of the delamination on the strain mode shape was
investigated by Chattopadhyay et al. 关137兴. They employed their
earlier model based on the TSDT 关95兴. They showed that the
strain mode shape is more sensitive to delamination as compared
to the displacement mode shape. They suggested that the strain
mode shape can be used as a good indicator of delamination size
and locations. Similar results were obtained by Ling et al. 关138兴
on a homogeneous clamped-clamped beam by using the “con-
strained mode” model. The delamination has also been shown to
cause a significant change on the curvature mode shape of com-
posite beams and plates 关61兴. In addition, the influence of the
delamination on the curvature increases with an increasing vibra-
tion mode.
6.2 Multiple Delaminations. Studies on multiple delamina-
tions showed that the natural frequency decreases as the number
of delamination increases 共see, for example, Refs.
关35,50,55,62,69兴兲. However, the effect of a single long delamina-
Fig. 21 Opening mode of the delaminated beam: „a… funda-
mental frequency; „b… second bending frequency „from Lestari
and Hanagud †27‡, reprinted by permission of the American In-
stitute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.…
tion has been shown to be more significant than the effect of
multiple delaminations with comparable length located along the
same axial direction 关35,49,73兴.
Shu and Della 关39,40兴 and Della et al. 关41,42兴 examined the
influence of a second delamination on the natural frequency and
mode shape of the beam. Their studies showed that the presence
of a second delamination significantly influence the natural fre-
quency and the mode shape of the beam. However, the influence
of a second short delamination 共less than 25% of the beam length兲
is less significant.
6.3 Debonding of Piezoelectric. The study of Tylikowski
关106兴 showed that edge debonding does not significantly decrease
the natural frequency of the beam. In contrast, Tong et al. 关107兴
showed that piezoelectric debonding near the clamped end of the
beam can reduce the frequency values of the first three vibration
modes.

Applied Mechanics Reviews JANUARY 2007, Vol. 60 / 15

Fig. 22 Delamination opening increases with more restrained
at the beam edges „from Shu †37‡, reprinted with permission
from Elsevier…

Further study by Luo and Tong 关109兴 showed that edge debond-
ing decreases the first four frequencies of the smart beam. How-
ever, interior debonding hardly affects the natural frequencies.
Studies by Seeley and Chattopadhyay 关110–113兴 showed that a Fig. 23 Natural frequencies versus fiber angle for †0 / ␪‡s com-
debonding length of about 18% of the plate length significantly posites containing one and two delaminations „from Lee †69‡,
affects the natural frequency and the mode shape of the beam. reprinted with permission from Elsevier…

6.4 Delamination Around Cutouts. Ju et al. 关139兴 extended

their earlier model 关55兴 for composite plates with delaminations 7.2 Crack-Tip Singularity. Thornburg and Chattopadhyay
around circular and square cutouts. It was found that the effect of 关143兴 estimated the effect of the singularity at the delamination
the delaminations on the natural frequencies were dependent on crack tip on the natural frequency based on the difference between
the geometry of the cutout and the mode number. The mode the delamination end openings of two finite element meshes 共Fig.
shapes, however, were not significantly affected by the 24兲. Their results showed that for delamination length to laminates
delaminations. thickness ratios greater than five, the effect of the crack tip singu-
Kumar and Shrivasta 关140兴 developed an FE model for thick
square laminates with delamination around a central rectangular
cutout. The TSDT and the “free mode” assumption were used.
Their results showed that the presence of delamination around
moderate and large cutouts significantly affect the natural fre-
quency of the plate. Although the effect of the thicknesswise lo-
cation of the delamination was significant, the effect of the
delamination size was not significant for large cutouts.

7 Other Factors Affecting the Vibration of Delami-

nated Composite Laminates
7.1 Ply Orientation. Lee 关69兴 investigated the effect of the
stacking sequence on the fundamental frequency of a delaminated
cantilever composite beam, which was made of T300/5208 graph-
ite epoxy. The “constrained mode” assumption was employed. It
was observed that as the angle ␪ increases, the effect of delami-
nation on the fundamental frequency increases 共Fig. 23兲. Similar
results were obtained by Zhu et al. 关50兴.
Other studies 关74,103,141,142兴 also showed that changes to the
laminate stacking sequence affects the changes in the natural fre- Fig. 24 Deformed shape of the finite element meshes „from
quency caused by the delamination. Thornburg and Chattopadhyay †144‡…

16 / Vol. 60, JANUARY 2007 Transactions of the ASME


Fig. 25 „a… Error from neglect of crack tip singularity; „b… error
from neglect of crack tip singularity for varying delamination
locations „from Thornburg and Chattopadhyay †144‡…
larity is minimal 共Fig. 25兲. Thus, it can be neglected in the vibra-
tion analysis provided that the delamination length to laminate
thickness ratio is greater than five.
7.3 Matrix Cracks. Thornburgh and Chattopadhyay
关143,144兴 studied the vibration of composite laminates with
delaminations and transverse matrix cracks by using finite ele-
ments. The region with delamination was modeled using the
TSDT 关60兴. The matrix cracking was incorporated in the model as
a reduction in the ply stiffness. They showed that the presence of
matrix cracking further decreases the fundamental frequency.
However, the decrease is not significant for small delamination.
7.4 Bridging. Brandinelli and Massabo 关145兴 developed an
analytical model to investigate the effects of bridging mechanisms
between the delaminated interfaces on the vibration of a delami-
nated composite beam. The bridging mechanisms could represent
the action developed by through-thickness reinforcements, such as
stitching or z pinning. These were modeled as uniform distribution
of linear elastic springs that oppose the longitudinal and transver-
sal relative displacements between the delaminated interfaces.
Their study on stitched carbon-epoxy laminate showed that low
percentages of through-thickness reinforcement can improve the
vibration characteristics of delaminated beams.
7.5 Miscellaneous Effects. Parhi et al. 关133兴 investigated the
vibration of composite twisted plate by using a similar model
Applied Mechanics Reviews
presented for plates with multiple delaminations 关56兴, but includes
the presence of twist. They showed that the presence of twist
further reduces the natural frequency.
Parhi et al. 关134兴 extended their earlier analysis 关56兴 for plates
and shells to include temperature and moisture effects. Their study
showed that the increase in moisture content and temperature re-
duces the natural frequencies of the plates. However, reduction of
the natural frequencies of the cylindrical and spherical shells is
less significant.
8 Concluding Remarks
The available analytical models and numerical analyses for the
free vibration of delaminated composite laminates were reviewed.
These models were classified according to the fundamental theory
and assumptions used. In addition, a comparison of the results of
some of the models was presented.
From this review, it was shown that a considerable amount of
research in this area has been undertaken in recent years. These
researches have established a basic understanding of the influence
of the delamination on the natural frequencies and the mode
shapes of the composite laminates. It is felt that the present review
article will provide useful information to the technical community
engaged in the analysis and design of composite structures and to
researchers in the field of vibration-based damage detection.
Acknowledgment
The authors would like to thank the reviewers and Professor
Yoshihiro Narita, Associate Editor of Applied Mechanics Reviews.
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关76兴 Cho, M., and Parmerter, R. R., 1992, “An Efficient Higher-Order Plate Theory
For Laminated Composites,” Compos. Struct., 20, pp. 113–123.
关77兴 Cho, M., and Parmerter, R. R., 1993, “Efficient Higher-Order Plate Theory For
General Laminated Configurations,” AIAA J., 31, pp. 1299–1306.
关78兴 Gadelrab, R. M., 1996, “The Effect of Delamination on the Natural Frequen-
Transactions of the ASME
 cies of a Laminated Composite Beam,” J. Sound Vib., 197, pp. 283–292.
关79兴 Kulkarni, S. V., and Frederick, D., 1971, “Frequency as a Parameter in
Delamination Problem—a Preliminary Investigation,” J. Compos. Mater., 5,
pp. 112–119.
关80兴 Harrison, C., and Butler, R., 2001, “Locating Delaminations in Composite
Beams Using Gradient Techniques and a Genetic Algorithm,” AIAA J., 39,
pp. 1383–1389.
关81兴 Rossettos, J. N., 1998, “Effects of a Delamination and Initial Curvature on the
Fundamental Frequency of Sandwich Beams,” J. Sound Vib., 210, pp. 153–
161.
关82兴 Birman, V., and Simitses, G. J., 2001, “Vibration of Sandwich Panels and
Beams With Matrix Cracks in the Facings,” Compos. Sci. Technol., 61, pp.
1605–1613.
关83兴 Ostachowicz, W., and Krawczuk, M., 1994, “Dynamic Analysis of Delami-
nated Composite Beam,” Mach. Vib., 3, pp. 107–116.
关84兴 Tani, J., Takaga, T., and Qiu, J., 1998, “Intelligent Material Systems: Applica-
tion of Functional Materials,” Appl. Mech. Rev., 51, pp. 505–521.
关85兴 Chee, C. Y. K., Tong, L. T., and Steven, G. P., 1998, “A Review on the
Modeling of Piezoelectric Sensors and Actuators Incorporated in Intelligent
Structures,” J. Intell. Mater. Syst. Struct., 9, pp. 3–19.
关86兴 Reddy, J. N., 1999, “On Laminated Composite Plates With Integrated Sensors
and Actuators,” Eng. Struct., 21, pp. 568–593.
关87兴 Benjeddou, A., 2000, “Advances in Piezoelectric Finite Element Modeling of
Adaptive Structural Elements: A Survey,” Comput. Struct. 21, pp. 347–363.
关88兴 Gopinathan, S. V., Varadan, V. V., and Varadan, V. K., 2000, “A Review and
Critique of Theories for Piezoelectric Laminates,” Smart Mater. Struct., 9, pp.
24–48.
关89兴 Saravanos, D., and Heyliger, P. R., 1999, “Mechanics and Computational
Models For Laminated Piezoelectric Beams, Plates and Shells,” Appl. Mech.
Rev., 52, pp. 305–320.
关90兴 Tan, P., and Tong, L., 2004, “Delamination Detection of Composite Beams
Using Piezoelectric Sensor With Evenly Distributed Electrode Strips,” J. Com-
pos. Mater., 38, pp. 321–352.
关91兴 Tan, P., and Tong, L., 2004, “A Delamination Detection Model For Composite
Beams Using PFRC Sensor/Actuator,” Composites, Part A, 35, pp. 231–247.
关92兴 Islam, A. S., and Craig, K. C., 1994, “Damage Detection in Composite Struc-
tures Using Piezoelectric Materials,” Smart Mater. Struct., 3, pp. 318–328.
关93兴 Ray, M. C., and Reddy, J. N., 2004, “Effect of Delamination on Active Con-
strained Layer Damping of Smart Composite Beams,” AIAA J., 42, pp. 1219–
1226.
关94兴 Chattopadhyay, A., Dragomir-Daescu, D., and Gu, H., 1999, “Dynamics of
Delaminated Smart Composite Cross-Ply Beams,” Smart Mater. Struct., 8, pp.
92–99.
关95兴 Chattopadhyay, A., Gu, H., and Dragomir-Daescu, D., 1999, “Dynamics of
Delaminated Composite Plates With Piezoelectric Actuators,” AIAA J., 37,
pp. 248–254.
关96兴 Nam, C., Chattopadhyay, A., and Kim, Y., 2000, “Aeroelastic Control of
Smart Composite Plate With Delaminations,” J. Intell. Mater. Syst. Struct., 11,
pp. 868–876.
关97兴 Chattopadhyay, A., Nam, C., and Kim, Y., 2000, “Damage Detection and
Vibration Control of a Delaminated Smart Composite Plate,” Adv. Compos.
Lett., 9, pp. 7–15.
关98兴 Saravanos, D. A., Birman, V., and Hopkins, D. A., 1994, “Detection of
Delaminations in Composite Beams Using Piezoelectric Sensors,” NASA
Technical Memorandum 106611.
关99兴 Keilers, C. H., and Chang, F. K., 1995, “Identifying Delamination in Compos-
ite Beams Using Built-in Piezoelectrics: Part I—Experiments and Analysis,” J.
Intell. Mater. Syst. Struct., 6, pp. 649–663.
关100兴 Keilers, C. H., and Chang, F. K., 1995, “Identifying Delamination in Com-
posite Beams Using Built-in Piezoelectrics: Part II—An Identification
Method,” J. Intell. Mater. Syst. Struct., 6, pp. 664–672.
关101兴 Keilers, C. H., 1997, “Identifying Composite Plate Delaminations Using
Built-in Sensors and Actuators,” Proceedings of the 38th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/
AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, Kiss-
immee, FL, 7–10 April, pp. 1707–1716.
关102兴 Thornburg, R. P., and Chattopadhyay, A., 2002, “Modeling the Dynamic
Effects of Delamination in Adaptive Composite Laminate,” Proceedings of
the 43rd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and
Materials Conference, Denver, CO, 22–25 April, pp. 1944–1954.
关103兴 Perel, V. Y., and Palazotto, A. N., 2002, “Finite Element Formulation For
Dynamics of Delaminated Composite Beams With Piezoelectric Actuators,”
Int. J. Solids Struct., 39, pp. 4457–4483.
关104兴 Goshal, A., Kim, H. S., and Chattopadhyay, A., 2003, “Effect of Delamina-
tion on Transient History of Smart Composite Plates,” Proceedings of the
44th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Ma-
terials Conference, Norfolk, VA, 7–10 April, pp. 1523–1532.
关105兴 Chattopadhyay, A., Kim, H. S., and Goshal, A., 2004, “Non-Linear Vibration
Analysis of Smart Composite Structures With Discrete Delamination Using a
Refined Layerwise Theory,” J. Sound Vib., 273, pp. 387–487.
关106兴 Tylikowski, A., 2001, “Effect of Piezoactuator Delamination on the Transfer
Functions of Vibration Control Systems,” Int. J. Solids Struct., 38, pp. 2189–
2202.
关107兴 Tong, L., Sun, D., and Atluri, S. N., 2001, “Sensing and Actuating Behav-
iours of Piezoelectric Layers With Debonding in Smart Beams,” Smart
Mater. Struct., 10, pp. 713–723.
关108兴 Sun, D., Tong, L., and Atluri, S. N., 2001, “Effect of Piezoelectric Sensor/
Actuator Debonding on Vibration Control of Smart Beams,” Int. J. Solids
Applied Mechanics Reviews
Struct., 38, pp. 9033–9051.
关109兴 Luo, Q., and Tong, L., 2004, “An Accurate Laminated Element For Piezo-
electric Smart Beams Including Peel Stress,” Comput. Mech., 33, pp. 108–
120.
关110兴 Seeley, C. E., and Chattopadhyay, A., 1996, “Modeling Delaminations in
Smart Composite Laminates,” Proceedings of the 37th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/
AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, Salt
Lake City, UT, 18–19 April, pp. 109–119.
关111兴 Seeley, C. E., and Chattopadhyay, A., 1997, “Modeling of Smart Composite
Laminates Including Debonding: A Finite Element Approach,” Proceedings
of the 38th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics
and Materials Conference, Kissimmee, FL, 7–10 April, pp. 1692–1706.
关112兴 Seeley, C. E., and Chattopadhyay, A., 1999, “Modeling of Adaptive Com-
posites Including Debonding,” Int. J. Solids Struct., 36, pp. 1823–1843.
关113兴 Seeley, C. E., and Chattopadhyay, A., 1998, “Experimental Investigation Of
Composite Beams With Piezoelectric Actuation and Debonding,” Smart
Mater. Struct., 7, pp. 502–511.
关114兴 Chen, H.-P., 1994, “Free Vibration of Prebuckled and Postbuckled Plates
With Delamination,” Compos. Sci. Technol., 51, pp. 451–462.
关115兴 Chen, H.-P., Tracy, J. J., and Nonato, R., 1993, “Natural Frequencies of
Delaminated Composite Laminates Under Compressive Loads,” Proceedings
of the 34th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics
and Materials Conference, La Jolla, CA, 19–21 April, pp. 1493–1505.
关116兴 Chen, H.-P., Tracy, J. J., and Nonato, R., 1995, “Vibration Analysis of
Delaminated Composite Laminates in Prebuckled States Based on a New
Constrained Model,” J. Compos. Mater., 29, 229–256.
关117兴 Yin, W.-L., and Jane, K. C., 1992, “Vibration of a Delaminated Beam-Plate
Relative to Buckled States,” J. Sound Vib., 156, pp. 125–140.
关118兴 Jane, K. C., and Chen, C. C., 1998, “Postbuckling Deformation and Vibration
of a Delaminated Beam-Plate With Arbitrary Delamination Location,” Mech.
Res. Commun., 25, pp. 337–351.
关119兴 Chang, T.-P., and Liang, J.-Y., 1998, “Vibration of Postbuckled Delaminated
Beam Plates,” Int. J. Solids Struct., 35, pp. 1199–1217.
关120兴 Chen, H.-P., and Goggin, P. J., 1994, “Vibration of a Delaminated Beam-
Plate Relative to Post-Buckling States With Shear Deformation Theory,” J.
Sound Vib., 176, pp. 163–178.
关121兴 Lu, X., and Hanagud, S., 1999, “Health Monitoring of Structures: Multiple
Delamination Dynamics in Composite Beams With Axial Loads,” Proceed-
ings of the 40th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynam-
ics and Materials Conference. St. Louis, MO, 12–15 April, pp. 2348–2357.
关122兴 Lee, S., Park, T., and Voyiadjis, G. Z., 2002, “Free Vibration Analysis of
Axially Compressed Laminated Composite Beam-Columns With Multiple
Delaminations,” Composites, Part B, 33, pp. 605–617.
关123兴 Jane, K. C., and Harn, Y. C., 2000, “Vibration of Delaminated Beam-Plates
With Multiple Delaminations Under Axial Forces,” Mech. Struct. Mach., 28,
pp. 49–64.
关124兴 Chang, T. P., Hu, C. Y., and Jane, K. C., 1998, “Vibration of Delaminated
Composite Plates Under Axial Load,” Mech. Struct. Mach., 26, pp. 195–218.
关125兴 Jian, X. H., Tzou, H. S., Lissenden, C. J., and Penn, L. S., 1997, “Damage
Detection by Piezoelectric Patches in a Free Vibration Method,” J. Compos.
Mater., 31, pp. 345–359.
关126兴 Paolozzi, A., and Peroni, I., 1996, “Experimental Assessment of Debonding
Damage in a Carbon-Fibre Reinforced Plastic Sandwich Panel by Frequency
Variations,” Compos. Struct., 35, pp. 435–444.
关127兴 Valdez, S., H. D., and Soutis, C., 1999, “Delamination Detection in Compos-
ite Laminates From Variations of Their Modal Characteristics,” J. Sound
Vib., 228, pp. 1–9.
关128兴 Kessler, S. S., Spearing, S. M., Atalla, M. J., and Cesnik, E. S., 2002, “Dam-
age Detection in Composite Materials Using Frequency Response Methods,”
Composites, Part B, 33, pp. 87–95.
关129兴 Penn, L. S., Jump, J. R., and Greenfield, M. J., 1999, “Use of the Free
Vibration Spectrum to Detect Delamination in Thick Composites,” J. Com-
pos. Mater., 33, pp. 54–72.
关130兴 Hou, J. P., and Jeronimidis, G., 1999, “Vibration of Delaminated Thin Com-
posite Plates,” Composites, Part A, 30, pp. 989–995.
关131兴 Hou, J. P., and Jeronimidis, G., 2000, “Bending Stiffness of Composite Plates
With Delamination,” Composites, Part A, 31, pp. 121–132.
关132兴 Luo, H., and Hanagud, S., 1995, “Delamination Detection Using Dynamic
Characteristics of Composite Plates,” Proceedings of the 36th AIAA/ASME/
ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference,
New Orleans, LA, 10–13 April, pp. 129–139.
关133兴 Luo, H., and Hanagud, S., 1996, “Delamination Modes in Composite Plates,”
J. Aerosp. Eng., 9, pp. 106–113.
关134兴 Luo, H., and Hanagud, S., 1997, “PVDF Sensor and its Applications in
Delamination Response Detection,” Proceedings of the 38th AIAA/ASME/
ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference,
Kissimmee, FL, 7–10 April, pp. 720–728.
关135兴 Lestari, W., Lu, X., and Hanagud, S., 2000, “Dynamics of a Delaminated
Beam: Effects of Nonlinearity,” Proceedings of the 41st AIAA/ASME/ASCE/
AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, At-
lanta, GA, 3–6 April, AIAA-2000–1505.
关136兴 Lu, X., Lestari, W., and Hanagud, S., 2001, “Nonlinear Vibrations of a
Delaminated Beam,” J. Vib. Control, 7, pp. 803–831.
关137兴 Chattopadhyay, A., Nam, C., and Dragomir-Daescu, D., 1999, “Delamination
Modeling and Detection in Smart Composite Plates,” J. Reinf. Plast. Com-
pos., 18, pp. 1557–1572.
关138兴 Ling, H. Y., Lau, K. T., and Cheng, L., 2004, “Determination of Dynamic
JANUARY 2007, Vol. 60 / 19
 Strain Profile and Delamination of Composite Structures Using Embedded
Multiplexed Fibre-Optic Sensors,” Compos. Struct., 66, pp. 317–326.
关139兴 Ju, F., Lee, H. P., and Lee, K. H., 1995, “Free Vibration of Composite Plates
With Delaminations Around Cutouts,” Compos. Struct., 31, pp. 177–183.
关140兴 Kumar, A., and Shrivastava, R. P., 2005, “Free Vibration of Square Lami-
nates With Delamination Around a Central Cutout Using HSDT,” Compos.
Struct., 70, pp. 317–333.
关141兴 Parhi, P. K., Bhattacharyya, S. K., and Sinha, P. K., 1999, “Dynamic Analysis
of Multiple Delaminated Composite Twisted Plates,” Aircr. Eng., 71, pp.
451–461.
关142兴 Parhi, P. K., Bhattacharyya, S. K., and Sinha, P. K., 2001, “Hygrothermal
Effects on the Dynamic Behavior of Multiple Delaminated Composite Plates
and Shells,” J. Sound Vib., 248, pp. 195–214.
关143兴 Thornburg, R., and Chattopadhyay, A., 2001, “Unified Approach to Modeling
Matrix Cracking and Delamination in Laminated Composite Structures,”
AIAA J., 39, pp. 153–160.
关144兴 Thornburg, R. P., and Chattopadhyay, A., 2003, “Combined Delamination
and Matrix Cracking in Adaptive Composite Laminates,” Proceedings of the
44th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Ma-
terials Conference, Norfolk, VA, 7–10 April, pp. 3395–3405.
关145兴 Brandinelli, L., and Massabo, R., 2003, “Free Vibration of Delaminated
Beam-Type Structures With Crack Bridging,” Compos. Struct., 61, pp. 129–
142.

Christian N. Della is presently a research fellow in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He obtained his BSc Mechanical Engineering in Saint Louis
University, Philippines, MSc Mechanical Engineering in the University of the Philippines-Diliman, and
PhD in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, NTU. His present research interests include
delamination buckling and vibration, smart materials and structures, and structural health monitoring.
Prior to entering the PhD program, he was an instructor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at
Saint Louis University, Philippines.

DongWei Shu is presently an associate professor in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He graduated from the Mechanics Department of Beijing
University with BSc and MSc in 1984 and 1986. He then moved to Cambridge University of UK and
obtained his PhD in Dynamic Plasticity in 1990. He followed that with one year research in BioMechanics
for Spina Bifida under a Research Fellowship in the Civil Engineering Department of the University of
Waterloo, Canada, and another one year on the delamination of composites materials in the University of
Sydney. He started his academic career with lectureship in the Materials Engineering Department of
Monash University of Melbourne. From 1993 on, he has been lecturing in the Nanyang Technological
University of Singapore. His present research interests include FEM simulation of the drop test of Seagate
micro hard disk drives, multiple delaminations in laminate composites, and strain rate effect by Split
Hopkinson Bar.

20 / Vol. 60, JANUARY 2007 Transactions of the ASME