Damping and Vibration Control of Unidirectional Composite Laminates Using Add-on Viscoelastic Materials

This paper describes the development of an efficient finite element model for dynamic analysis of laminated beams treated by a constrained viscoelastic layer. The finite element model is designed so as to represent the viscoelastic core shear accurately. An offset-beam element which takes shear deformation into account and is specially suited for modeling such laminated beams is developed. The laminated beam and constraining layer are modeled by using the offset beam element. The viscoelastic core is modeled by using plane finite elements which are compatible with the beam elements. System damping and tip displacement are computed and compared with those measured experimentally by using the impulse-frequency response technique. Results show that dynamic response is improved by use of such damping treatments.