Damping analysis of laminated beams and plates using the Ritz method

The paper presents an analysis of the damping of unidirectional fibre composites and different laminates. Damping characteristics of laminates are analysed experimentally using cantilever beam test specimens and an impulse technique. Damping modelling of unidirectional composites and laminates is developed using the Ritz method for describing the flexural vibrations of beams or plates. The influence of the beam width as well as the influence of the vibration frequency are considered. Next, the paper presents an evaluation of the damping of laminate plates with two different boundary conditions.