Free Vibration Analysis of Variable Stiffness Composite Laminates with Flat and Folded Shapes

In this article, free vibration analysis of variable stiffness composite laminate (VSCL) plates with flat and folded shapes is studied. In order to consider the concept of variable stiffness, in each layer of these composite laminated plates, the curvilinear fibers are used instead of straight fibers. The analysis is based on a semi-analytical finite strip method which follows classical laminated plate theory (CLPT). Natural frequencies obtained through this analysis for the flat plates are in good agreement with the results obtained through other methods. Finally, the effect of the fiber orientation angle, the folding order, crank angles and boundary conditions on the Natural frequencies is demonstrated.