A first-order shear deformation plate theory is used to predict free vibration frequencies in rotating laminated composite plates. The theory accounts for geometric non-linearity in the form of von Karman strains. The plate is permitted to have arbitrary orientation and offset from the axis of rotation. A finite element model is developed to obtain a solution to the problem. The model is validated by comparing the results for free vibration of non-rotating plates for various boundary conditions and material properties with the exact results based on the classical plate theory and the first-order shear deformable plate theory. Results are presented for free vibration of isotropic and laminated composite plates rotating at different angular velocities. A study has also been made on the change in the free vibration frequencies of the plate with angular velocity for different plate thicknesses and for different modulus ratios.

Master of Science