Higher-order models for the passive damping analysis of variable-angle-tow composite plates

In this paper, the damped free-vibration and frequency response analysis of variable-angle-tow composite plates embedding viscoelastic layers with frequency-dependent properties are performed. The governing equations are derived from the Principle of Virtual Displacements and higher-order Layer-Wise models are used for the unknown variables description in the thickness direction, furthermore a nine-node finite plate element is employed to solve them. The plate formulation presented in this paper is more efficient with respect to three-dimensional approaches, typically used for this kind of structures, and it is more accu-rate than existing reduced order methods thanks to the use of the mixed interpolation of tensorial compo-nents technique, employed to solve the problem of the shear and membrane locking phenomena. Different multilayered structures have been considered, laminated with unidirectional cross-ply layers or with curvi-linear fibers path ones. The use of viscoelastic soft sheets permits to have a passive damping of the structural vibration. The frequency dependent properties of the viscoelastic materials are described through the use of a Kelvin-Voigt model. Numerical solutions are presented for the analysis of variable-angle-tow composites with different boundary-conditions and various lamination schemes. (c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.