Dynamic Analysis of Laminated Composite One-fold Plates under Thermal Load

In this research, free vibration analysis of epoxy-based laminated composite folded plate structures for thermal loads have been considered using finite element method. Eight noded isoparametric element with five degrees of freedom per node have been considered in the study. Folded plate formulation using 6 X 6 transformation matrix is applied to transform the element mass and stiffness matrices to global system matrices. Yang-Norris-Stavsky (YNS) theory along with rotary inertia have been used in the present formulation. Lamina material properties at elevated temperature have been used in the study. Parametric studies have been performed for laminated composite one-fold plate structure for various thicknesses, crank angle and fibre angle under different temperatures. Results reveal that rising thermal load reduces the stiffness of the structure considerably. As the presence of fold increases stiffness of the plate structures significantly, it can withstand increased temperature. Proper choice of fibre angle and thickness increases the stiffness of the structures thus making it more capable of resisting higher thermal load.