Free Vibration of Three-Dimensional Laminated Composite Structures with Different Embedded Delamination Sizes and Locations

This study investigates free vibration characteristics of laminated composite structures with different embedded delamination sizes and locations using the solid element. The three-dimensional finite element (FE) delamination model described in this paper, in comparison with the conventional approaches, is more attractive not only because it shows better accuracy but also it shows the entire mode shape. The FE model using ABAQUS is used for studying free vibrations of laminates containing an various embedded delamination. The numerical results obtained are in good agreement with those reported by other investigators. In particular, new results reported in this paper are focused on the significant effects of the local vibration mode for various parameters, such as size of delamination, aspect ratio, and location of delamination.