Free vibration analysis of damaged composite beams

In this study, free vibration analyses of symmetric laminated cantilever and simply supported damaged composite beams are investigated by using finite element method (FEM). Free vibration responses of damaged beams are examined using Euler Bernoulli beam and classical lamination theories. A computer code is developed by using MATLAB software to determine the natural frequencies of a damaged beam. The local damage zone is assumed to be on the surface lamina of the beam by broken fibers after impact. The damaged zone is modeled as a unidirectional discontinuous lamina with 0o orientations in this study. Fiber volume fraction (vf), fiber aspect ratio (Lf/df), damage length (LD) and its location (y/L), fiber orientation and stacking sequence parameters effects on natural frequencies are investigated. These parameters are affected the natural frequency values significantly.