Effects of cutouts on natural frequency of laminated composite plates

In this study, the effects of cutouts (circular, square, triangular and elliptical), cutout position and fiber orientations of laminated composite plates on natural frequencies are investigated. In order to study the effects of cutouts on natural frequencies of the composite plates, experiments have been carried out. Finite element analysis is also performed to predict the effects of different cutouts, cutout position, fiber orientation and length of the plate on natural frequencies for E-glass/polyester. Several outcomes and behavioral characteristics are discussed. These outcomes include the cutout shape, cutout orientation and fiber orientation angle. It has been seen that all of the experimental and finite element results are very close to each other. It has also been concluded that the natural frequency of composite plate is affected by the fiber orientation and cutout location but not considerably affected by cutout shape. The results show that fiber orientation angle and cutout location are the most important parameters on the natural frequency. When the fiber orientation angle increases, both bending and twisting natural frequencies decrease. Maximum natural frequency occurs on [(0/90)(4)](S) laminated plate.