Dynamic stability analysis of composite plates including delaminations using a higher order theory and transformation matrix approach

A refined higher order shear deformation theory is used to investigate the dynamic instability associated with composite plates with delamination that are subject to dynamic compressive loads. Both transverse shear and rotary inertia effects are taken into account. The theory is capable of modeling the independent displacement field above and below the delamination. All stress free boundary conditions at free surfaces as well as delamination interfaces are satisfied by this theory. The procedure is implemented using the finite element method. Delamination is modeled through the multi-point constraint approach using the transformation matrix technique. For validation purposes, the natural frequencies and the critical buckling loads are computed and compared with three-dimensional NASTRAN results and available experimental data. The effect of delamination on the critical buckling load and the first two instability regions is investigated for various loading conditions and plate thickness. As expected, the natural frequencies and the critical buckling load of the plates with delaminations decrease with increase in delamination length. Increase in delamination length also causes instability regions to be shifted to lower parametric resonance frequencies. The effect of edge delamination on the static and dynamic stability as well as of delamination growth is investigated.