Study of the effect of in-plane and interlaminar stresses on damping in fluid-filled laminated composite cylinders

The modal strain energy method is used in conjunction with a three-dimensio nal finite element analysis in the characterization of the effects of in-pl ane and interlaminar stresses in fluid-filled composite laminate cylindrica l shells. A semi-analytical, 8-noded isoparametric finite element, which in cludes both the symmetric and antisymmetric modes in the circumferential di rection, is used in the analysis. The effects of fiber angle, contained flu id height, size parameter of the shell, and stacking sequence on the contri bution of in-plane and interlaminar stresses to the overall system damping in fluid-filled, composite laminate cylindrical shells are studied. (C) 199 9 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.