PROPAGATION MODELING OF PERIODIC LAMINATED COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

A new model based on filament-current and thin-current assumptions is proposed to analyze the propagation problem associated with the lossy periodic multilayer structure of conducting fibers situated in a diele ctric matrix. To discuss the combined effect of fibers and dielectric matrix, reflection and transmission matrices at the air-matrix, and gr ating interfaces together with suitable phase correction are incorpora ted in the model in which the fiber grating is regarded as a thin Floq uet layer. To reduce the central processing unit (CPU) time, an extend ed filament-current model for the same multilayer structure is also ex amined. In this study, numerical results for the graphite/epoxy (G/E) fiber-reinforced planar laminated composite materials are presented an d discussed. In particular, the parameters that influence their shield ing and reflection characteristics are investigated in detail. The new model is useful in characterizing the G/E fiber-reinforced laminated composites even up to the higher frequency of 100 GHz.