Free vibration analysis of cantilevered laminated trapezoidal plates

A numerical approach for analyzing the free vibration problem of a laminate d FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) composite plate has already been proposed by the authors. In the present study, this approach is applied to a cantile vered laminated trapezoidal plate. First, the natural frequencies of the pl ate are calculated for discussion of the convergence and accuracy of the so lution. Next, the effects of the plate configuration and stacking sequence on the natural frequency of the plate are studied. Furthermore, the natural frequency and mode shape of the plate are obtained experimentally. These e xperimental results are found to agree well with the numerical results comp uted using the measured material properties of the lamina.