Passive flutter suppression of damaged smart laminated composite plate using active fiber composite layer

This research addresses the effect of damage on flutter characteristics of laminated composite plate and passive control of flutter with active fiber composite (AFC) layer bonded over the substrate. A finite element model coupled with MSC.Nastran is developed to calculate the flutter characteristics of smart laminated composite plate. The damage characterized based on anisotropic damage formulation is incorporated through the finite element model. The effect of orientation and location of damage on flutter characteristics of laminated plate is studied. Further AFC layer with interdigitated electrode, which is more adaptive and efficient than conventional monolithic piezoelectric, is considered over the top of substrate layer to act as actuator. The enhancement of the flutter characteristics lost due to damage, is investigated by activating AFC layer with applied voltage. The AFC layer is observed to have great potential to regain the flutter strength of composite plate. Communicated by Chandrika Prakash Vyasarayani.