Prediction of Modal Damping of FRP-Honeycomb Sandwich Panels with Arbitrary Geometries

In this work, the modal characteristics, including modal damping, of FRP composite skin, honeycomb core sandwich panels with arbitrary geometries are computed using a mixed finite element-meshless method. By using the meshless node distribution scheme in conjunction with the lagrangian quadrilateral interpolating functions, the continuity of inter-elemental displacements is assured. Since the distribution of the elements is not limited to the geometry of the problem, any arbitrary geometry can be readily analysed by using the same node and element distributions. Using the first order shear deformation plate theory, together with a structural damping model, modal response results are produced for a number of sandwich panel geometries, including triangular, trapezoidal, circular as well as rectangular plates with different combinations of free and clamped edges. Results are compared with those reported in the literature, showing the viability and the accuracy of the method.