Optimal design of symmetric laminated plates for fundamental frequency

The optimal laminate configurations of symmetric laminated plates for maximizing fundamental frequencies are examined. The coupling between bending and twisting is taken into consideration in the free vibration analysis of symmetric laminated plates. With the use of lamination parameters, the effect of bending-twisting coupling on the fundamental frequencies is discussed for the cases of simply supported or clamped edges. The optimal laminate configuration to maximize the fundamental frequencies is also obtained by using a mathematical programming method in which four lamination parameters are used as design variables. The relation between the laminate configurations and the fundamental frequencies is discussed on the basis of the concept of lamination parameters.