Vibration Properties of Structural FRP Composites

Abstract

Being considerably stiffer, lighter and more damped than metals, fibre reinforced plastic composites are increasingly replacing metal alloys used traditionally in weight sensitive structural applications. However, the hybrid nature of FRP composites has a far more significant bearing on vibration properties of structures made from these materials than metals. Presented here is a review of some fundamental aspects of vibration damping in general, and of vibration properties of structural FRP composites in particular. Both experimental and analytical aspects of studying these properties are considered. This, it is hoped, will provide a reasonably broad appreciation of vibration characteristics of structural FRP composites, and of the work done to study these characteristics.