Influence of stacking geometry on sound transmission through laminated composite plates

On the basis of plate finite element based on Mindlin first order shear effect plate theory and boundary element based on Rayleigh integral on the plate surface, the computational model of sound transmission in the lowfrequency range through laminated composite plates excited by a harmonic oblique incident plane wave and mounted on an infinite baffle is presented. The model takes the fluid-structure coupling into account. The influence of different stacking sequences such as symmetric angle-ply, anti-symmetric angle-ply and cross-ply upon the sound transmission loss of the laminated composite plates is evaluated with the proposed model. The characteristics of the sound transmission loss through the laminated composite plates in air and in water are discussed. The results indicate that the laminate stacking geometry may have a significant influence on the transmission loss valuel for laminated composite plates and the designer must be careful when deciding on the laminate stacking geometry.