Nonlinear vibration and dynamic response of three-dimensional braided composite plates

This paper studies the nonlinear vibration and dynamic response of three-dimensional braided composite plates produced by the four-step procedure. It is assumed that the yarn is transversely isotropic and the matrix is isotropic. A fiber inclination model is applied to predict the effective stiffness matrix of the braided composite plate. Theoretical formulations are based on Reddy's higher-order shear deformation plate theory and von Karman-type nonlinear kinematics. Asymptotic solutions are obtained for simply supported rectangular plates by using an improved perturbation approach and Galerkin technique. Numerical illustrations are given in both tabular and graphical forms, showing the effects of the fiber volume fraction, the braiding angle, and the inclination angle on the linear and nonlinear vibration frequencies and the dynamic response of braided composite plates.