The Effect of Stacking Sequence on the Vibration of Symmetric Laminated Composite Plates

Cal A. Y., Saracoglu M. H., ALBAYRAK U.

JOURNAL OF POLYTECHNIC-POLITEKNIK DERGISI, cilt.29, sa.5, 2026 (ESCI)

Özet

The free vibration characteristics of orthotropic and symmetrically laminated composite plates are investigated through numerical parametric study. Square glass/epoxy laminated plates with simply supported boundary conditions are analyzed using the finite element method in ANSYS MAPDL, with the analysis process fully automated via a Python-based interface. A total of 148 laminate configurations considered by varying the number of three to ten layers and employing symmetric stacking sequences with fiber orientations of 0 degrees, +/- 30 degrees, +/- 45 degrees, +/- 60 degrees, and 90 degrees. The first four natural frequencies are evaluated to examine the effects of fiber orientation, stacking sequence, and layer number. The results show that orthotropic laminates with uniform 0 degrees orientation exhibit layer-number-independent frequencies, whereas symmetrically laminated plates are highly sensitive to stacking sequence and fiber orientation, especially in lower modes. Cross-ply laminates generally yield higher frequencies than angle-ply laminates in higher modes due to increased bending stiffness. The findings provide practical insights into the vibration-oriented design of laminated composite plates.