Hybrid active-passive control of multiphase composite shells through high-order Chebyshev frequency response modeling

Abstract

This paper presents a high-efficiency approach for controlled frequency response analysis of laminated multi-phase composite shells, employing high-order Chebyshev finite elements. A key feature of the composite material used in this study is its three-phase composition, consisting of a polymer matrix, carbon fiber, and carbon nanotube nanofillers embedded within the matrix phase. The inclusion of carbon nanotube nanofillers significantly enhances the mechanical and dynamic properties of the overall material. The proposed approach addresses shear/membrane locking and the computational expense of discrete layerwise models, ensuring both efficiency and precision in analyzing complex composite shells. By using high-order shape functions derived from Chebyshev polynomials, this approach achieves rapid convergence without sacrificing accuracy. The developed numerical model captures the frequency response of laminated shells across varying geometric configurations, while incorporating the effects of two-layer control patches that introduce active or passive damping. Additionally, the model accounts for the layerwise effect of the composite, allowing for accurate prediction of structural behavior under excited loads. Numerical validation confirms the robustness and versatility of the high-order Chebyshev finite elements, effectively overcoming common computational challenges such as locking and spurious modes, while providing highly accurate and reliable frequency response predictions for practical engineering applications. This study highlights the potential of using advanced numerical techniques in combination with innovative composite materials for improved dynamic performance in aerospace, automotive, and civil engineering applications.