Dynamics of Composite Structures With Multiple Delaminations

The objective of this paper is to explore if changes in the structural dynamic response and structural dynamic characteristics can be used to identify the existence, location and magnitude of defects like a delamination or an impact damage, at the macroscale level, before they can grow to their critical sizes. Specifically dynamic response of composite structures, with delamination defects, is discussed in this paper. The experimental analysis is performed to capture the effects of nonlinearities on the dynamic response of a beam with multiple delaminations. To describe the opening and closing mode of the delaminated segments of the beam during the vibration, an analysis is performed by using a model with piecewise spring. Then, the nonlinear dynamic response is calculated.