Parametric dynamic analysis of the natural characteristics of carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminates using the state-space method

This study investigates the natural characteristics of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates by considering the effects of stacking sequence, layer thickness sequence (LTS), and material anisotropy on the constitutive relationship. A simply supported laminate model is established using the state-space method. The analytical solution is derived through the transfer matrix method. The proposed model has been validated against literature data and has been further verified by finite element analysis and vibration experiments. The main innovations and contributions of this study are as follows. First, the coupled effects of LTSs and stacking sequences on natural frequencies, mode shapes, elastic displacement fields, and interlaminar stress distributions are systematically revealed. Second, an analytical-simulation-experimental validation framework has been established to improve the reliability of the proposed method. Third, the state-space method has been extended to laminates with different layer material combinations to evaluate the influence of material distribution on natural characteristics. Interlaminar modal order variations are interpreted using the ABD stiffness matrix. The results show that the natural characteristics of CFRP laminates can be effectively regulated by adjusting LTSs, stacking sequences, and material distributions. This study provides a useful reference for vibration reduction and structural design of CFRP laminates.