Developed reverberation-ray matrix analysis on transient responses of laminated composite frame based on the first-order shear deformation theory

This paper reports a developed reverberation-ray matrix (DRRM) method to predict the transient response for laminated composite frame subjected to pulse force based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT). The reverberation-ray matrix and scattering matrix, representing the multi-reflected and multi-scattered waves in the laminated members and at the joints, are derived by DRRM method. The quality of the proposed method is verified by numerical experiments of both laminated composite frame and aluminum-made frame. By using this method, the transient velocity responses of a 17-bar laminated composite frame are investigated. Simulation results are consistent with the corresponding finite element analysis (FEA). Compared with FEA, DRRM only needs a few computational elements and hence possesses rapid convergence but with the same precision. This approach could be especially valuable for complicated laminated composite frame where the FEA is time-consuming or impractical to obtain.