Maximization of fundamental frequencies of axially compressed laminated truncated conical shells against fiber orientation

•Free vibration analyses of laminated truncated conical shells subjected to axial compressive forces are carried out by employing the Abaqus finite element program.•The fundamental frequencies of the truncated conical shells are maximized with respect to fiber orientations by using the golden section method.•Through parametric studies, the influences of the end condition, shell length, shell radius ratio and the compressive force on the maximum fundamental frequencies, the associated optimal fiber orientations and the associated vibration modes are demonstrated and discussed.

Free vibration analyses of laminated truncated conical shells subjected to axial compressive forces are carried out by employing the Abaqus finite element program. The fundamental frequencies of these truncated conical shells with a given material system are then maximized with respect to fiber orientations by using the golden section method. Through parametric studies, the influences of the end condition, shell length, shell radius ratio and the compressive force on the maximum fundamental frequencies, the associated optimal fiber orientations and the associated vibration modes are demonstrated and discussed.