Vibration of composite cylindrical shallow shells subjected to hygrothermal loading-experimental and numerical results

Hygrothermal effects on free vibration of woven fiber glass/epoxy laminated composite cylindrical shallow shells are investigated both numerically and experimentally. In the present finite element analysis a composite doubly curved shell model based on first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is used for free vibration of cylindrical shell panels in hygrothermal environment. B&K FFT analyzer is used to determine the natural frequencies of vibration experimentally by conducting non-destructive testing. The effects of curvature ratios, lamination sequences and boundary conditions on natural frequencies of vibration under hygrothermal loading are investigated. The frequency of vibration decreases with increase of temperature and moisture.