Experimental and numerical investigation of the vibro-acoustic behavior of fiber metal laminate

This paper discusses in detail the vibration and acoustic characteristics of the glass laminate aluminum-reinforced epoxy (GLARE) hybrid panel with glass fiber-reinforced composite (GFRC) and aluminum. Elastic properties of the plate are obtained using experimental and micromechanics approaches. Reddy's higher-order shear deformation theory is used to analyze the vibro-acoustic characteristics of the GLARE panels. The free vibration characteristics of the GLARE-5 panel were determined using experimental modal analysis and finite element analysis (FEA). Four-noded non-confirming iso-parametric finite element with 8 degree-of-freedom is used to discretize the GLARE panels in FEA. Modal assurance criterion (MAC) is implemented to correlate the results between experimental and simulated approaches. The structural vibration behavior of GLARE panels is obtained using modal superposition approach. Radiated sound power level, sound transmission loss and sound directivity pattern of GLARE panel were examined numerically for material percentage variations, boundary conditions, aspect ratio, thickness aspect ratio and different GLARE grade configurations. The co-relation between experimental and numerical natural frequencies is good. The MAC results indicate close correlation between experimental and FEA. The results suggest that the radiation efficiency of thin GLARE panel did not vary much for all aspect ratios except all side clamped (CCCC) panel with aspect ratio (a/b) 2. Results indicate that any GLARE grades might be suggested to choose any GLARE grades, thickness and aspect ratios for enhanced transmission loss except GLARE-4 and GLARE-5. In addition, the combination of low percentage of GFRC with aluminum enhances better vibration and acoustic characteristics. The material percentage and GLARE grade variations studies might be useful to design the hybrid metal fiber laminates for enhanced vibro-acoustic characteristics.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the vibration and acoustic characteristics of the GLARE hybrid panel, and examines the impact of material percentage, boundary conditions, aspect ratio, thickness, and different GLARE grade configurations on these characteristics.