Finite Element

Modelling of
Rectangular Plate
Lets Get Started

Introduction to composite
A laminate is a material which can be constructed by uniting two or more
layers of material together that is by stacking together several laminas.
Composite structures typically consist of laminates stacked from layers
with different fiber orientation angles.
The layer thickness is normally fixed, and fiber orientation angles are
often limited to a discrete set such as 0, 30, 45, 75, and 90
A unidirectional laminate is a laminate in which all fibers are oriented in
the same direction.
Cross-ply laminate is a laminate in which the layers of unidirectional
lamina are oriented at right angles to each other and quasi-isotropic
laminate behaves similarly to an isotropic material; that is, the elastic
properties are same in all direction.

Aim
The aim of this project is to perform a modal analysis to
determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes of
Aluminum Plate and composite plate using Finite Element
Analysis (FEA) and then compare the results.

Methodology
This project performs modal analysis on Clamped plates for
Aluminum 1060 alloy and E glass fiber.
Solid Works is used in finite element modelling for isentropic
Aluminum Plate.
Ansys is used in case of finite element modelling of Composite
plate.
To simulate the Clamped or fixed boundary conditions, specified
displacements were placed on the all four side faces.

Properties of Al 1060 alloy plate

Mass
4.725 kg
Density
2700 kg/m^3
Length
0.50 m
Width
0.35 m
Thickness 0.01m
Yield Strength
2.75e+007 N/m^2
Tensile Strength
6.89e+007 N/m^2
Elastic Modulus
6.9e+010 N/m^2
Poissons ratio
0.33
Shear Modulus
2.7e+010 N/m^2

Model of Al plate
Boundary Conditions
All 4 side Faces are Clamped or fixed.
Model type
Linear Elastic Isotropic
Load Conditions
Applied Load in z direction 500 N

Mesh Information
Mesh Type

Solid Mesh

Mesher Used

Curvature based

Total Nodes

23839

Total Element

13926

Jacobian points
mesh)

4 points (Rectangular

Total Deformation

Von Mises Stress

Modal Analysis
The modal analysis is performed by using Solid Works for
Al plate and ANSYS for Composite plate.
For each case, five frequencies and five mode shapes are
computed. The mode shapes are plotted for each frequency
over the geometry.

1st Mode Shape (553.83 Hz)

2nd Mode Shape (882.18 Hz)

3rd Mode Shape (1325.9 Hz)

4th Mode Shape (1427.5 Hz)

5th Mode Shape (1625.8 Hz)

Results for Al Plate

Modal Analysis

Static Analysis

Mode

Frequency (Hz)

1st

553.83

Max. Deformation

2nd

882.18

Max. Von Mises Stress

3rd

1325.9

4th

1427.5

5th

1625.8

1.405e-002 mm
1.179e+006 Pa

Properties of Composite plate (Epoxy

E
glass)
Length
0.50 m
Width
0.35 m
Thickness 0.01 m
Density
1850 kg/m^3
Orthotropic Elastic Properties of Epoxy E glass
Young's Modulus X direction 35 GPa
Shear Modulus XY 4.7 GPa
Young's Modulus Y direction 9 GPa
Young's Modulus Z direction 9 GPa
Poisson's Ratio XY
0.28
Poisson's Ratio YZ
0.4
Poisson's Ratio ZX

0.28

Shear Modulus YZ 3.5 GPa

Shear Modulus ZX 4.7 GPa

Model
Boundary Conditions
All 4 side Faces are Clamped or fixed.
Model type
Orthotropic Elastic
Load Conditions
Applied Load in z direction 500 N

Model
Model was developed using ACP module of ANSYS.
First of all, Epoxy E glass properties was entered as
engineering data.
Fabric of E glass is defined.
Sub- laminate of 10 layers of fabric is defined.
Thickness of each layer 0.001 m
Stacking Sequence is defined as 0, 45, 90,-45, -90, 0, 45, 90,45, -90
Finally Solid Model generated for analysis.

Mesh Information
Nodes
Elements

85200
76230

Total Deformation

Von Mises Stress

1st Mode Shape (445.01 Hz)

2nd Mode Shape (736.28 Hz)

3rd Mode Shape (1089.2 Hz)

4th Mode Shape (1222.6 Hz)

5th Mode Shape (1361.1 Hz)

Results for Composite Plate

Modal Analysis

Static Analysis

Frequency (Hz)

Mode

445.01

Max. Deformation

2.

736.28

Max. Von Mises Stress

3.

1089.2

4.

1222.6

5.

1361.1

1.

1.5744e-003 mm
7.8096e+005 Pa

Comparison of Frequencies
Al 1060 Plate

Composite Plate

Comparison
Al 1060 Plate

Composite Plate

Conclusions
In Case of Composite Plate the Max Deformation is almost 10 times
less than that of Al 1060 plate for same geometry and loading
conditions.
In Case of Composite Plate the Max Von mises stress is almost 1.5
times less than that of Al 1060 plate for same geometry and
loading conditions.
Modal Frequencies are also coming less in case of composite plate.

Thanks