Influence of Geometry and end Conditions on Optimal Fundamental Natural Frequencies of Symmetrically Laminated Plates

The fundamental natural frequency of rectangular symmetrically laminated plates with a given material system is maximized with respect to fiber orientations by using a sequential linear programming method together with a simple move-limit strategy. Significant influence of plate thickness, aspect ratio, circular cutout and end conditions on the optimal fiber orientations and the associated optimal fundamental natural frequency of fiber-reinforced laminated composite plates has been shown through this investigation.