Constitutive relations of periodic laminated composites with anisotropic dissipation (Q1313900)

This paper is concerned with the macromechanical analysis of dynamic behavior of a periodic laminated composite plate within the frame of the effective modulus (or the homogenization) theory of composite elements. Accordingly, all the essential interface features of laminated composite plate are naturally omitted in the analysis. The composite plate may comprise any number of linearly elastic, orthotropic homogeneous layers, each with a distinct but uniform thickness and mechanical properties. Thermoelastic films with isotropic viscous behavior are inserted between the adjacent layers of composite plate. The components of the displacement vector and those of the stress vector of a constituent are expressed by power series expansions in terms of a small parameter. The microscopic behavior of composite plate is first examined, and then by an averaging procedure over the plate thickness the effective (averaged) constitutive relations of composite plate are systematically formulated. Both the elastic behavior and dissipation of composite plate are taken into account. Special cases concerning the geometry and the mechanical properties of layers are studied. The attenuation of an elastic stress wave propagating in the homogenized composite plate with transversely isotropic behavior is thoroughly examined. This well written paper which is an extension of the work of \textit{F. Santosa} and \textit{W. W. Symes} [Int. J. Solids Struct. 25, No. 4, 381-392 (1989; Zbl 0705.73004)] should be much appreciated if its conclusions would include certain comparative numerical examples. The paper may appeal to engineers and researchers working in the area of one- and two- dimensional composite structures.