Semi-Analytical Finite Element Method for calculating dispersion curves of a CFRP plate

Abstract

Composite Materials are widely used thanks to their mechanical characteristics. Non destructive evaluation requires knowing the exact dispersion curves to determine the propagative waves and to resolve the phase velocity of symmetrical and antisymmetrical modes. The aim of this paper is to plot the dispersion curves of a Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer plate using Semi Analytical Finite Element Method algorithm. This method combines the analytical expression of the displacement and the finite element method procedure. The resultant advantage is both simplicity and rapidity. The obtained results showed that the method accuracy depends on the elements number of meshing. To ensure good precision and fast computation of the method, the elements number and the order of the interpolation functions must be optimized.