Modal Parameter Control and Forward Dynamic Design of Laminates

Replacing mild steel with composite laminates in automotive structures alters vibration characteristics, posing risks like resonance and structural damage. This study employs finite element (FE) analysis to investigate the influence of fiber configurations on the modal parameters of laminates. For unidirectional laminates (UDLs), natural frequencies exhibit symmetry with extrema at 45° fiber orientation angle (FOA). In multidirectional laminates (MDLs), modal responses depend critically on the position, proportion, and type of FOAs. A modal control method is integrated within the forward design under frequency constraints. A case study of an automotive rear floor demonstrates the method’s ability to achieve efficient frequency tuning without modifying the structural geometry, thereby outperforming conventional methods in cost and flexibility.