Young's and Shear Moduli of Unidirectional Composites by a Resonant Beam Method

The resonant frequencies of unidirectional graphite epoxy com posite beams were found to deviate markedly from classical beam theory predictions at higher modes of vibration. Timoshenko beam theory was used to account quantitatively for the dependence of ex perimental resonant frequencies on mode of vibration, length/thickness ratio, and the ratio of Young's modulus/shear modulus of the com posite beam. By using reasonable values for the longitudinal-trans verse shear moduli, the longitudinal Young's modulus of anisotropic composite beams under vibration agreed well with values determined by static tests and became independent of mode of vibration and L/t. The vibrating beam test method was employed for the deter mination of E 11 , E 22 , and G 12 .