Effect of Grid Configuration on Buckling and Vibration Response of Composite Grid Plates

The present paper investigates the effects of grid configuration on the buckling and vibration behavior of grid structures. Hence, four similar simply supported plates with equal weights and different grid patterns (Ortho grid, Angle grid, Iso grid and orthotropic grid) are considered. Using, bending stiffness matrix, the buckling load and free vibration frequency of the plates are computed. To investigate the effects of the grid orientation on the mechanical behavior, the orientation of the grids is changed in the plates. The Rayleigh–Ritz method is applied to obtain the axial and shear buckling loads and free vibration frequencies. The results are compared with an angle-ply laminated composite plate with similar in-plane dimensions and equal weight. The results show, changing the grid pattern and orientation, will affect bending stiffness and consequently, significantly change the buckling and vibration behaviors of the grid plates.