Baba, B.O.Gibson, R.F.Soni, S.2025-01-272025-01-272006978-160423766-5https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12428/1251721st Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites 2006 -- 17 September 2006 through 20 September 2006 -- Dearborn, MI -- 93319This paper summarizes finite element and experimental studies of the effect of fatigue cracks on the vibration characteristics of composite sandwich beams. The natural frequencies and corresponding vibration modes of a free-free sandwich beam having three distinct fatigue crack forms were predicted using a two-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA). In this analysis, the free and forced vibration responses of the sandwich beams were studied, and the shifts in the peaks of the frequency response due to crack forms were examined. Four point bending and vibration tests were conducted on sandwich beams with carbon/epoxy laminated composite faces and foam core to verify the finite element results and to obtain data for modeling. Agreement between predictions of the model and experimental observations is good.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessComposite beams and girders; Cracks; Fatigue crack propagation; Fatigue of materials; Frequency response; Laminated composites; Vibration analysis; Carbon/epoxy; Composite sandwich beam; Experimental observation; Experimental studies; Fatigue cracks; Finite Element; Foam core; Four point bending; Free and forced vibrations; Modal vibrations; Sandwich beams; Two-dimensional finite element analysis; Vibration characteristics; Vibration modes; Vibration test; Sandwich structuresConference Object11132-s2.0-84867660915N/A