An Experimental Study of the Complex Dynamic Modulus

An overview of an experimental program for determining the dynamic flexural constitution of materials is presented. This program entails the development of a fully-automated flexural apparatus, its calibration, and studies of structural damping and dynamic flexural modulus of a variety of materials. Furthermore, graphite/aluminum laminates, [±?]s, with ? ranging from zero to ninety degrees in fifteen degree increments, were tested. Classical laminate theory and the work of Ni and Adams was found to adequately predict both the modulus and the damping. It is demonstrated that the attachment of an end-mass (to vary the resonant frequency) does not contribute to the measured damping.