Study of Vibration Behaviour of Stiffened Polymer Composite Shells for Underwater Structural Applications

This paper presents vibration behavior of ring stiffened polymer composite thick shells used for underwater structures. Filament wound shells stiffened with internal and external rings and with hemispherical ends were tested for vibration in air and water in free-free boundary condition using roving hammer and fixed response method. Modal testing of the shells was performed under hydrostatic loading in a custom designed buckling tester for determining natural frequency at higher sea depths. Accelerometer was mounted on the inner surface of the shell. It was excited using a plumbob, rope and pulley arrangement. Experimental results were validated by modal analysis using Hyperworks and ANSYS. Vibration behavior in water was simulated by Fluid structure interaction approach. Experimental first natural frequency in water was lesser than that in air. With increase in hydrostatic pressure, the shell showed moderate variation in natural frequency. The experimental and numerical results of natural frequency and mode shapes were in good agreement with each other. Natural frequencies were lower in long and thick shells