The loss-factor of pre-stressed laminated curved panels and cylinders using a Wave and Finite Element method.

In this paper a Wave and Finite Element (WFE) post-processing technique is applied to predict the effects of pre-stress on the damping of curved panels. It is seen that pre-stress substantially reduces the global loss factor, especially of those modes of vibration which involve considerable radial displacement. This is particularly significant for aerospace structures since ground-test results typically do not include pre-loads. The WFE approach and its extension to include pre-stress effects are briefly described. Numerical examples concerning a pressurised viscoelastic cylinder and a pre-loaded curved laminated panel are presented.