Broadband Identification of Material Properties of an Orthotropic Composite Plate Using the Force Analysis Technique

This work presents an original broadband method able to determine the homogenized mechanical properties of orthotropic composite plates in their main directions. This method is based on a vibratory inverse method and do not need using Eigen mode. This technique is derived from the Force Analysis Technique (FAT), originally designed to identify vibration sources on bars and plates. The main advantage of this method is that it does not require any specific preparation and can be carried out on a real and complex structure. Moreover it is non-destructive and non-invasive method and only requires the excitation by a classical electromagnetic shaker. The main characteristic mechanical parameters (Young’s moduli and damping loss factors) are identified at all measured frequencies and not only at the Eigen frequencies as compared to others measurement techniques. An experimental validation shows a good correlation with the expected values for the Young’s moduli of the test plate. Working on a complex structure shows that the method is applicable for various configurations of operating conditions and leads to a good determination of the mechanical properties of a planar component.