A new approach for developing dynamic theories for structural elements : Part 2: Application to thermoelastic layered composites

In this study a continuum theory is proposed which predicts the dynamic behavior of thermoelastic layered composites consisting of two alternating layers. In constructing the theory, it is noted that the governing equations for a single layer, derived in Part I, hold in each phase of the layered composite. The theory is completed by supplementing these equations with continuity conditions and using a smoothing operation. The derivation of the continuity conditions is based on the assumption that the layers are perfectly bonded at interfaces. To assess the theory, spectra from the exact and the derived theory are compared for waves propagating in various directions of the composite. The match between the two is excellent. For waves propagating normal to layering the theory predicts both the banded and periodic structure of the spectra. The region of validity of the theory on the wave number-frequency plane can be enlargened by increasing the orders of the theory and the continuity conditions.