ABSTRACT
It was therefore decided to develop a model to predict the dispersion curves for various composite lay ups. There are currently several different approaches to modelling Lamb waves in anisotropic layered media. Two o f the most widely used are the Transfer Matrix method and the Global Matrix method, both o f which are described by Lowe[3]. An alternative approach is to use a finite element technique[4]. In general, the finite element method should prove easier to adapt to different plate lay-ups and is simpler to implement. However, finite element methods may involve more computational time. The finite element program written to model composite laminates uses a method similar to that described by Datta et al[5]. The work by Datta was limited to 0 and 90 degree plies. This model has expanded the work so that ±45 degree plies can also be incorporated in the plate lay-up. This has been achieved by allowing particle motion in the y-direction which was not permitted by Datta.
