In this report, a practical finite element design method is developed for metal/polymer/metal laminates. An analysis is presented which will predict the damping characteristics of laminated structures. Predictions of natural frequencies, loss factors, and frequency responses are compared to experimental data and closed form solutions. The analysis is then used to show a reduced vibration response with the laminated design as compared to a metal design. With the methods presented here, components may be designed which reduce vibrations, noise, and fatigue wear by means of a practical finite element approach. Vibration problems are avoided, allowing other specifications, such as weight or tooling concerns, to be used to size the component.
