Natural frequencies of vibration of a class of solids composed of layers of isotropic materials

In a recent paper, the Ritz method with simple algebraic polynomials as trial functions was used to obtain an eigenvalue equation for the free vibration of a class of homogeneous solids with cavities. The method presented is here extended to the study of a class of non-homogeneous solids, in which each solid is composed of a number of isotropic layers with different material properties. The Cartesian coordinate system is used to describe the geometry of the solid which is modelled by means of a segment bounded by the yz, zx and xy orthogonal coordinate planes and by two curved surfaces which are defined by fairly general polynomial expressions in the coordinates x, y and z. The surface representing the interface between two material layers in the solid is also described by a polynomial expression in the coordinates x, y and z. In order to demonstrate the accuracy of the approach, natural frequencies are given for both a two- and three-layered spherical shell and for a homogeneous hollow cylinder, as computed using the present approach, and are compared with those obtained using an exact solution. Results are then given for a number of two- and three-layered cylinders and, to demonstrate the versatility of the approach, natural frequencies are given for a five-layered cantilevered beam with a central circular hole as well as for a number of composite solids of more general shape.