Numerical analysis on vibration of functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite beams and plates

Abstract

This research investigates the free vibration of nanocomposite beams and plates reinforced by carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The distribution of the CNTs may functionally gradient (FG) through the thickness of beams and plates. The reinforcing CNTs are aligned along the axial direction for beams and at an angle to the length direction for plates. The energy equations of free vibration for the CNT composite beams and plates are obtained using the classic variational method of Hamilton's principle and the geometric nonlinearity of von Ka'rma'n sense is considered for beam vibration. The eigenvalue equation for free vibration of the nanocomposite beams and plates are then derived by the p-Ritz method. Vibration frequency parameters for the uniformly distributed (UD) and functionally graded (FG) CNT beams and plates based on the first order and third order shear deformation theories are presented, and the differences in vibration frequencies between these two theories are highlighted. Parametric studies are carried out and the effects of CNT filler volume fraction, CNT distribution, CNT reinforcing angle, structure geometry, end/edge support conditions, nonlinear vibration amplitudes (for beams only) on the free vibration characteristics of the beams and plates are presented and discussed.The present works may offer a better understanding of the vibration behaviours of FG-CNT composite beams and plates, and pave the way for their potential applications in actuators and resonators.

Date of Award	2013
Original language	English