Effect of CNT reinforcements on the flutter boundaries of cantilever trapezoidal plates under yawed supersonic fluid flow

Abstract

A comprehensive study is presented on the supersonic flutter analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced (FG-CNTRC) cantilever trapezoidal plates. First-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is employed to model the structure, effective mechanical properties are calculated based on the extended rule of mixture, aerodynamic pressure is estimated according to the piston theory and the set of governing equations and boundary conditions are derived using Hamilton’s principle. A numerical solution is done using generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) and natural frequencies, corresponding mode shapes, critical speed and flutter frequency are calculated. Convergence and accuracy of the presented solution are confirmed and effect of various parameters on the flutter boundaries are investigated including geometrical parameters, yaw angle, volume fraction, and distribution of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In the near future, results of this article can be considered as a useful tool in design and analysis of aeronautic vehicles flying at supersonic speeds.