Free Vibration Analysis of Functionally Graded Graphene-Reinforced Composite-Laminated Plates

Abstract

Graphene is recognized as one of the most alluring reinforcements for composite materials due to its exceptional mechanical capabilities. However, the existing models disregarding the compatible requirements of interlaminar stresses in the literature may meet severe challenges for the dynamic analysis of functionally graded graphene-reinforced composite (FG-GRC) laminated thick plates. If transverse shear deformations cannot be described accurately, the prediction of natural frequencies for FG-GRC laminated plates will be seriously and directly affected. Accordingly, an attractive plate theory in conjunction with the analytical approach and finite-element formulation is proposed for free vibration analysis of FG-GRC plates. An improved transverse shear stress field is acquired in terms of the three-dimensional (3D) elasticity equations and the Reissner mixed variational theorem (RMVT). The performance of the suggested model was evaluated using 3D elasticity solutions and the results obtained from other models. Numerical results showed that the suggested model can produce promising results for the thick laminated and sandwich plates. Additionally, a thorough investigation was conducted to study the effects of several graphene parameters, including volume fractions, distribution patterns, span-to-thickness ratios, aspect ratios, boundary conditions, and stacking sequences, on the dynamic responses of FG-GRC laminated plates.