Abstract
Stiffened functionally graded (FG) folded plates are being widely used these days in aeronautical, automotive, and naval applications which are often exposed to extreme environmental conditions characterized by high temperature and moisture concentrations. However, a numerical model to estimate the dynamic response of such structures in hygrothermal environment is almost non-existent. It is from this perspective that, a MATLAB-based finite element (FE) model is developed to assess the free vibration characteristics of stiffened FG folded panels in hygrothermal environment and is presented for the first time in this article. The governing equation is derived following the first order shear deformation theory including hygro-elastic and thermo-elastic relations. Temperature and moisture concentrations are assumed to vary both linearly and uniformly through the plate’s thickness to numerically simulate hygrothermal environment. Non-linear strains are incorporated in the present FE model to consider the hygrothermal effect. Another FE model is also developed in COMSOL Multiphysics software for these structures and is compared with the MATLAB-based model. Numerical simulations reveal that the free vibration characteristics of stiffened FG folded plates are significantly affected by hygrothermal environment. The present FE models can be effectively utilized by engineers and researchers to analyze and optimize the dynamic behavior of stiffened FG folded plates. The results are also expected to serve as a benchmark for future research works.
Published Version
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