Propagation characteristics of guided waves in CNTRCs plates resting on elastic foundations in a thermal environment

Abstract

This paper investigates the wave propagation behavior of carbon nanotube-reinforced composites (CNTRCs) plates resting on elastic foundations in a thermal environment. The first-order shear deformation plate theory is applied to establish the mathematical model for the CNTRC plates. The effective material properties are calculated using the rule of mixture. Considering the effects of transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia, the governing equations of the CNTRC plates are derived using Hamilton’s principle. Then, the equations of motion are discretized by the Galerkin method and solved analytically by the eigenvalue method. Finally, the effects of various parameters including the temperature variations, the volume fraction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), elastic foundations and the CNTs’ distribution patterns on the dispersion relations are investigated, it can be found that these parameters have significant effects on the wave propagation of CNTRCs plates.