The effects of thermal loadings on wave propagation analysis of multi-scale hybrid composite beams

Abstract

This research is concerned with the analysis of wave propagation of multi-scale hybrid composite beams subjected to various types of thermal loading. Carbon fiber (CF) and carbon nanotube (CNT) are assumed as reinforcements that are distributed in the matrix. The homogenization process is performed exerting the Halpin–Tsai model and the rule of mixture. Different types of temperature rise, namely, uniform, linear and sinusoidal temperature rise are presumed to present a more trustworthy thermal analysis. The beam is rested on Winkler–Pasternak foundation. A refined trigonometric shear deformable beam theory is used to compute the kinetic relations without any external shear correction coefficient. Governing equations are derived implementing Hamilton’s principle and then solved analytically. Eventually, the effects of different parameters, such as CNT’s weight fraction, the volume fraction of CF, elastic foundation, different types of temperature rise, etc., on wave frequency and phase velocity. are provided numerically in the framework of a set of illustrations.