Graded Carbon Nanotube-reinforced Composite Beams Research Articles

Static, buckling, and free vibration responses of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams with elastic foundation in non-polynomial framework

In this work, the static, buckling, and free vibration analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beam resting on a Pasternak elastic foundation are studied. The secant function-based shear deformation theory (SFSDT) is used for this analysis. This theory fulfills the traction-free boundary conditions at the top and bottom surfaces of the beam, hence there is no need for a shear correction factor. Hamilton’s principle is used to determine the governing differential equations and boundary conditions whereas Navier’s solution technique is used for determining the closed-form solution. The analytical approach is used to examine the deflection, stresses, critical buckling load, and natural frequencies of the FG-CNTRC beam resting on the Pasternak elastic foundation including a shear layer and Winkler springs. To determine the material characteristics of FG-CNTRC beams, the Rule of the mixture is used. Uniform distribution (UD-beam), FG-X beam, FG-O beam, and FG-V beam are the different forms of CNT reinforcement distribution that are used in this study. Considering different span thickness ratios, the volume fraction and distribution of CNT, the Winkler spring, and the shear layer constant factors, all the structural responses are predicted. It is also observed that the present theory predicts the structural responses of the FG-CNTRC beam accurately when compared to other existing theories. A few new results are also included as the benchmark solutions for the new research.

Free vibration of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beam

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the free vibration behavior of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beam. The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are aligned and distributed in polymeric matrix with different patterns of reinforcement. The material properties of the FG-CNTRC beam are estimated by using the rule of mixture. The trigonometric shear deformation beam theory is employed to deal with the problem. The mathematical models provided in this paper are numerically validated by comparison with some available results. New results of free vibration analyses of FG-CNTRC beam are presented and discussed in detail. The effects of the length to thickness ratio and CNT volume fraction are taken into investigation.

On Vibration Responses of Advanced Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Composite Nanobeams

This article presents an analytical approach to explore the free vibration behaviour of new functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams (FG-CNTRC) based on a two-variable higher-order shear deformation theory and nonlocal strain gradient theory. The beams resting on the Pasternak elastic foundation, including a shear layer and Winkler spring, are considered. The kinematic relations of the shaft are proposed according to novel trigonometric functions. The vibrated nanobeam’s motion equations are obtained via the classical Hamilton’s principle and solved using Navier’s steps. A comparative evaluation of results against predictions from literature demonstrates the accuracy of the proposed analytical model. Moreover, a detailed parametric analysis checks for the sensitivity of the vibration response of FG nanobeams to nonlocal length scale, strain gradient microstructure scale, material distribution, constant spring factors, and geometry. The current work presents the free vibration problem of supported (FG-CNTRC) beams reinforced by different patterns of carbon nanotube (CNT) distributions in the polymeric matrix.

Influence of the boundary relaxation on free vibration of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams with geometric imperfections

Influence of the boundary relaxation on free vibration of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams with geometric imperfections

Study on the detailed and homogenized models for functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams

Study on the detailed and homogenized models for functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams

An analytical study on the nonlinear forced vibration of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams on nonlinear viscoelastic foundation

This paper deals with the nonlinear forced vibration of nanocomposite beams resting on a nonlinear viscoelastic foundation and subjected to a transverse periodic excitation. It is considered that the functionally graded carbon nanotubereinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beam is made of an isotropic matrix reinforced by either aligned- or randomly oriented-straight single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with four types of distributions through the thickness direction of the beam. Both the Eshelby–Mori–Tanaka approach and extended rule of mixtures are used to predict the effective material properties of the FG-CNTRC beams. The mathematical model of the beam is developed based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory together with von Karman assumptions. Subsequently, the accurate analytical solutions of the governing equation are obtained through applying the variational iteration method (VIM). Several examples are verified to have higher accuracy than those available in the literature. In addition, a comprehensive investigation into the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) distribution, CNTs volume fraction, end supports, vibration amplitude, and foundation coefficients on the vibrational characteristics of the nanocomposite beam is performed and some new results are presented.

Buckling response with stretching effect of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams resting on elastic foundation

This study deals with buckling analysis with stretching effect of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams resting on an elastic foundation. The single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are aligned and distributed in polymeric matrix with different patterns of reinforcement. The material properties of the CNTRC beams are estimated by using the rule of mixture. The significant feature of this model is that, in addition to including the shear deformation effect and stretching effect it deals with only 4 unknowns without including a shear correction factor. The equilibrium equations have been obtained using the principle of virtual displacements. The mathematical models provided in this paper are numerically validated by comparison with some available results. New results of buckling analyses of CNTRC beams based on the present theory with stretching effect is presented and discussed in details. the effects of different parameters of the beam on the buckling responses of CNTRC beam are discussed.

A new quasi-3D higher shear deformation theory for vibration of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams resting on elastic foundation

This study deals with free vibrations analysis with stretching effect of nanocomposite beams reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) resting on an elastic foundation. Four different carbon nanotubes (CNTs) distributions including uniform and three types of functionally graded distributions of CNTs through the thickness are considered. The rule of mixture is used to describe the effective material properties of the nanocomposite beams. The significant feature of this model is that, in addition to including the shear deformation effect and stretching effect it deals with only 4 unknowns without including a shear correction factor. The governing equations are derived through using Hamilton\'s principle. Natural frequencies are obtained for nanocomposite beams. The mathematical models provided in this paper are numerically validated by comparison with some available results. New results of free vibration analyses of CNTRC beams based on the present theory with stretching effect is presented and discussed in details. The effects of different parameters of the beam on the vibration responses of CNTRC beam are discussed.

Active Vibration Control of a Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composite Beam Subjected to Follower Force

The flutter vibration of a functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beam subjected to a follower force has been studied in this paper; in addition, by using an inverse dynamics controller, the flutter vibrations of the beam have been suppressed. The material properties of the composite beam which are graded in the thickness direction of it are estimated through the rule of mixture. According to Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, the Lagrange–Rayleigh–Ritz technique has been employed to derive the governing equations of the FG-CNTRC beam. The attached piezoelectric layers have been considered as actuators and sensors. The beam is assumed fixed from one end, and free at the other end. The effects of the system parameters, such as volume fraction, distribution patterns of the carbon nanotubes, the magnitude of the mechanical load (follower force), and the length of the piezoelectric layers on the stability of the FG-CNTRC beam structure, and controller efficiency are investigated.

Uncertain Buckling and Sensitivity Analysis of Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composite Beam

The static instability of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beam in the presence of the material and geometrical uncertainties is investigated. By utilizing the extended rule of mixture, the mechanical properties of nanocomposite beam are estimated, and critical buckling loads are obtained by the use of Galerkin’s method. To take propagation of uncertain variables into account, a nonprobabilistic approach is employed. The suggested model is justified by a great agreement between the given results and available data in the literature. The most prominent uncertain variables are distinguished based on a sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, the influence of volume fraction of the carbon nanotube on the upper and lower bounds of uncertain buckling load and uncertainty propagation percent of FG-CNTRC beam is examined.

Thermo-mechanical vibration analysis of sandwich beams with functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite face sheets based on a higher-order shear deformation beam theory

ABSTRACTThis article proposes a higher-order shear deformation beam theory for free vibration analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite sandwich beams in a thermal environment. The temperature-dependent material properties of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams are supposed to vary continuously in the thickness direction and are estimated through the rule of mixture. The governing equations and boundary conditions are derived by using Hamilton's principle, and the Navier solution procedure is used to achieve the natural frequencies of the sandwich beam in a thermal environment. A parametric study is led to carry out the effects of carbon nanotube volume fractions, slenderness ratio, and core-to-face sheet thickness ratio on free vibration behavior of sandwich beams with functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite face sheets. Numerical results are also presented in order to compare the behavior of sandwich beams including uniformly distributed carbon nanotube-reinforced composite face sheets to those including functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite face sheets.

Imperfection sensitivity of thermal post-buckling behaviour of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams

This paper investigates the imperfection sensitivity of thermal post-buckling behaviour of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beams subjected to in-plane temperature variation. The material properties of FG-CNTRCs are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction and temperature-dependent. A generic imperfection function is used to model various possible imperfections, including sine type, global and localized imperfections. The governing equations are derived based on the first-order shear deformation beam theory and von-Kármán geometric nonlinearity. The differential quadrature method in conjunction with modified Newton–Raphson technique is employed to determine the thermal post-buckling equilibrium path of imperfect FG-CNTRC beams. Thermal buckling is treated as a subset problem. A parametric study is conducted to examine the effects of imperfection mode, half-wave number, location and amplitude on their thermal post-buckling performance. The influences of distribution pattern and volume fraction of carbon nanotubes, boundary conditions and slenderness ratio are discussed as well. The results indicate that the thermal post-buckling is highly sensitive to the imperfection mode, half-wave number, location as well as its amplitude. It is also shown that the clamped-clamped FG-CNTRC beam is more sensitive to imperfections than those with other boundary conditions whereas other parameters do not substantially affect the imperfection sensitivity of thermal post-buckling behaviour.

Imperfection sensitivity of postbuckling behaviour of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams

The imperfection sensitivity of the postbuckling behaviour of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beams subjected to axial compression is investigated based on the first-order shear deformation beam theory with a von Kármán geometric nonlinearity. The material properties of FG-CNTRC are assumed to vary in the beam thickness direction and are estimated according to the extended rule of mixture. The differential quadrature method is employed to discretize the governing differential equations and the modified Newton-Raphson iterative technique is used to obtain the postbuckling equilibrium paths of FG-CNTRC beams with various imperfections. Parametric studies are carried out to examine the effects of imperfection modes, half-wave number, location, and amplitude on the postbuckling response of beams. The influences of CNT distribution pattern and volume fraction, boundary conditions, and slenderness ratio are also discussed. Numerical results in graphical form show that the postbuckling behaviour is highly sensitive to the imperfection amplitude. The imperfection mode and its half-wave number also moderately affect the imperfection sensitivity of the postbuckling response, whereas the effects of other parameters are much less pronounced.

Thermal Buckling and Postbuckling Analysis of Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composite Beams

Thermal buckling and postbuckling of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beams are investigated in this paper based on Timoshenko beam theory within the framework of von Kármán geometric nonlinearity. The material properties of FG-CNTRCs are assumed to be temperature-dependent and vary in the beam thickness direction. The governing equations are derived by employing Hamilton’s principle then discretized by using differential quadrature (DQ) method. An iterative scheme is used to obtain the critical buckling temperature and nonlinear thermal postbuckling equilibrium path of the FG-CNTRC beam. Numerical results are presented for FG-CNTRC beams hinged or clamped at both ends, with particular focuses on the effects of the volume fraction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), slenderness ratio, and end supports on the thermal buckling and postbuckling characteristics.

Nonlinear vibration of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams with geometric imperfections

The nonlinear vibration of imperfect shear deformable functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beams is studied in this paper based on the first-order shear deformation beam theory and von Kármán geometric nonlinearity. A one-dimensional imperfection model in the form of the product of trigonometric and hyperbolic functions are used to describe the various possible geometric imperfections such as sine type, global, and localized imperfections. The governing equations are derived by employing the Ritz method and then solved by an iteration procedure. Special attention is given to the influences of imperfection mode, location, and amplitude on the nonlinear behaviour. The linear vibration is also discussed as a subset problem. Numerical results in tabular and graphical forms show that the nonlinear vibration behaviour of imperfect FG-CNTRC beams is considerably sensitive to sine type and global imperfections (except for G2-mode), whereas the effect of localized imperfection is much less pronounced. It is also observed that whether the FG-CNTRC beam exhibits the “hard-spring” or “soft-spring” vibration behaviour is largely dependent on the initial imperfection mode, its amplitude as well as the vibration amplitude.

On bending, buckling and vibration responses of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams

In this work, a trigonometric refined beam theory for the bending, buckling and free vibration analysis of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (CNTRC) beams resting on elastic foundation is developed. The significant feature of this model is that, in addition to including the shear deformation effect, it deals with only 3 unknowns as the Timoshenko beam (TBM) without including a shear correction factor. The single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are aligned and distributed in polymeric matrix with different patterns of reinforcement. The material properties of the CNTRC beams are assessed by employing the rule of mixture. To examine accuracy of the present theory, several comparison studies are investigated. Furthermore, the effects of different parameters of the beam on the bending, buckling and free vibration responses of CNTRC beam are discussed.

Elasticity Solution of Free Vibration and Bending Behavior of Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composite Beam with Thin Piezoelectric Layers Using Differential Quadrature Method

Based on the theory of elasticity, bending and free vibrational analyses of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beam embedded in piezoelectric layers are carried out, using the state-space differential quadrature method (DQM). Applying the DQM to the governing differential equations and boundary conditions along the longitudinal directions, new state equations about state variables at discrete points are derived. By using the state-space technique across the thickness direction, semi- analytical closed form solutions are derived. The method is validated by comparing numerical results for beams without piezoelectric layers. Both the direct and the inverse piezoelectric effects are investigated and the influence of piezoelectric layers on the mechanical behavior of beam is studied. Furthermore, the effects of CNT volume fraction, kind of CNT distribution, length to thickness ratio and edge boundary conditions on the mechanical behavior of the beams are examined.

Dynamic Stability of Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composite Beams

This article presents a dynamic stability analysis of functionally graded nanocomposite beams reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) based on Timoshenko beam theory. The material properties of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composites (FG-CNTRCs) are assumed to vary in the thickness direction and are estimated through the rule of mixture. The differential quadrature method is employed to convert the governing differential equations into a linear system of Mathieu-Hill equations from which the boundary points on the unstable regions are determined by Bolotin's method. Free vibration and elastic buckling are also discussed as subset problems. A parametric study is conducted to investigate the influences of nanotube volume fraction, slenderness ratio, and end supports on the dynamic stability characteristics of FG-CNTRC beams. Numerical results for composite beams reinforced by uniformly distributed carbon nanotube are also provided for comparison.

Nonlinear free vibration of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams

This paper investigates the nonlinear free vibration of functionally graded nanocomposite beams reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) based on Timoshenko beam theory and von Karman geometric nonlinearity. The material properties of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composites (FG-CNTRCs) are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction and estimated though the rule of mixture. The Ritz method is employed to derive the governing eigenvalue equation which is then solved by a direct iterative method to obtain the nonlinear vibration frequencies of FG-CNTRC beams with different end supports. A detailed parametric study is conducted to study the influences of nanotube volume fraction, vibration amplitude, slenderness ratio and end supports on the nonlinear free vibration characteristics of FG-CNTRC beams. The results for uniformly distributed carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (UD-CNTRC) beams are also provided for comparison. Numerical results are presented in both tabular and graphical forms to investigate the effects of nanotube volume fraction, vibration amplitude, slenderness ratio, end supports and CNT distribution on the nonlinear free vibration characteristics of FG-CNTRC beams.