• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.73-91
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• 2024

This paper has focused on presenting vibration analysis of trapezoidal sandwich plates with a damaged core and FG wavy CNT-reinforced face sheets. A damage model is introduced to provide an analytical description of an irreversible rheological process that causes the decay of the mechanical properties, in terms of engineering constants. An isotropic damage is considered for the core of the sandwich structure. The classical theory concerning the mechanical efficiency of a matrix embedding finite length fibers has been modified by introducing the tube-to-tube random contact, which explicitly accounts for the progressive reduction of the tubes' effective aspect ratio as the filler content increases. The First-order shear deformation theory of plate is utilized to establish governing partial differential equations and boundary conditions for the trapezoidal plate. The governing equations together with related boundary conditions are discretized using a mapping-generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method in spatial domain. Then natural frequencies of the trapezoidal sandwich plates are obtained using GDQ method. Validity of the current study is evaluated by comparing its numerical results with those available in the literature. After demonstrating the convergence and accuracy of the method, different parametric studies for laminated trapezoidal structure including carbon nanotubes waviness (0≤w≤1), CNT aspect ratio (0≤AR≤4000), face sheet to core thickness ratio (0.1 ≤ ${\frac{h_f}{h_c}}$ ≤ 0.5), trapezoidal side angles (30° ≤ α, β ≤ 90°) and damaged parameter (0 ≤ D < 1) are carried out. It is explicated that the damaged core and weight fraction, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) waviness and CNT aspect ratio can significantly affect the vibrational behavior of the sandwich structure. Results show that by increasing the values of waviness index (w), normalized natural frequency of the structure decreases, and the straight CNT (w=0) gives the highest frequency. For an overall comprehension on vibration of laminated trapezoidal plates, some selected vibration mode shapes were graphically represented in this study.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.78 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2021

This work focused on the novel numerical tool for the bending responses of carbon nanotube reinforced composites (CNTRC) beams. The higher order shear deformation beam theory (HSDT) is used to determine strain-displacement relationships. A new exponential function was introduced into the carbon nanotube (CNT) volume fraction equation to show the effect of the CNT distribution on the CNTRC beams through displacements and stresses. To determine the mechanical properties of CNTRCs, the rule of the mixture was employed by assuming that the single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)are aligned and distributed in the matrix. The governing equations were derived by Hamilton's principle, and the mathematical models presented in this work are numerically provided to verify the accuracy of the present theory. The effects of aspect ratio (l/d), CNT volume fraction (Vcnt), and the order of exponent (n) on the displacement and stresses are presented and discussed in detail. Based on the analytical results. It turns out that the increase of the exponent degree (n) makes the X-beam stiffer and the exponential CNTs distribution plays an indispensable role to improve the mechanical properties of the CNTRC beams.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.275-291
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• 2023

This paper has focused on presenting vibration analysis of trapezoidal sandwich plates with 3D-graphene foam reinforced polymer matrix composites (GrF-PMC) core and FG wavy CNT-reinforced face sheets. The porous graphene foam possessing 3D scaffold structures has been introduced into polymers for enhancing the overall stiffness of the composite structure. Also, 3D graphene foams can distribute uniformly or non-uniformly in the plate thickness direction. The effective Young's modulus, mass density and Poisson's ratio are predicted by the rule of mixture. In this study, the classical theory concerning the mechanical efficiency of a matrix embedding finite length fibers has been modified by introducing the tube-to-tube random contact, which explicitly accounts for the progressive reduction of the tubes' effective aspect ratio as the filler content increases. The First-order shear deformation theory of plate is utilized to establish governing partial differential equations and boundary conditions for trapezoidal plate. The governing equations together with related boundary conditions are discretized using a mapping-generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method in spatial domain. Then natural frequencies of the trapezoidal sandwich plates are obtained using GDQ method. Validity of the current study is evaluated by comparing its numerical results with those available in the literature. It is explicated that 3D-GrF skeleton type and weight fraction, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) waviness and CNT aspect ratio can significantly affect the vibrational behavior of the sandwich structure. The plate's normalized natural frequency decreased and the straight carbon nanotube (w=0) reached the highest frequency by increasing the values of the waviness index (w).

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.497-517
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• 2015

In this study, nonlocal nonlinear buckling analysis of embedded polymeric temperature-dependent microplates resting on an elastic matrix as orthotropic temperature-dependent elastomeric medium is investigated. The microplate is reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in which the equivalent material properties nanocomposite are estimated based on the rule of mixture. For the carbon-nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) plate, both cases of uniform distribution (UD) and functionally graded (FG) distribution patterns of SWCNT reinforcements are considered. The small size effects of microplate are considered based on Eringen's nonlocal theory. Based on orthotropic Mindlin plate theory along with von K$\acute{a}$rm$\acute{a}$n geometric nonlinearity and Hamilton's principle, the governing equations are derived. Generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) is applied for obtaining the buckling load of system. The effects of different parameters such as nonlocal parameters, volume fractions of SWCNTs, distribution type of SWCNTs in polymer, elastomeric medium, aspect ratio, boundary condition, orientation of foundation orthtotropy direction and temperature are considered on the nonlinear buckling of the microplate. Results indicate that CNT distribution close to top and bottom are more efficient than those distributed nearby the mid-plane for increasing the buckling load.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.73 no.5
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• pp.555-563
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• 2020

The objective of present paper is assessment of dynamic buckling behavior of an embedded sandwich microplates in thermal environment in which the layers are reinforced through functionally graded carbon nanotubes (FG-CNTs). Therefore, mixture rule is taken into consideration for obtaining effective material characteristics. In order to model this structure much more realistic, Kelvin-Voigt model is presumed and the sandwich structure is rested on visco-Pasternak medium. Exponential shear deformation theory (ESDT) in addition to Eringen's nonlocal theory are utilized to obtain motion equations. Further, differential cubature method (DCM) as well as Bolotin's procedure are used to solve governing equations and achieve dynamic instability region (DIR) related to sandwich structure. Different parameters focusing on volume percent of CNTs, dispersion kinds of CNTs, thermal environment, small scale effect and structural damping and their influences upon the dynamic behavior of sandwich structure are investigated. So as to indicate the accuracy of applied theories as well as methods, the results are collated with another paper. According to results, presence of CNTs and their dispersion kind can alter system's dynamic response as well.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.569-578
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• 2018

This paper aims to investigate the transient vibration behavior of functionally graded carbon nanotube (FG-CNT) reinforced nanocomposite plate resting on Pasternak foundation under pulse excitation. The plate is considered to be composed of matrix material and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with distribution as per the functional grading concept. The functionally graded distribution patterns in nanocomposite plate are explained more appropriately with the layer-wise variation of carbon nanotubes weight fraction in the thickness coordinate. The layers are stacked up in such a way that it yields uniform and three other types of distribution patterns. The effective material properties of each layer in nanocomposite plate are obtained by modified Halpin-Tsai model and rule of mixtures. The governing equations of an illustrative case of simply-supported nanocomposite plate resting on the Pasternak foundation are derived from third order shear deformation theory and Navier's solution technique. A converge transient response of nanocompiste plate under uniformly distributed load with triangular pulse is obtained by varying number of layer in thickness direction. The validity and accuracy of the present model is also checked by comparing the results with those available in literature for isotropic case. Then, numerical examples are presented to highlight the effects of distribution patterns, foundation stiffness, carbon nanotube parameters and plate aspect ratio on the central deflection response. The results are extended with the consideration of proportional damping in the system and found that nanocomposite plate with distribution III have minimum settling time as compared to the other distributions.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 2022

The object of this paper is to investigate the free vibration behavior under the effect of carbon nanotube distribution in functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) by using higher-order shear deformation theories. In this work, we present a novel distribution method for carbon nanotubes in the polymer matrix by using a new exponential power law distribution of carbon nanotube volume fraction. It is assumed that the SWCNTs are aligned along the beam axial direction and the distribution of the SWCNTs may vary through the thickness of the beam with different patterns of reinforcement. The rule of mixtures is used in order to obtain material properties of the CNTRC beams. Hamilton's principle is used in deriving the equations of motion. The validity of the free Vibration results is examined by comparing them with those of the known data in the literature. The results that obtained indicate that the carbon nanotube volume fraction distribution play a very important role on the free vibrations characteristics of the CNTRC beam.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.67 no.6
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• pp.565-578
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• 2018

This research article reported the nonlinear finite solutions of the nonlinear flexural strength and stress behaviour of nano sandwich graded structural shell panel under the combined thermomechanical loading. The nanotube sandwich structural model is derived mathematically using the higher-order displacement polynomial including the full geometrical nonlinear strain-displacement equations via Green-Lagrange relations. The face sheets of the sandwich panel are assumed to be carbon nanotube-reinforced polymer composite with temperature dependent material properties. Additionally, the numerical model included different types of nanotube distribution patterns for the sandwich face sheets for the sake of variable strength. The required equilibrium equation of the graded carbon nanotube sandwich structural panel is derived by minimizing the total potential energy expression. The energy expression is further solved to obtain the deflection values (linear and nonlinear) via the direct iterative method in conjunction with finite element steps. A computer code is prepared (MATLAB environment) based on the current higher-order nonlinear model for the numerical analysis purpose. The stability of the numerical solution and the validity are verified by comparing the published deflection and stress values. Finally, the nonlinear model is utilized to explore the deflection and the stresses of the nanotube-reinforced (volume fraction and distribution patterns of carbon nanotube) sandwich structure (different core to face thickness ratios) for the variable type of structural parameter (thickness ratio, aspect ratio, geometrical configurations, constraints at the edges and curvature ratio) and unlike temperature loading.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.67 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2018

By using the first order shear deformation plate theory (FSDT) in the present paper, the effect of porosity on the buckling behavior of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite porous plates has been investigated analytically. Two types of distributions of uniaxially aligned reinforcement material are utilized which uniformly (UD-CNT) and functionally graded (FG-CNT) of plates. The analytical equations of the model are derived and the exact solutions for critical buckling load of such type's plates are obtained. The convergence of the method is demonstrated and the present solutions are numerically validated by comparison with some available solutions in the literature. The central thesis studied and discussed in this paper is the Influence of Various parameters on the buckling of carbon nanotube-reinforced porous plate such as aspect ratios, volume fraction, types of reinforcement, the degree of porosity and plate thickness. On the question of porosity, this study found that there is a great influence of their variation on the critical buckling load. It is revealed that the critical buckling load decreases as increasing coefficients of porosity.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2020

In this paper, critical fluid velocity and frequency of laminated pipe conveying fluid are presented. Each layer of the pipe is reinforced by functionally graded carbon nanotubes (FG-CNTs). The internal fluid is assumed turbulent and the induced forces are calculated by momentum equations. The pipe is resting on viscoelastic foundation with spring, shear and damping constants. The motion equations are derived based on classical shell theory and energy method. Differential quadrature method (DQM) is used for solution and obtaining the critical fluid velocity. The effects of volume percent and distribution of CNT, boundary condition, lamina layer number, length to radius ration of pipe, viscoelastic medium and fluid velocity are shown on the critical fluid velocity. Results show that with increasing the lamina layer number, the critical fluid velocity increases.