• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.68 no.6
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• pp.721-733
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• 2018

The modal frequency responses of functionally graded (FG) sandwich doubly curved shell panels are investigated using a higher-order finite element formulation. The system of equations of the panel structure derived using Hamilton's principle for the evaluation of natural frequencies. The present shell panel model is discretised using the isoparametric Lagrangian element (nine nodes and nine degrees of freedom per node). An in-house MATLAB code is prepared using higher-order kinematics in association with the finite element scheme for the calculation of modal values. The stability of the opted numerical vibration frequency solutions for the various shell geometries i.e., single and doubly curved FG sandwich structure are proven via the convergence test. Further, close conformance of the finite element frequency solutions for the FG sandwich structures is found when compared with the published theoretical predictions (numerical, analytical and 3D elasticity solutions). Subsequently, appropriate numerical examples are solved pertaining to various design factors (curvature ratio, core-face thickness ratio, aspect ratio, support conditions, power-law index and sandwich symmetry type) those have the significant influence on the free vibration modal data of the FG sandwich curved structure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.86 no.4
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• pp.519-533
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• 2023

This work focuses on the dynamic analysis of thermal barrier coated straight and curved turbine blades modelled as functionally graded sandwich panel under thermal environment. The pre- twisted straight/curved blade model is considered to be fixed to the hub and, the complete assembly of the hub and blade are assumed to be rotating. The functionally graded sandwich composite blade is comprised of functionally graded face-sheet material and metal alloy core. The constituents' material properties are assumed to be temperature-dependent, however, the overall properties are evaluated using Voigt's micromechanical scheme in conjunction with the modified power-law functions. The blade model kinematics is based on the equivalent single-layer shear deformation theory. The equations of motion are derived using the extended Hamilton's principle by including the effect of centrifugal forces, and further solved via 2D- isoparametric finite element approximations. The mesh refinement and validation tests are performed to illustrate the stability and accurateness of the present model. In addition, frequency characteristics of the pre-twisted rotating sandwich blades are computed under thermal environment at various sets of parametric conditions such as twist angles, thickness ratios, aspect ratios, layer thickness ratios, volume fractions, rotational velocity and blade curvatures which can be further useful for designing the blade type structures under turbine operating conditions.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.55-67
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• 2019

The finite solutions of deflection and the corresponding in-plane stress values of the graded sandwich shallow shell structure are computed in this research article via a higher-order polynomial shear deformation kinematics. The shell structural equilibrium equation is derived using the variational principle in association with a nine noded isoprametric element (nine degrees of freedom per node). The deflection values are computed via an own customized MATLAB code including the current formulation. The stability of the current finite element solutions including their accuracies have been demonstrated by solving different kind of numerical examples. Additionally, a few numerical experimentations have been conducted to show the influence of different design input parameters (geometrical and material) on the flexural strength of the graded sandwich shell panel including the geometrical configurations.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.347-360
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• 2017

The goal of this study is to fill this apparent gap in the area about vibration analysis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) curved panels by providing 3-D vibration analysis results for functionally graded multiwalled carbon nanotubes (FG-MWCNTs) sandwich structure with power-law distribution of nanotube. The effective material properties of the FG-MWCNT structures are estimated using a modified Halpin-Tsai equation. Modified Halpin-Tsai equation was used to evaluate the Young's modulus of MWCNT/epoxy composite samples by the incorporation of an orientation as well as an exponential shape factor in the equation. The exponential shape factor modifies the Halpin-Tsai equation from expressing a straight line to a nonlinear one in the MWCNTs wt% range considered. Also, the mass density and Poisson's ratio of the MWCNT/phenolic composite are considered based on the rule of mixtures. Parametric studies are carried out to highlight the influence of MWCNT volume fraction in the thickness, different types of CNT distribution, boundary conditions and geometrical parameters on vibrational behavior of FG-MWCNT thick curved panels. Because of using two-dimensional generalized differential quadrature method, the present approach makes possible vibration analysis of cylindrical panels with two opposite axial edges simply supported and arbitrary boundary conditions including Free, Simply supported and Clamped at the curved edges. For an overall comprehension on 3-D vibration analysis of sandwich panel, some mode shape contour plots are reported in this research work.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.477-496
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• 2021

The main objective of this paper is to study vibration of sandwich open cylindrical panel with damaged core and FG face sheets based on three-dimensional theory of elasticity. The structures are made of a damaged isotropic core and two external face sheets. These skins are strengthened at the nanoscale level by randomly oriented Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and are reinforced at the microscale stage by oriented straight fibers. These reinforcing phases are included in a polymer matrix and a three-phase approach based on the Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka scheme and on the Halpin-Tsai approach, which is developed to compute the overall mechanical properties of the composite material. Three complicated equations of motion for the panel under consideration are semi-analytically solved by using 2-D differential quadrature method. Several parametric analyses are carried out to investigate the mechanical behavior of these multi-layered structures depending on the damage features, through-the-thickness distribution and boundary conditions. It is seen that for the large amount of power-law index "P", increasing this parameter does not have significant effect on the non-dimensional natural frequency parameters of the FG sandwich curved panel. Results indicate that by increasing the value of isotropic damage parameter "D" up to the unity (fully damaged core) the frequency would tend to become zero. One can dictate the fiber variation profile through the radial direction of the sandwich panel via the amount of "P", "b" and "c" parameters. It should be noticed that with increase of volume fraction of fibers, the frequency parameter of the panels does not increase necessarily, so by considering suitable amounts of power-law index "P" and the parameters "b" and "c", one can get dynamic characteristics similar or better than the isotropic limit case for laminated FG curved panels.