Nonlinear vibration of nanotube-reinforced composite cylindrical panels resting on elastic foundations in thermal environments

Abstract This paper investigates the large amplitude vibration behavior of nanocomposite cylindrical panels resting on elastic foundations in thermal environments. Two kinds of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (CNTRC) panels, namely, uniformly distributed and functionally graded reinforcements, are considered. The material properties of FG-CNTRC panels are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction, and are estimated through a micromechanical model. The motion equations are based on a higher-order shear deformation theory with a von Karman-type of kinematic nonlinearity. The panel-foundation interaction and thermal effects are also included and the material properties of CNTRCs are assumed to be temperature-dependent. The equations of motion are solved by a two-step perturbation technique to determine the nonlinear frequencies of the CNTRC panels. Numerical results demonstrate that the natural frequencies of the CNTRC panels are reduced but the nonlinear to linear frequency ratios of the CNTRC panels are increased as the temperature rises. In contrast, natural frequencies are increased but the nonlinear to linear frequency ratios are decreased by increasing the foundation stiffness. The results reveal that the natural frequencies are increased by increasing the CNT volume fraction, whereas the CNTRC panels with intermediate CNT volume fraction do not necessarily have intermediate nonlinear to linear frequency ratios.