Finite element simulations of vibrational dynamics of polymer nanocomposites reinforced with silicon carbide nanosheets: New design for diving board in sport field

This study employs a multiscale finite element (FE) framework to investigate the vibrational behavior of silicon carbide nanosheet-reinforced polymer nanocomposites with specific application to next-generation diving board design in sports fields. The model integrates beam elements for covalent Si–C bonds and Lennard-Jones-based spring elements for van der Waals interactions at the nanosheet–matrix interface, and it is validated against experimental data with a 3.48% error in elastic modulus prediction. Parametric analyses examine the effects of nanosheet geometry (length-to-width ratio, width), chirality (zigzag vs armchair), volume fraction, and boundary conditions on natural frequencies. Results indicate that narrower nanosheets (20 Å) and moderate reinforcement levels (8% volume fraction) optimize dynamic stiffness, while excessive filler content (11%) may reduce performance due to interfacial stress or agglomeration. Clamped–clamped boundary conditions yield significantly higher natural frequencies than clamped–free constraints, with higher-order modes showing greater sensitivity to geometric variations. These findings provide critical insights for designing high-performance nanocomposites in nanoelectromechanical systems, advanced structural applications, and next-generation sports equipment, particularly diving boards in competitive sports fields. The optimal configuration (20 Å width, 8% volume fraction, zigzag orientation) offers a lightweight yet highly rigid structure capable of withstanding dynamic loads and repeated impact cycles while providing superior energy return—essential characteristics for elite-level diving performance.