Free vibration analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced double plates

The specific objective of this study is to analyze the dynamics of functionally graded carbon nanotubes (FGCNT) reinforced double plates. Connected via an elastic layer, the plates have simply supported boundary conditions. In the current study, three carbon nanotubes functionally graded patterns, varying in the thickness direction are considered, including uniformly distributed, functionally graded O-pattern, and functionally graded X-pattern. Following the development of the coupled equations of motion using the Hamilton principle while considering the influences of the elastic layer, the equations are subsequently solved utilizing a two-spatial-variable modal decomposition method. For verification purposes, the equations developed are compared to simplified configurations provided in the existing studies. The solution methodology is verified through comparing against numerical results of simplified configurations of plates obtained from the development of the finite element method and existing studies. Both verifications have shown very good agreement. Influences of plates’ dimensions, carbon nanotubes reinforcement, and the stiffness of elastic layer are analyzed and provided in this study. The transverse-motion natural frequencies of the double plates are also identified, and they follow a decreasing trend as the aspect ratio increases for all the cases. The fundamental lateral-motion and axial-motion natural frequency also follows a similar trend as the aspect ratio increases. The reinforcement effect of carbon nanotubes on the transverse-motion natural frequencies is less obvious for thinner plates. An increase in the elastic layer stiffness increases the second series transverse-motion natural frequencies of the double-plate system. Among the considered functionally graded patterns, the functionally graded X-pattern reinforcement provides the largest increase in the transverse-motion natural frequencies.