Published: 15 August 2018

Free vibration of functionally graded SWNT reinforced aluminum alloy beam

Abdellatif Selmi1
Awni Bisharat2
1Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, College of Engineering, Civil Engineering Department, B.P. 655, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
1Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Tunis (ENIT), Civil Engineering Laboratory, B.P. 37, Le belvédère 1002, Tunis, Tunisia
2Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department, B.P. 655, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
Corresponding Author:
Abdellatif Selmi
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Abstract

Aluminum alloy (Al-alloy) reinforced with Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT), which represents an important industrial application, is studied. Different beam theories (BT) are applied to investigate functionally graded (FG) beams made of Al-alloy reinforced with randomly oriented, straight and long SWNT. The Rayleigh-Ritz method is used to estimate the beam frequencies. First, the Mori-Tanak (M-T) homogenization technique is used to predict the effective material properties of the beams. Second, results from BT are verified against finite element (FE) simulations. Next, a parametric study is carried out in order to investigate the influence of SWNT volume fractions, SWNT distributions and beam edge-to-thickness ratios on the vibration behavior of the FG beam. Results demonstrate the important effect of the studied parameters on the dynamic behavior of the FG SWNT reinforced Al-alloy composite beams.

1. Introduction

SWNT are an important variety of carbon nanotubes. SWNT possesses exceptional mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. The application of the concept of FGM to SWNT composites has led to design different components satisfying particular properties [1]. FG SWNT reinforced composites are a new composite material having different applications in aerospace, defense, energy, automobile, medicine, structural and chemical industry [2]. The efficiency of SWNT as reinforcement can be attributed to the load transfer mechanism from matrix to SWNT at nanoscale. Interfacial bonding in the interphase region between embedded SWNT and its surrounding polymer is a key factor for the load transfer and reinforcement phenomena [3].

Al-alloys are broadly used in diverse applications like aerospace, automotive as well as chemical industries due to its distinct properties as compared to other metals [4]. Because of the extraordinary physical and chemical properties of SWNT, reinforcement of Al-alloys with this type of material leads to huge changes in its properties like greater strength, improved stiffness, reduced density, improved high temperature properties, improved abrasion and wear resistance [5, 6].

Most of the studies in SWNT reinforced composites are concentrated on the effect of the reinforcement volume fraction on the mechanical properties [7, 8] but research on vibration analysis of FG SWNT reinforced composite structures is limited to a few published articles. In the following, some of the recent published works on the dynamic characteristics of FG SWNT reinforced composite beams.

Heshmati and Yas [9] investigated the improvement of the fundamental natural frequency of FG SWNT reinforced polymer composite beam. The governing equations are found using the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. The effect of SWNT agglomeration, distribution and boundary conditions on the dynamic behavior of the beam is found to be very important. The work carried out recently by Shenas et al. [10] presented the free vibration behavior of the pre-twisted FG SWNT reinforced composite beams in thermal environment. The third-order shear deformation beam theory is used to obtain the governing equations. The Chebyshev-Ritz method is used to determine the free vibration eigenvalue equations. The FG beam is found to be sensitive to the pre-twist angle and to the temperature. The free vibration of nanocomposite Timoshenko FG beams reinforced with SWNT resting on an elastic foundation is studied by Yas and Samadi [11]. The SWNT are assumed to be aligned and straight with a uniform layout. The rule of mixture is used to describe the effective material properties of the nanocomposite beams. The governing equations are derived through Hamilton's principle and then solved by using the generalized differential quadrature method. Effects of SWNT volume fraction, foundation stiffness parameters, slenderness ratios, SWNT distribution and boundary conditions on natural frequency are estimated. Ke et al. [12] investigated the nonlinear vibration of aligned straight SWNT FG beams based on Timoshenko beam theory and von Karman geometric nonlinearity. The effect of the vibration amplitude, volume fraction of SWNT, ratio of length to thickness, boundary conditions and SWNT distribution were taken into account to characterize the nonlinear vibration of the beams. In light of von Karman geometric nonlinearity assumptions and the first-order shear deformation beam theory, Wu et al. [13] studied the nonlinear vibration of FG SWNT reinforced composite beams with initial imperfection. The Ritz method is applied to derive the nonlinear eigen frequency. Ansari et al. [14] dealt with the nonlinear vibration behavior of nanocomposite beams reinforced with SWNT based on the Timoshenko beam theory along with von Karman geometric nonlinearity. Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) is considered as the matrix. The vibration of cantilever FG SWNT beam subjected to compressive axial force is studied by Nejati et al. [15]. The two-dimensional elasticity theory and Hamilton’s principle are used to determine the stability and motion equations. These equations are discretized using the generalized differential quadrature method. The influence of graded agglomerated SWNT, and the effect of axial forces exerted on the natural frequencies of FG beam are investigated. Yas and Heshmati [16] worked on dynamics of FG nanocomposite beams reinforced with randomly oriented SWNT. The dynamic characteristics of the FG beam are predicted using Timoshenko and Euler-Bernoulli beam theories. It is found that under the action of moving load, FG SWNT beam with symmetrical distribution gives superior properties than that of unsymmetrical distribution.

To the author’s knowledge, the free vibration of FG SWNT reinforced Al-alloy composite beams, which represent an important industrial application, has not been investigated.

In a variety of dynamic problems, exact solutions may not be obtained, and one has to employ approximate methods. The Rayleigh-Ritz method is an approximate numerical method used extensively in several research sectors, but especially in the analysis of structural members [17]. The method can be used for both continuous and discrete systems. It is based on a linear expansion of the solution in terms of admissible functions [18]. In vibration problems, the frequencies are deduced from a quotient with potential energy being the numerator and kinetic energy function being the denominator. This quotient is called the Rayleigh quotient. The expansion coefficients are obtained using the principle of minimum potential energy [18].

Based on the classical beam theory (CBT), the Timoshenko beam theory (TBT) and the parabolic shear deformation beam theory (PSDBT), the present research focuses on the free vibration of FG SWNT reinforced Al-alloy composite beams. The Rayleigh-Ritz method is used to determine the frequencies.

The objective is to study the effects of SWNT volume fraction, SWNT distribution pattern, beam slenderness ratio and the BT on the natural frequencies of FG SWNT reinforced Al-alloy composite beams. To validate the present analysis, comparative studies are carried out with available results from the existing literature and with performed FE simulations.

The paper has the following outline. In Section 2, the homogenized properties of SWNT reinforced Al-alloy composite are determined using the two level (M-T, M-T) scheme. Section 3 details the mathematical modeling on vibration of randomly oriented FG SWNT reinforced Al-alloy composite beams based on the BT and the Rayleigh-Ritz method. Section 4 presents the numerical results of free vibration of FG SWNT reinforced Al-alloy composite beams using the mentioned BT and FE simulations. The validation of obtained results and parametric study are discussed in the same Section 4. Lastly, Section 5 summarizes the results and conclusions.

2. Material properties of FG SWNT reinforced Al-alloy composite beams

2.1. Mechanical properties of Al-alloy, SWNT and SWNT/Al-alloy composites

The Young’s modulus, the Poisson’s ratio and the density of Al-alloy taken in this paper are respectively; E= 70 GPa, ν= 0.33 and ρ= 2700 Kg/m3 [19] while the Young’s modulus and the Poisson's ratio of the homogenized graphene sheet that constitute the SWNT are determined by the author using a homogenization method based on the energy equivalence and have been found to be 2520 GPa and 0.25, respectively [7]. The density of the armchair SWNT with chiral index of (10, 10) is 1330 Kg/m3[20].

A mean field homogenization scheme named two-level (M-T/M-T) is selected to predict the mechanical properties of SWNT/Al-alloy composites.

The two-level procedure was proposed by Friebel et al. [21] for coated inclusion-reinforced materials. The methodology is illustrated on Fig. 1. Each SWNT is seen (deep level) as a two-phase composite (graphene sheet with cavities) which, once homogenized, plays the role of a homogeneous reinforcement for the matrix material (high level). In the first level of the two-level procedure, the graphene matrix containing many small ellipsoidal cavities (having the same shapes and aspect ratios as the actual ones) is homogenized. The homogenization of the matrix material reinforced with homogeneous reinforcement is performed in the second level. In this paper, choosing Mori-Tanaka (M-T) for both levels, the scheme is labeled “two-level (M-T/M-T)”.

Fig. 1Schematic view of the two-level homogenization procedure for the effective properties of SWNT composites. For each level a two-phase homogenization model is required

Schematic view of the two-level homogenization procedure for the effective properties  of SWNT composites. For each level a two-phase homogenization model is required

The rule of mixture is adopted to determine the density of the mentioned composite. The variations of Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio and density, as a function of reinforcement volume fraction, V, of 3D randomly oriented and long SWNT/Al-alloy composites are reported in Table 1.

Interpretation: From Table 1, it is deduced that the reinforcing effect of SWNT is very important and as the SWNT volume fraction in the Al-alloy increases, the Young’s modulus increases rapidly. For an Al-alloy comprising 10 % of SWNT, the Young’s modulus, E, is increased by a factor of 1.4 but the Poisson’s ratio and the density decreases by a factor of 1.06 and 1.05, respectively.

Table 1SWNT/Al-alloy composite with 3D randomly oriented and long reinforcements

V (%)
E (GPa)
Ν
ρ (Kg/m3)
0
70
0.33
2700
1
72.88
0.327
2686.3
3
78.60
0.323
2658.9
5
84.28
0.319
2631.5
10
98.33
0.311
2563

2.2. Properties of FG materials

A straight simply supported FG beam of length L, width b, and thickness h is shown in Fig. 2.

In the present study, the volume fraction of SWNT is assumed to be graded in the thickness direction so that the material properties of the beam vary continuously according to power-law form as shown in Figs. 3, 4.

Fig. 2Beam element with Cartesian coordinates

Beam element with Cartesian coordinates

Fig. 3Variation of Young’s modulus through the thickness direction of the beam

Variation of Young’s modulus through the thickness direction of the beam

Fig. 4Variation of mass density through the thickness direction of the beam

Variation of mass density through the thickness direction of the beam

The considered power-law variation is:

1
P(z)=(Pc-Pa)zh+12k+Pa.

Pa and Pc stand for the values of the material properties of Al-alloy and SWNT/Al-alloy composite, respectively. Therefore, the bottom surface of the beam is Al-alloy, whereas its top surface is SWNT reinforced Al-alloy composite. Hereafter, for the top surface, 5 % and 10 % SWNT volume fractions are considered.

3. Numerical modeling and formulation

Let’s assume the deformation of FG beam in the x-z plane and designate the displacement components in the x and z directions by ux and uz, respectively. Based on the BT, the axial and transverse displacement of any point of the beam are respectively:

2
uxx,z,t=ux,t-zw,xx,t+ϕzvx,t,uzx,t=wx,t,

where u and w denote the axial and the transverse displacement of any point on the neutral axis respectively, while v represents the effect of transverse shear strain on the neutral axis. ϕ(z) stands for the shape function and (x) indicates the partial derivative in terms of x. The present study is concerned with classical beam theory, CBT, Timoshenko beam theory, TBT, and parabolic shear deformation beam theory, PSDBT [22]. ϕ(z) for these BT are given as below [23]:

CBT: ϕz=0,
TBT: ϕz=z,
PSDBT: ϕz=z1-4z23h2.

The strain energy, S, and the kinetic energy, T, of the beam at any moment are given as:

3
S=12-L/2L/2Aσxxεxx+τxzγxzdAdx,
4
T=12-L/2L/2Aρ(z)uxt2+uzt2dAdx,

where A and ρ are the area of cross-section and the mass density of the beam, respectively. σxx, τxz, εxx and γxz denote the normal stress, the shear stress, the normal strain and the shear strain, respectively

Assuming the harmonic displacement components:

5
ux,t=Uxsinωt,vx,t=Vxsinωt,wx,t=Wxsinωt,

where Ux, Vx and Wx are the respective amplitudes of the displacement components and ω is the natural frequency.

The substitution of the expressions of displacement components into Eqs. (3), (4) yields the maximum strain energy, Smax, and the maximum kinetic energy, Tmax as:

6
Smax=12-L2L/2AxxdUdx2-2BxxdUdxd2Wdx2+Dxxd2Wdx2+2ExxdUdxdVdx -2FxxdVdxd2Wdx2+HxxdVdx2+AxzV2dx,
7
Tmax=ω22-L/2L/2IA(U2+W2)-2IBUdWdx+IDdWdt2+2IEUV +2IFVdWdx+IHV2dx,

where:

8
Axx,Bxx,Dxx=AQ111,z,z2dA, Exx,Fxx=AΦzQ111,zdA,Hxx=AΦ(z)2Q11dA, Azx=AΦ'(z)2Q55dA,

and:

9
IA,IB,ID=Aρz1,z,z2dA, IE,IF=AΦzρz1,zdA,IH=AΦz2ρzdA.

The transformed stiffness constants are:

Q11=E(z)1-ν2, Q55=E(z)2(1-ν).

Using the Rayleigh-Ritz method, the amplitudes of vibration can be expanded in terms of polynomial functions by the following series as:

U=i=1nciφi, V=j=1ndjψj, W=k=1nekχk,

where ci, dj and ek are constants to be determined and φi, ψj and χk are known functions that must satisfy the boundary conditions of the problem. These admissible functions can be written as:

φi=fxi-1, i=1,2,,n,ψj=fxj-1, j=1,2,,n,χk=fxk-1, k=1,2,,n.

For simply supported beams: f=x2-(L/2)2 [24].

Consequently, by equating Smax and Tmax, the Rayleigh Quotient ω2 can be deduced. The principle of minimum potential energy implies that the partial derivatives of the Rayleigh Quotient with respect to each of the constants ci, dj, and ek are nul. Accordingly, one can write:

10
ω2ci=0, i=1,2,,n,ω2dj=0, j=1,2,,n,ω2ek=0, k=1,2,,n.

Eq. (10) represents a set of 3n algebric equations in 3n unknowns c1, cn, d1, dn, and e1, en. Its resolution requires considerable computation duration. Eq. (10) is then written in matricial form as:

11
K-λ2MΔ=0,

where [K] and [M] are the dynamic stiffness and inertia matrices, respectively and [Δ] is the vector of unknown coefficients. The frequency parameters for free vibration problem are given by λ. Frequency parameters determined from this eigenvalue problem are investigated in the next section with the mentioned BT. Validation with the existing literature and with FE results are also reported.

4. Numerical results

In this section, the first three frequency parameters for the free vibration of simply supported FG beam are investigated using the above-mentioned beam theories. The effect of the distribution fashion of the SWNT volume fraction throughout the beam thickness, the effect of SWNT content in the beam top surface and the beam slenderness ratio are analyzed. The frequency parameter is expressed as:

12
λ=ωL2hρaEa.

4.1. Convergence and validation of the analysis

4.1.1. Convergence analysis

In Tables 2-4, the convergence behavior of first three frequency parameters of simply supported FG beam with L/h= 5 and 5 % SWNT volume fraction on the beam top surface are reported. The increase in the number n of polynomial items in the admissible functions is checked using CBT, TBT and PSDBT.

Table 2Convergence of first three frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams using CBT for (L/h= 5) and 5 % SWNT content on the beam top surface

CBT
Al-alloy
k= 5
N
λ1
λ2
λ3
λ1
λ2
λ3
2
3.2956
14.3779
16.7497
3.4988
14.7756
17.1114
3
2.9706
14.3779
16.6402
3.0621
14.774
17.0014
4
2.9706
11.3964
16.6401
3.0621
11.7342
16.9624
5
2.9697
11.3964
16.6401
3.0612
11.7342
16.9623
6
2.9697
11.3491
16.6401
3.0612
11.6859
16.9618
7
2.9697
11.3491
16.6401
3.0612
11.6859
16.9618
8
2.9697
11.3491
16.6401
3.0612
11.6857
16.9618
9
2.9697
11.3491
16.6401
3.0612
11.6857
16.9618
10
2.9697
11.3491
16.6401
3.0612
11.6857
16.9618

Table 3Convergence of first three frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams using TBT for (L/h= 5) and 5 % SWNT content on the beam top surface

TBT
Al-alloy
k= 5
n
λ1
λ2
λ3
λ1
λ2
λ3
2
3.2955
13.5286
16.7497
3.3975
14.0428
17.0927
3
2.8384
13.4888
16.6402
2.9449
14.0038
16.9816
4
2.8300
9.5017
16.6402
2.9364
10.0211
16.9529
5
2.8225
9.4253
16.5059
2.9304
9.9397
16.9525
6
2.8216
9.4035
16.3217
2.9295
9.9230
16.9524
7
2.8165
9.3492
16.2094
2.9019
9.6689
16.7125
8
2.8163
9.3433
16.2061
2.9016
9.6467
16.6947
9
2.8163
9.3431
16.2061
2.8999
9.6458
16.6947
10
2.8163
9.3428
16.2060
2.8998
9.6455
16.6948

It is observed that increasing the number of polynomial items, n, improves the accuracy of results and leads to convergent solutions at n= 10. Hence n= 10 is used in the following numerical calculations.

4.1.2. Validation of the analysis

The validation analysis is done through direct comparison with previously published results and with finite element results obtained by using commercial finite element software package ANSYS [25].

4.1.2.1. Comparison with available results

In order to check the above written formulation, the first three frequency parameters of simply supported FG beams are compared with [26] for slenderness ratios (L/h= 20, 50 and 100) and power-law index (k= 0, 0.1 and 0.2). The material properties of steel are E= 210 GPa; ρ= 2700 Kg/m3 and those of Alumina (Al2O3) are E= 390 GPa; ρ= 3960 Kg/m3. Table 5 shows that the results given by the BT are very close to those available in [26].

Table 4Convergence of first three frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams using PSDBT for (L/h= 5) and 5 % SWNT content on the beam top surface

PSDBT
Al-alloy
k= 5
n
λ1
λ2
λ3
λ1
λ2
λ3
2
3.2955
13.5290
16.7497
3.3975
13.8882
17.09
3
2.8392
13.4896
16.5612
2.9222
13.8474
16.9789
4
2.8308
9.5187
16.4352
2.9136
9.7509
16.9519
5
2.8238
9.4449
16.3954
2.9059
9.6756
16.9328
6
2.8230
9.4275
16.3915
2.9051
9.6569
16.7576
7
2.8187
9.4247
16.3895
2.9011
9.6552
16.7579
8
2.8172
9.3961
16.3821
2.9008
9.6546
16.7575
9
2.8169
9.3957
16.3805
2.9005
9.6541
16.7574
10
2.8168
9.3955
16.3802
2.9005
9.6539
16.7574

Table 5First three frequency parameters. A comparison with data after Amal et al. [26]

L/h-k
L/h-k
L/h-k
L/h-k
20-0
50-0
100-0.1
100-0.2
CBT
Ref
CBT
Ref
PSDBT
Ref
TBT
Ref
4.4019
4.3425
4.4038
4.3444
4.2526
4.2838
4.1372
4.2336
8.7903
8.6716
8.8054
8.6866
8.5009
8.5671
8.265
8.4666
13.152
12.975
13.2027
13.025
12.748
12.849
12.3952
12.699

4.1.2.2. Comparison with finite element resulats

As already mentioned, the material properties of the FG beam vary continuously throughout its thickness. The beam bottom surface is made of Al-alloy, whereas the top one is made of SWNT/Al-alloy composite. In order to model the FG beam, the numerical model has been divided into several layers so that the changes in properties can be made. Each layer has the finite portion of the thickness and treated like isotropic material. Material properties of each layer have been calculated at its mid-plane by using the chosen power-law distribution. To study the convergence analysis, various number of layers has been taken; 2, 4, 8 and 10. The FE modeling has been performed using ANSYS (2013). Higher order 3-D, 10-node elements (SOLID187) has been used for modeling of FG beams. SOLID187 has a quadratic displacement behavior. This element has three degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions. To simulate the pin support, the x, y and z bottom edge displacements are constrained while the roller support is free to move in the axial direction. 208797 elements with 292166 nodes are needed. Fig. 5 shows the fundamental mode shape for 10 layers of simply supported FG SWNT reinforced Al-alloy composite beam. The materials used for modeling and analysis of beams are Al-alloy and Al-alloy comprising 10 % of SWNT. Their properties are given in the second and sixth lines of Table 1.

Fig. 5Fundamental mode shape for 10 layers of FG beam

Fundamental mode shape for 10 layers of FG beam

Table 6 reports the fundamental frequency parameters delivered by the FE analysis. Table 7 exposes the comparison between FE results and those obtained using the formulation explained in Section 3.

Interpretation: It can be interpreted that for different power-law distributions, the number of layers has a great influence on the fundamental frequencies of the modeled FG beam. From Table 6, one can consider that the convergence is reached for 10 layers. The FE results gotten for ten layers beams are confronted against those obtained using CBT, TBT and PSDBT. It is found that the present results are very close (see Table 7). The satisfactory results concerning the frequency parameters give confidence in the predictions reported in next sections.

Table 6FE predictions of fundamental frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams with (L/h= 30) and different power-law exponents (k)

N
k= 0
k= 0.4
k= 1
k= 2
k= 5
k= 10
Al-alloy
2
3.4668
3.3045
3.1576
3.0405
2.9247
2.8680
2.8500
4
3.4668
3.2825
3.1509
3.0686
2.9839
2.9184
2.8500
8
3.4668
3.2727
3.1496
3.0781
3.0057
2.9499
2.8500
10
3.4668
3.2718
3.1496
3.0795
3.0084
2.9546
2.8500

Table 7Comparison of fundamental frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams with FE results for different power-law exponents and slenderness ratio L/h=30

Theory
k= 0
k= 0.4
k= 1
k= 2
k= 5
k= 10
Al-alloy
CBT
3.6698
3.4645
3.3477
3.2764
3.1982
3.1406
3.0168
TBT
3.6642
3.4593
3.3426
3.2713
3.1931
3.1355
2.9726
PSDBT
3.6642
3.4593
3.3426
3.2713
3.1930
3.1355
2.9726
FE
3.4668
3.2718
3.1496
3.0795
3.0084
2.9546
2.8500

4.2. Parametric study

A parametric study is carried out with CBT, TBT and PSDBT theories in order to predict the frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT reinforced Al-alloy composite beams. In this parametric investigation, various values of SWNT volume fractions, power-law index and slenderness ratios of the beams are taken into consideration.

Tables 8 and 9 show the fundamental frequency parameters of FG SWNT/Al-alloy composite beams for slenderness ratios L/h= 5 and 30, respectively and for different power-law exponents (k). The SWNT volume fraction incorporated in Al-alloy varies from 0 % on the bottom to 5 % on the beam top surface.

Tables 10 and 11 show the fundamental frequencies of FG SWNT/Al-alloy composite beams for slenderness ratios L/h= 5 and 30, respectively and for different power-law exponents (k). The SWNT volume fraction incorporated in Al-alloy varies from 0 % on the bottom to 10 % on the beam top surface.

Table 8Fundamental frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams with (L/h= 5) for 5 % SWNT content on the beam top surface

Theory
k= 0
k= 0.4
k= 1
k= 2
k= 5
k= 10
Al-alloy
CBT
3.3007
3.1954
3.1366
3.1009
3.0612
3.0319
2.9697
TBT
3.1305
3.0317
2.9748
2.9390
2.8998
2.8725
2.8163
PSDBT
3.1327
3.0344
2.9771
2.9403
2.9005
2.8736
2.8168

Table 9Fundamental frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams with (L/h= 30) for 5 % SWNT content on the beam top surface

Theory
k= 0
k= 0.4
k= 1
k= 2
k= 5
k= 10
Al-alloy
CBT
3.353
3.2461
3.1864
3.1499
3.1096
3.0798
3.0168
TBT
3.3478
3.2412
3.1814
3.1450
3.1046
3.0121
2.9726
PSDBT
3.3478
3.2412
3.1814
3.1449
3.1046
3.0121
2.9726

From Tables 8-11, it may be noted that for different power-law exponents and various SWNT contents, the three BT predict almost the same fundamental frequency parameters for L/h= 30 but for L/h= 5, predictions given by CBT are comparatively greater than that given by both TBT and PSDBT. As can be expected, for thick beams, effect of shear deformation becomes more significant and affects the results greatly. Thus, TBT and PSDBT are more efficient for thicker beams.

Table 10Fundamental frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams with (L/h= 5) for 10 % SWNT content on the beam top surface

Theory
k= 0
k= 0.4
k= 1
k= 2
k= 5
k= 10
Al-alloy
CBT
3.6125
3.4103
3.2955
3.2254
3.1486
3.0918
2.9697
TBT
3.4262
3.2366
3.1255
3.0555
2.9795
2.9263
2.8136
PSDBT
3.4289
3.2398
3.1279
3.0560
2.9784
2.9263
2.8168

Table 11Fundamental frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams with (L/h= 30) for 10 % SWNT content on the beam top surface

Theory
k= 0
k= 0.4
k= 1
k= 2
k= 5
k= 10
Al-alloy
CBT
3.6698
3.4645
3.3477
3.2764
3.1982
3.1406
3.0168
TBT
3.6642
3.4593
3.3426
3.2713
3.1931
3.1355
2.9726
PSDBT
3.6642
3.4593
3.3426
3.2713
3.1930
3.1355
2.9726

It is seen that for different SWNT volume fractions, the fundamental frequency parameter is decreasing with increasing k. It is illustrated that the variation in the low values of power exponent is more effective on the fundamental frequency parameter than the variation in high values of power exponent. The change in frequency parameter with respect to slenderness ratio is detrimental. The variation in fundamental frequency parameter is relatively high for higher slenderness ratio.

It can be observed that for a constant power exponent and a constant slenderness ratio, an increase in SWNT content on the beam top surface causes the increase in fundamental frequencies. This augmentation becomes more important for high slenderness ratio.

It is clearly shown that reinforcing Al-alloy with randomly oriented SWNT does not only improve the material properties of Al-alloy but also increase the fundamental frequency parameters. For 0.4 power-law exponent, compared to simply supported Al-alloy beam, the continuous variation of SWNT volume fraction to reach 5 % on the beam top surface increases the fundamental frequency parameter to 7.2. This improvement increases with both SWNT volume fraction and slenderness ratio.

Tables 12 and 13 present the first three frequency parameters of FG SWNT/Al-alloy composite beams for slenderness ratios L/h= 5 and 30, respectively and for different power-law exponents. The SWNT volume fraction incorporated in Al-alloy varies from 0 % on the bottom to 5 % on the beam top surface.

Tables 14 and 15 present the first three frequency parameters of FG SWNT/Al-alloy composite beams for slenderness ratios L/h= 5 and 30, respectively and for different power-law exponents. The SWNT volume fraction incorporated in Al-alloy varies from 0 % on the bottom to 10 % on the beam top surface.

Tables 16 and 17 summarize the first three frequency parameters of FG SWNT/Al-alloy composite beams considering 0.4 power-law exponent and two slenderness ratios L/h=5 and 30. For the top surface, 5 % and 10 % SWNT volume fractions are taken into account.

Table 12First three frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams with (L/h= 5) for 5 % SWNT content on the beam top surface

Theory
λ
k= 0
k= 0.4
k= 1
k= 2
k= 5
k= 10
Al-alloy
CBT
λ1
3.3007
3.1954
3.1366
3.1009
3.0612
3.0319
2.9697
λ2
12.614
12.1989
11.9612
11.824
11.6857
11.582
11.3491
λ3
18.4948
17.9791
17.5889
17.2794
16.9618
16.8153
16.6401
TBT
λ1
3.1305
3.0317
2.9748
2.939
2.8998
2.8725
2.8163
λ2
10.4479
10.1178
9.9131
9.7804
9.6455
9.5613
9.3428
λ3
18.2282
17.5708
17.202
16.9484
16.6948
16.5544
16.2060
PSDBT
λ1
3.1327
3.0344
2.9771
2.9403
2.9005
2.8736
2.8168
λ2
10.444
10.1489
9.3009
9.7963
9.6539
9.5747
9.3955
λ3
18.2597
17.7054
17.3196
17.0344
16.7574
16.6318
16.3802

Table 13First three frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams with (L/h= 30) for 5 % SWNT content on the beam top surface

Theory
λ
k= 0
k= 0.4
k= 1
k= 2
k= 5
k= 10
Al-alloy
CBT
λ1
3.353
3.2461
3.1864
3.1499
3.1096
3.0798
3.0168
λ2
13.3939
12.9596
12.713
12.567
12.4132
12.2991
12.0507
λ3
30.0753
29.1018
28.5499
28.2223
27.8752
27.6179
27.0593
TBT
λ1
3.3478
3.2412
3.1814
3.145
3.1046
3.0121
2.9726
λ2
13.312
12.8811
12.6355
12.4894
12.3357
12.2224
11.8202
λ3
29.6658
28.7089
28.1621
27.8343
27.4875
27.2344
26.3414
PSDBT
λ1
3.3478
3.2412
3.1814
3.1449
3.1046
3.0121
2.9726
λ2
13.312
12.8814
12.6356
12.489
12.3348
11.9771
11.8202
λ3
29.666
28.7103
28.1622
27.8321
27.4835
26.6912
26.3414

Table 14First three frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams with (L/h= 5) for 10 % SWNT content on the beam top surface

Theory
λ
k= 0
k= 0.4
k= 1
k= 2
k= 5
k= 10
Al-alloy
CBT
λ1
3.6125
3.4103
3.2955
3.2254
3.1486
3.0918
2.9697
λ2
13.8058
12.9904
12.505
12.231
11.9811
11.7951
11.3491
λ3
20.2422
19.2589
18.5128
17.9138
17.2861
16.9914
16.6401
TBT
λ1
3.4262
3.2366
3.1255
3.0555
2.9795
2.9263
2.8136
λ2
11.435
10.7922
10.3847
10.1237
9.8692
9.7117
9.3428
λ3
19.8507
18.7512
18.0276
17.5329
17.0461
16.7779
16.206
PSDBT
λ1
3.4289
3.2398
3.1279
3.056
2.9784
2.9263
2.8168
λ2
11.4648
10.8288
10.4117
10.1311
9.8605
9.713
9.3955
λ3
19.9862
18.9062
18.1507
17.5943
17.0578
19.8185
16.3802

Table 15First three frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams with (L/h= 30) for 10 % SWNT content on the beam top surface

Theory
λ
k= 0
k= 0.4
k= 1
k= 2
k= 5
k= 10
Al-alloy
CBT
λ1
3.6698
3.4645
3.3477
3.2764
3.1982
3.1406
3.0168
λ2
14.6593
13.8149
13.3206
13.0321
12.7448
12.5322
12.0507
λ3
32.9168
31.0264
29.9232
29.2765
28.6256
28.1438
27.0593
TBT
λ1
3.6642
3.4593
3.3426
3.2713
3.1931
3.1355
2.9726
λ2
14.5697
13.6704
13.24
12.9515
12.664
12.4527
11.8202
λ3
32.4687
30.6109
29.5193
28.8724
28.2207
27.7461
26.3414
PSDBT
λ1
3.6642
3.4593
3.3426
3.2713
3.193
3.1355
2.9726
λ2
14.5698
13.7324
13.2401
12.9505
12.6621
12.4515
11.8202
λ3
32.469
30.6134
29.5196
28.8679
28.2121
27.7401
26.3414

Table 16First three frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams with k= 0.4 for 5 % SWNT content on the beam top surface

Theory
L/h
λ1
λ2
λ3
CBT
5
3.4103
12.9904
19.2589
30
3.4645
13.8149
31.0264
TBT
5
3.2366
10.7922
18.7512
30
3.4593
13.6704
30.6109
PSDBT
5
3.2398
10.8288
18.9062
30
3.4593
13.7324
30.6134

Table 17First three frequency parameters of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beams with k= 0.4 for 10 % SWNT content on the beam top surface

Theory
L/h
λ1
λ2
λ3
CBT
5
3.1096
12.4132
27.8752
30
3.1096
12.4132
27.8752
TBT
5
2.8998
9.6455
16.6948
30
3.1046
12.3357
27.4875
PSDBT
5
2.9005
9.6539
16.7574
30
3.1046
12.3348
27.4835

Same remarks and conclusions, deduced from Tables 8-11, concerning the effect of different variables (SWNT distribution, SWNT volume fraction and slenderness ratio) on the fundamental frequency parameters can be noted from Tables 12-17 for the three first frequency parameters. The frequency parameters are increasing with increase in slenderness ratios (L/h) and are decreasing with increase in power-law exponents (k). It is also seen that for L/h= 5, the results for FG beam using CBT are comparatively greater than those found using other BT, where as for L/h= 30, one may experience mere coincidence of frequency parameters. This due to the deficiency in Euler beam theory for consideration the shear effect, which affects significant on the frequencies especially for the short beam. Moreover, it is very important to see that the variable parameters have more influence on the second and third frequency parameters than that on the fundamental frequency parameter. For 0.4 power-law exponent, compared to simply supported Al-alloy beam, the continuous variation of the SWNT volume fraction to reach 10 % on the beam top surface increases the frequency parameters to at least 13.5. This improvement increases with both the SWNT volume fraction and the slenderness ratio.

5. Conclusions

The free vibration of simply supported FG SWNT/Al-alloy beam was investigated based on various BT using the Rayleigh-Ritz method. This helps fill in a gap in the literature where the available mechanical results about SWNT reinforced Al-alloy composites did not concern the free vibration. The Rayleigh-Ritz method is found to be efficient when compared to FE simulations. The objective of improving the dynamic characteristics of Al-alloy in order to prevent problems such as failures associated with resonance and fatigue is achieved by reinforcing with functionally graded SWNT. Reinforcement with SWNT allows a significant increase of the Al-alloy dynamic properties without compromising other factors such as mass of the structure. The improvement of the natural frequencies of beams made of AL-alloy was attained by increasing the amount of the reinforcement, increasing the slenderness ratio and decreasing the power-law exponent.

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About this article

Received
21 November 2017
Accepted
20 April 2018
Published
15 August 2018
SUBJECTS
Modal analysis and applications
Keywords
aluminum alloy
SWNT
functionally graded beam
free vibration