Dynamic results of GNPRC sandwich shells

Abstract

This paper investigates dynamic characteristics of a graphene nanoplatelets reinforced composite (GNPRC) sandwich doubly curved shell based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and Hamilton's principle. The sandwich doubly curved shell is fabricated from a core made of honeycomb materials sandwiched by composite GNPs reinforced facesheets. Effective materials properties of composite face-sheets are assumed to vary based on Halpin-Tsai micromechanical models and rule of mixture. Furthermore, the material properties of honeycomb core are estimated using Gibson's formula. The fundamental frequencies of the shell are computed with changes of main geometrical and material properties such as amount and distribution type of graphene nanoplatelets, side length ratio, thickness to length ratio of and side length ratio of honeycomb. The Navier's technique is presented to obtain responses. Accuracy and trueness of the present model and analytical solution is confirmed through comparison of the results with available results in literature. It is concluded that an increase in thickness to length ratio yields a softer core with lower natural frequencies. Furthermore, increase in height to length ratio leads to significant decrease in natural frequencies.