Comparison of linear and nonlinear distribution patterns of CNTs in isotropic plates

This paper investigates the effect of different methods of carbon nanotubes distribution in a thin to moderately thick plate matrix on static and dynamic behavior of the nanocomposite. Five different symmetric patterns of distribution are considered, including four parabolic patterns and a linear one. For each pattern, the effective mechanical properties of the resultant nanocomposite are calculated using the rule of mixture. The simulations are carried out for three different volume fractions of carbon nanotubes and width to thickness ratios under fully clamped boundary condition for static and modal analysis. In addition the influence of mentioned parameters on static and free vibration responses of the nanocomposite plate are studied. Finite element modeling is created using Abaqus/CAE. The resulting responses for linear distribution of nanotubes are compared to a past work and good agreement is observed between them. The finite element calculations showed that in all different cases of width to thickness ratios and volume fractions, the value of nondimensional static deflection of the mid-point of plate under a uniformly distributed load is minimum in the linear distribution pattern of carbon nanotubes case and will increase by changing the pattern to a parabola. This fact is vice versa about modal analysis. Linear distribution pattern of carbon nanotubes results in higher natural frequencies in comparison with the parabolic distributions of carbon nanotubes.

Comparison of linear and nonlinear distribution patterns of CNTs in isotropic plates Keywords:

Carbon nanotube , Composite plate , Vibration , Finite element method , Functionally graded