Natural Frequency Response of FG-CNT Coupled Curved Beams in Thermal Conditions

Abstract

This study investigates the sensitivity of dynamic properties in coupled curved beams reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to thermal variations. Temperature-dependent (TD) mechanical properties are considered for poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) to be strengthened with single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs), employing the basic rule of mixture to define the equivalent mechanical properties of nanocomposites. The governing equations of motion are derived using a first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and Hamilton’s principle, accounting for elastic interfaces modeled using elastic springs. A meshfree solution method based on a generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) approach is employed to discretize the eigenvalue problem and to obtain the frequency response of the structure. The proposed numerical procedure’s accuracy is verified against predictions in the literature for homogeneous structural cases under a fixed environmental temperature. The systematic investigation assesses the impact of various geometric and material properties, including curvature, boundary conditions, interfacial stiffness, and CNT distribution patterns, on the vibrational behavior.