Dispersion spectrum in a functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced plate based on first-order shear deformation plate theory

This paper investigates the dispersion behavior of the guide waves in a functionally graded nanocomposite plate reinforced with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) based on the first-order shear deformation plate theory (FSDPT). The governing equations of motion are expressed in the state space formulation and are then solved by employing the reverberation-ray matrix method. Unlike the traditional state space method, the present approach is unconditionally stable due to the introduction of a dual system of local coordinates in the plate. The present analysis is validated through direct comparisons with the existing results, and a parametric study is conducted to show the influences of the volume fraction and distribution model of the SWCNT reinforcement, plate aspect ratio, and boundary condition on the dispersion behavior of the plate. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.