Dynamic analysis of functionally graded multi-walled carbon nanotube-polystyrene nanocomposite beams subjected to multi-moving loads

The dynamic response of functionally graded multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-polystyrene nanocomposite beams subjected to multi-moving loads is investigated based on Timoshenko beam theory. The effects of uniform, linear symmetric and unsymmetric MWCNT distributions through the thickness direction on dynamic behavior are studied. The finite element method is employed to discretize the model and obtain a numerical approximation of the motion equation. Newmark's explicit integration technique is adopted for the transient analysis. The effects of material distribution, velocity and number of moving loads as well as distance between moving loads on the dynamic behavior of nanocomposite beams are presented. The numerical results show that above mentioned parameters have significant effects on the dynamic behavior of nanocomposite beams under the action of multi-moving loads. Key observation points are discussed and a brief design guideline is given. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.