Free Vibration Analysis of a Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composite Beam

In this study, free vibration responses of a carbon nanotube reinforced composite beam are investigated. The governing differential equations of motion of a carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced composite beam are presented in finite element formulation. The validity of the developed formulation is demonstrated by comparing the natural frequencies evaluated using present FEM with those of available literature. Various parametric studies are also performed to investigate the effect of aspect ratio and percentage of CNT content and boundary conditions on natural frequencies and mode shapes of a carbon nanotube reinforced composite beam. It is shown that the addition of carbon nanotube in fiber reinforced composite beam increases the stiffness of the structure and consequently increases the natural frequencies and alter the mode shapes.