Free Vibration Analyses of Stiffened Functionally Graded Graphene-Reinforced Composite Multilayer Cylindrical Panel

Abstract

In this paper, the free vibration response of a stiffened functionally graded graphene nanoplatelet (GPL)-reinforced composite multilayer cylindrical shell panel is studied for the first time. The shell is stiffened by both stringers and rings. Additionally, the effect of reinforcing the shell panel, ring and stinger with GPLs is independently studied. Halpin–Tsai relations are employed to evaluate the mechanical properties of the shell panel, rings and stringers. The first-order shear deformation shell theory, accompanied by the Lekhnitsky smeared stiffener model, using the numerical finite element method and Hamilton principle, is employed to develop the governing motion equations of the shell panel. Four different types of GPL patterns, including FG-A, FG-X, FG-O and UD, are assumed across the thickness of the shell panel, rings and stringers. The effects of different factors, including various weight fractions and patterns of GPLs nanofillers, the geometry of the shell panel and stiffeners and two displacement boundary conditions, on the natural frequencies of the shell panel, have been studied.