Mahmood Heshmati - Mech. Eng. Department, Razi University, Kermanshah / Iran
Mohammad Hossein Yas - Mech. Eng. Department, Razi University, Kermanshah

This work deals with a study of the vibrational properties of functionally graded nanocomposite beams reinforced by randomly oriented straight single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The Eshelby–Mori– Tanaka approach based on an equivalent fiber is used to investigate the material properties of the beam. An embedded carbon nanotube in a polymer matrix and it s surrounding inter-phase is replaced with an equivalent fiber for predict ing the mechanical properties of the carbon nanotube/polymer composite. The system of equations of motion is derived by using Hamilton’s principle under the assumptions of the Timoshenko beam theory. The finite element method is employed to discretize the model and obtain a numerical approximation of the motion equation. Numerical results are presented in both tabular and graphical forms to figure out the effects of various material d istributions, shear deformation and boundary conditions on the dynamic characteristics of the beam. The results showthat the above mentioned effects play very important role on the free vibration of the beam.

Carbon nanotubes, FG beam, Mori–Tanaka approach, Finite element