Optimization of CNT/polymer/fiber laminated truncated conical panels for maximum fundamental frequency and minimum cost

This paper is presented to study the free vibration analysis and optimization of CNT/polymer/fiber laminated truncated conical panels. Each layer of the panel is composed of a polymeric matrix reinforced with oriented fibers along with uniformly distributed and randomly oriented agglomerated carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The panel is modeled based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and the effective mechanical properties are estimated using the Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka approach, Hahn's homogenization method, and the rule of mixture. The governing equations are derived utilizing Hamilton's principle and are solved numerically via the differential quadrature method (DQM). An optimization problem is provided via particle swarm optimization (PSO) and the optimum orientations of the fibers and best values of weight fractions of the CNTs and fibers are found to increase the fundamental frequency and reduce the relative cost of such structure. It is concluded that the optimum design of the panel is strongly affected by the chirality of the CNTs and the boundary conditions.