Elasticity Solution of Free Vibration and Bending Behavior of Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composite Beam with Thin Piezoelectric Layers Using Differential Quadrature Method

Based on the theory of elasticity, bending and free vibrational analyses of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beam embedded in piezoelectric layers are carried out, using the state-space differential quadrature method (DQM). Applying the DQM to the governing differential equations and boundary conditions along the longitudinal directions, new state equations about state variables at discrete points are derived. By using the state-space technique across the thickness direction, semi- analytical closed form solutions are derived. The method is validated by comparing numerical results for beams without piezoelectric layers. Both the direct and the inverse piezoelectric effects are investigated and the influence of piezoelectric layers on the mechanical behavior of beam is studied. Furthermore, the effects of CNT volume fraction, kind of CNT distribution, length to thickness ratio and edge boundary conditions on the mechanical behavior of the beams are examined.