Nonlinear Free and Forced Vibration Analysis of FG-CNTRC Annular Sector Plates

This article deals with the large amplitude free and forced vibration analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) annular sector plates based on a numerical approach. The modified rule of mixture is used to estimate the material properties. The equations of motion are developed based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and the von Karman geometric nonlinearity. First, the discretized form of energy functional of structure is given with the aid of variational differential quadrature method. Then, a time periodic discretization is performed and the frequency response of the nanocomposite plate is determined using the pseudo-arc length continuation method. After verifying the correctness of the proposed approach, a comprehensive parametric study is presented to investigate the effects of important factors on the nonlinear vibration characteristics of the FG-CNTRC annular sector plates. The results imply that the volume fraction and distribution type of nanotubes have considerable effects on the fundamental frequency as well as nonlinear frequency response curves. (C) 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers