LINEAR FREE VIBRATIONS OF FG-

CNTRC H-H BEAMS USING SLENDER

BEAM THEORY
KRISHNA CHAITANYA VULCHI
1

1
PG Student, Department of ME, PVP Siddhartha Institute of Technology,
Vijayawada, AP, krrish.309@gmail.com
RAJ ASEKHAR J AGATHANI
2

2
Associate Professor, Department of ME, GVIT, Bhimavaram, AP, rajasekharjv@gmail.com
K. I. VISHNU VANDANA
3

3
Assistant Professor, Department of ME, PVP Siddhartha Institute of Technology,
Vijayawada, AP, vandanakodey@yahoo.co.in
ABSTRACT:
This thesis investigates the linear free vibrations of functionally graded Carbon Nano-tube reinforced Composite
(FG-CNTRC) beams using Slender (Euler-Bernoullis) beam theory. The material properties of FG-CNTRCs
are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction and estimated through the rule of mixture. The Ritz method
is employed to derive the governing Eigen value equation which is then solved by a direct iterative method to
obtain the linear frequencies of FG-CNTRC beams with H-H Supports. A detailed parametric study is
conducted to study the influences of Nanotube volume fraction, vibration amplitude, and slenderness ratio on
the linear free vibration characteristics of FG-CNTRC beams.
Keywords: Nano composites, Functionally Graded Materials, Euler-Bernoulli, Ritz Method, free vibrations,
Reinforced Composites.
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Carbon Nanotubes: Until the mid-1980s pure solid carbon was thought to exist in only two physical
forms, diamond and graphite. Diamond and graphite have different physical structures and properties however
their atoms are both arranged in covalently bonded networks. These two different physical forms of carbon
atoms are called allotropes [1].

1.2 Discovery of Carbon Nanotubes:
The unique geometric properties of this new allotrope of carbon did not end with soccer shaped molecules, it
was also discovered that carbon atoms can form long cylindrical tubes. These tubes were originally called
Bucky tubes but now are better known as carbon Nanotubes or CNT for short. These molecules are shaped
like a tube; imagine a sheet of graphite ("graphene sheet") or chicken wire rolled into a tube. Carbon Nanotubes
have unique physical and chemical properties that chemists are trying to better understand through laboratory
research. One of the physical properties of carbon Nanotubes is that its possible to make them only a single
atomic layer thick. This means that they can be about 1/50,000th the thickness of a human hair. Because of the
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bonding characteristics of carbon atoms, the physical appearance of carbon Nanotubes can often resemble rolled
up chicken wire (see pictures above and below). One of the interesting physical properties about carbon
Nanotubes is that when you have two of them which have slightly different physical structures and they are
joined together, the junction (gap or small space) between them can function as an electronic device.
1.3 Single Wall & Multi Wall Carbon Nanotubes:
Hypothetically one can visualize the formation of single wall carbon Nanotube through rolling single
graphene sheet into a cylinder. For multiwall Nanotubes bi-layer graphene sheet will be the starting
material.

A single wall carbon Nanotube is technically defined as a cylinder made up of rolled up sheet of graphene as
described artistically in the above Figure. However, rolling up graphene is not the actually way a Nanotube
forms. The diameter of carbon Nanotubes typically vary from 0.7-3nm. Due to such small diameters, Nanotubes
become quasi one dimensional. They can possess a single shell or multiple shells, as depicted in Fig 1.4. Tubes
with single shell are called single wall carbon Nanotubes (SWNT) while once with more than one shell are
multiwall carbon Nanotubes (MWNT). The length of Nanotubes can be up to centimeters, giving them an
astonishing length/diameter ratio of 10
7
[1]. One useful application of SWNTs is in the development of the first
intermolecular field effect transistors. The first intermolecular logic gate using SWCNT FETs was made in
2001. A logic gate requires both a p-FET and an n-FET. Because SWNTs are p-FETs when exposed to oxygen
and n-FETs otherwise, it is possible to protect half of an SWNT from oxygen exposure, while exposing the
other half to oxygen. This results in a single SWNT that acts as a NOT logic gate with both p and n-type FETs
within the same molecule.
1.4 Functionally Graded Materials [15]
1.4.1 Definition of FGM:
A Functionally Graded Material or FGM is a two-component composite characterized by a compositional
gradient from one component to other. FGMs can be natural or they can be manufactured using various
techniques like particulate processing, preform processing, layer processing, melt processing, etc. The materials
can be designed for specific functions and applications.
1.4.2 Manufacturing Techniques [15]:
The concept of thin surface layers is closely related to functionally graded materials. In fact, all surface
treatments and coatings aimed to increase wear and fracture resistance induce gradual or stepwise transition to
bulk properties. Well established techniques such as shot-peening, laser treatment, ion implantation, have been
developed and extended to generate Nano-crystalline surface coatings with grain sizes of order of few tens of
nanometers. New techniques include thermal spray, electro-deposition, electro-phoretic deposition, chemical
(CVD) and physical vapour deposition (PVD), ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD), etc. The surface layer can
be created with grain sizes varying smoothly from the surface to the bulk. Also the gradients in porosity and
density can be controlled to increase the damage resistance and reduce stress intensity factors at crack tips.
Recent experimental and theoretical works demonstrated that controlling gradients in thermal and mechanical
properties provides a new potential for design of surfaces and interfaces with higher resistance to cracking and
wear subjected to mechanical surface loading and thermal gradients. The diverse applications include load-
bearing engineering structures, protective coatings, bio-implants, and magnetic storage media.
2. Micro Mechanics:
When viewed on the scale of the fiber dimensions, composites have the advantage of high stiffness and high
strength fibers [18]. They usually low fracture toughness of the fiber is enhanced by the energy dissipation at the
fiber/matrix interface and matrix ductility. The stress transfer capability of the matrix enables the development
of multiplesite failure mechanisms. On the other hand, the fibers exhibit a relatively high scatter in strength.
Local stress concentrations around the fibers reduce the transverse tensile strength appreciably. Conventional
Fig.1.11 SWCNT and MWCNT
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materials are more sensitive to their microstructure and local irregularities, which influence the brittle or ductile
behaviour of the material. Fiber reinforced composite materials (FRC) are built from fibers and a resin matrix.
Mechanical properties of FRC materials not only depend on properties fibers and resin used but also depend on
the organization and the envelopment of fibers in the resin matrix. The interfacial bonding strength between
fiber and resin is another factor that affects the strength of the composite. Filament wound composite pressure
vessels maybe regarded as an assembly of unidirectional FRC is the focus of this work. Currently, there are
several models to describe and evaluate the properties of composites, as found from literature review. The rule
of mixtures based on a simple one-dimensional model is the simplest. In terms of longitudinal modulus,
transverse modulus and in plane Poissons ratio the results match the experimental data very well and are
written as follows.




3. Governing Eigen Value Equation:-
3.1. The Effective Material Properties of CNTRC

Fig.3.1. shows the CNTRCs of thickness h where the distribution of CNTs is non-uniform and graded along the
thickness direction in Fig.3.1(a) (FG-CNTRC) and is uniform in Fig.3.1(b) (UD-CNTRC), respectively. It is
assumed that the CNTRC is made up from a mixture of SWCNT and an isotropic matrix.
It was pointed out by many investigators from Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Elastic Properties of
CNT Composites that the material properties of the SWCNT and CNTRC are Anisotropic [20].
According to the Rule of Mixture, The effective Youngs Modulus and Shear Modulus of CNTRC can be
expressed as [23]
11 1 11 11
cnt m
cnt m
E V E V E q = + ( ) 3.a
2
22 22 22
cnt m
cnt m
V V
E E E
q
= + ( ) 3.b
3
12 12
cnt m
cnt m
V V
G G G
q
= + ( ) 3.c
Where
11 22 12
, , are Young's Modulus and Shear Modulus, respectively of the CNT
cnt cnt cnt
E E G
11 22
, , are Young's Modulus and Shear Modulus, respectively of the isotropic matrix
m m m
E E G
is the CNT efficiency parameter (i=1,2,3)
i
q accounting for the scale-dependent material properties and will be
determined later by matching the Elastic Modulus of CNTRCs observed from the MD Simulation results with
the numerical results obtained from the Rule of Mixture.

cnt m
V and V are the volume fractions for CNT and Matrix
1
cnt m
V V + = ( ) 3.d
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ISSN : 0975-5462 Vol. 5 No.09 Sep 2013 1707
It is assumed that the volume fraction of Carbon Nanotube
cnt
V varies linearly along the thickness i.e.

2
1
cnt cnt
z
V V
h
-
| |
=
|
\ .
( ) 3.e
Where and
cnt m
= the densities of carbon Nanotube and matrix respectively.
cnt cnt
V V
-
= Corresponds to the UDCNTRC as shown in fig. 5.2 with
cnt
V defined in ( ) . 3. , Eq e both the
FGCNTRC beam and UD-CNTRC beam have the same value of CNT mass fraction. Similarly, Poissons ratio
v and mass density can be calculated by

cnt m
cnt m
V V v v v = + ( ) 3.g

cnt m
cnt m
V V = + ( ) 3.h
,
cnt m
Poisson s ratio of Carbon Nanotube and Matrix respectively v v =
Energy functions of the FG- CNTRC Euler Bernoulii's Beam:
, & : Displacements along X Y Z Axis
Axial displacement :
( , , ) ( , ) U x y z U x t = ( ) 3.1
Where U(x,t) =Displacement component inthe midplane t =Time
Transverse Vibrations :
W(x,z,t) =W(x,t) ( ) 3.2
Where ( , ) isplacement component in the midplane W x t D =
Linear Strain-Displacement relationships are

x
U
x
c
c
=
c
( ) 3.3

xz
W
x

c
=
c
( ) 3.4
For Linear Elastic Constitutive Law

11
( ).
xx x
Q Z o c =
xx
Where Normal Stress o =

11
( )
xx
U
Q z
x
o
c ( | |
=
| (
c
\ .
( ) 3.5

11
11
E (z)
Q (z)=
1 ( ) z u


55
( ).
xz xz
Q z t =
xz
Where Shear Stress t =

55 12
( ) ( ) Q z G z =
55
( )
xz
W
Q z
x
t
| |
|
\ .
c
=
c

From Potential Energy Approach
Strain Energy:

1
2
T
v
V dv o c =
}
( ) 3.7

Krishna Chaitanya Vulchi et al. / International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology (IJEST)
ISSN : 0975-5462 Vol. 5 No.09 Sep 2013 1708
But Stiffness Components:
2
11 11
2
A = ( )
h
h
Q z dz

}

2
55 55
2
A = ( )
h
h
Q z dz k

}
( ) 3.8
5
Where =Shear Correction Factor
6
k =
( ) From 3.7 & (3.8)
max
The maximum strain energy V of the FG-CNTRC Beam can be expressed as
2 2
max 11 55
0
1
.
2
L
U W
V A A dx
x x
(
c c | | | |
= +
(
| |
c c
\ . \ .
(

}
( ) 3.9
Kinetic Energy or work potential:

2
2
0
2
1
. .
2
h
L
h
T V dx dz

=
} }
( ) 3.10
(3.1) & (3.2) From

U U
t t
c c
=
c c
&
W W
t t
c c
=
c c
( ) 3.11

2 2
2 U W
V
t t
c c | | | |
= +
| |
c c
\ . \ .
( ) 3.12

2
1
2
( ).
h
h
I z dz

=
}
( ) 3.13
From (3.12) & (3.13)

( )
2 2
1
0
1
.
2
L
T I U W dx
(
= +

}

( ) 3.14
Where ;
U
U U
t
c
= =
c

;
W
W W
t
c
= =
c


Kinetic Energy, when the Beam undergoing Harmonic motion, Maximum

2
max
T T = O
( )
2
2 2
max 1
0
.
2
L
T I U W dx
O
(
= +

}
( ) 3.15
Let us assume Dimensionless Quantities as follows;
;
x
L
, = ;
U
u
h
= ;
W
w
h
=
1
1
10
;
I
I
I
=

11
11
110
;
A
a
A
=
55
55
110
;
A
a
A
=
10
110
;
I
L
A
e = O
110 11
A =The value of A of the Homogeneous (Pure Matrix Material) Beam.
10 1
=The value of I of the Homogeneous (Pure Matrix Material) Beam. I
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ISSN : 0975-5462 Vol. 5 No.09 Sep 2013 1709
Replace interms of Dimensionless Quantity , x ,

x
L
, = dx Ld, =
1

d
dx L
,
=
Now the limits are, 0 0; =1 x x L , , = = =
( ) ( ) ( ) the above values in 3.10 , 3.11 & 3.15 Substitute
( ) Equation 3.10 becomes

2 2
1
*
11 55
0
1
.
2
u w
V a a d,
, ,
(
| | | | c c
= + (
| |
c c
( \ . \ .

}
( ) 3.16
where
2
110
0
;
A h
L
A =
*
0
V
V =
A

( ) Equation 3.15 becomes:

( )
1 2
2 2
1
max
0
.
2
T I u w d
e
,
-
(
= +

}
( ) 3.17
where
* max
0
T
T =
A

The Energy Functional for the FG-CNTRC Euler Beam can be written as

*
max
V T
-
H = ( ) 3.18
Minimization of Energy Functional By Ritz Method:

The Ritz method [25] is employed in the present study to derive the governing Eigen value equation for
nonlinear free vibration of FG-CNTRC Euler beams. The Ritz trial functions that satisfy the geometric boundary
conditions on both ends of the beams take the form of

1
1
u( ) ;
N
i i
i
A ,
=
=

&
1
1
;
N
i
i
i
u
A
, ,
=
c c
=
c c

( ) a

1
1
w( ) ;
N
i i
i
B ,
=
=

&
1
1
;
N
i
i
i
w
B
, ,
=
c c
=
c c

( ) b
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Substitute ,& in Equations 3.15 , 3.16 & 3.17 ; a b
| | | |
{ }
*
( , ) ( , )
1 1
1 6
2 5
N N
i j i j i j N i N j
i j
V A A K B B K
+ +
= =
= +

( ) 3.19

| |
( )
| |
( )
2
max , ,
1 1 1 1
2
N M N M
i j i j i j N i M j
i j i j
T A A M B B M
e
-
+ +
= = = =
= +
| |
|
\ .

( ) 3.20
( ) ( ) 3.19 & 3.20 equation (3.18) Substitute in
*
max
V T
-
H =

0; 0;
i i
A B
cH cH
= =
c c
( ) 3.21
The above equations leads to linear governing equations in matrix form as
| || | | || |
2
0 K d M d e = ( ) 3.22
where
{ }
, 1,2,3, ....... ;
T T
j j
d A B j N = = ( (


; M the Mass Matrix = ; K The linear stiffness matrix =
Krishna Chaitanya Vulchi et al. / International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology (IJEST)
ISSN : 0975-5462 Vol. 5 No.09 Sep 2013 1710
2 2 K and M are N N Symmetric Matrices whose elements are as follows
| |
1
1
1
11
( , )
0
,
j
i
i j
K a d,
, ,
c
c
=
c c
}
| |
( , )
0,
L
i N j
K
+
= | |
1
1
1
55
( , )
0
,
j
i
N i N j
K a d,
, ,
+ +
c
c
=
c c
}

| |
1
1
1 1
( , )
0
,
i j
i j
M d, = I
}
| |
1
1
1 1
( , )
0
,
i j
N i N j
M d,
+ +
= I
}

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
The results for the linear free vibration of FG-CNTRC Euler beam with different boundary conditions in tables
4.1 to 4.2, Fig.4.1 and 4.2 where the results for UD-CNTRC counterparts are also given for a direct comparison.
Linear fundamental frequencies
l
e are listed in the above mentioned tables as well. The complicated integral
values are calculated like A
11
, A
55
by using online math software [40] and the Eigen values and Eigen vectors
are calculated by using MATLAB Software.
PROPERTIES OF THE MATRIX and CNT:
The beam thickness h=0.1m, slenderness ratio
10,
L
h
=
*
0.12, 0.17, 0.28. V
cnt
= Poly Methyl Methacrylate
(PMMA) is selected for the matrix material with 0.3,
m
v =
3
1190 kg/m,
m
= 2.5 GPa
m
E = at room
temperature (300K). The arm chair (10, 10) SWCNTs are used as the reinforcements with
11
600 GPa,
cnt
E =
22
10 GPa
cnt
E = and 0.19.
cnt
v = Han and Elliott [20] obtained the elastic properties of this type of
PMMA/CNT Composite through Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation.
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