Flow-thermoelastic vibration and instability analysis of viscoelastic carbon nanotubes embedded in viscous fluid

The flexural vibration of viscoelastic carbon nanotubes (CNTs) conveying fluid and embedded in viscous fluid is investigated by the nonlocal Timoshenko beam model. The governing equations are developed by Hamilton's principle, including the effects of structural damping of the CNT, internal moving fluid, external viscous fluid, temperature change and nonlocal parameter. Applying Galerkin's approach, the resulting equations are transformed into a set of eigenvalue equations. The validity of the present analysis is confirmed by comparing the results with those obtained in literature. The effects of the main parameters on the vibration characteristics of the CNT are also elucidated. Most results presented in the present investigation have been absent from the literature for the vibration and instability of the CNT conveying fluid. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.