Bending and eigenfrequency analysis of glass fiber reinforced honeycomb sandwich shell panels containing graphene-decorated with graphene quantum dots

The present study employs a finite element (FE) formulation to examine the free vibration and bending analyses of sandwich shells made of a glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite honeycomb core and graphene decorated with graphene quantum dots (GDGQD) reinforced by GFRP composite face layers. The mechanical characteristics of the GFRP composites with GDGQD reinforcement were evaluated using experimental tests. The FE formulation was developed to compute the vibration and bending responses of the sandwich shells via MATLAB software. The Lagrange method is used for dynamic analysis, whereas the principle of potential energy is used for static analysis. The FE model's validity is compared to numerical data reported in the literature in terms of frequencies and deflection, and the results demonstrate excellent agreement. The impacts of the end conditions, core-to-facesheet thickness ratio, curvature ratios, and weight percent of GDGQD are studied further in relation to the bending and dynamic properties of GFRP sandwich shells.

Automated summary

This study investigates the free vibration and bending analyses of sandwich shells made of a GFRP composite honeycomb core reinforced with graphene quantum dots (GDGQD) using a finite element (FE) formulation. Experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical characteristics of the GFRP composites with GDGQD reinforcement. The FE formulation, implemented in MATLAB, accurately predicts the vibration and bending responses of the sandwich shells, with excellent agreement compared to numerical data from the literature. The effects of various factors, such as end conditions, core-to-facesheet thickness ratio, curvature ratios, and weight percent of GDGQD, on the bending and dynamic properties of GFRP sandwich shells were also investigated.