State-space Levy method for vibration analysis of FG-CNT composite plates subjected to in-plane loads based on higher-order shear deformation theory

The vibration behaviors of functionally graded carbon nanotube (FG-CNT) reinforced composite rectangular plates subjected to in-plane loads are studied in this paper. Three types of carbon nanotube (CNT) distributions are researched in this investigation. Reddy's third-order shear deformation theory (HSDT) is applied to evaluate the displacement fields of the plate. The equation of motion of the structural system is formulated with use of the Hamilton's principle. The plates investigated in this study are simply-supported on two opposite edges and therefore, in order to solve the coupling set of equations of motion, the state-space Levy method is applied. Based on the Levy solution, the natural frequencies and vibration mode shapes of FG-CNT reinforced composite plates subjected to in-plane loads with different boundary conditions are presented for different thickness-length ratios and aspect ratios. Moreover, the critical in-plane loads for the buckling of different FG-CNT plates are calculated and compared. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.