Dynamic stability analysis of a pressurized FG-CNTRC cylindrical shell interacting with supersonic airflow

The objective of this research is to investigate the aeroelastic buckling and flutter instability of a pressurized functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) cylindrical shell subjected to supersonic airflow. The dynamic model of the FG-CNTRC cylindrical shell is established in accordance with the first-order shear deformation theory, Donnell kinematic theory along with the von Karman geometrical nonlinearity. The quasi-steady Krumhaar's modified piston theory by considering the effect of the panel curvature is used to estimate the aerodynamic pressure induced by the supersonic airflow. The dynamic equations are discretized using trigonometric expansion through the circumferential direction and harmonic differential quadrature (HDQ) method through the meridional direction. Effects of boundary conditions, geometrical parameters, volume fraction and distribution of CNTs and the Mach number on the flutter instability, onset of the buckling and deformation shapes of the cylindrical shell are put into evidence through a set of parametric studies. The simulation indicates that the critical flutter dynamic pressure may be significantly enhanced through functionally graded distribution of CNTs in a polymer matrix. Furthermore, it is found that presence of the aerodynamic pressure may completely change deformation shapes of the FG-CNTRC cylindrical shell. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.