Free vibration analysis of CNT reinforced plates using higher order shear deformation theory

Abstract With the stringent requirements of lightweight and high stiffness in space technology and spacecraft, the research on frequency characters of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced structures is particularly urgent. In this paper, based on the Reissner-Mindlin higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT), a vibration model for a CNT functionally graded (FG) plate is developed, and influences of the reinforcements distribution form, reinforcement volume fractions, and various boundary conditions of the structure are considered in this established model. Subsequently, the model’s convergence test was presented first with a rectangular plate structure. Finally, the vibration characteristics and modal shapes of the CNT-FG plate structure are carried out by using this model.