Analytical investigation on free vibration frequencies of polymer nano composite plate: Effect of graphene grading and non-uniform edge loading

Abstract

An analytical investigation carried out on free vibration characteristics of functionally graded graphene reinforced nanocomposite (FG-GRC) plate under different non-uniform edge loads is presented. Graphene nano-platelets (GPLs) are homogeneously dispersed and graded by varying weight fraction through the thickness. An analytical method based on strain energy approach is adopted to estimate the buckling load. Natural frequencies of the FG-GRC plate are attained using analytical solutions derived based on Reddy's third-order shear deformation theorem (TDST). Results revealed that buckling and free vibration behavior of the plate is influenced by the GPLs dispersion pattern and weight fraction under non-uniform edge loads. It is also observed that buckling mode and the fundamental vibration mode of the plate under combined tensile-compression load is entirely different from the other non-uniform edge load cases. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd