Free vibration analysis of a sandwich conical shell with a magnetorheological elastomer core, enriched with carbone nanotubes and functionally graded porous face layers

Abstract

In this paper, the free vibration behaviors of a sandwich conical shell with a magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) core enriched with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and two functionally graded (FG) porous face layers are investigated. The mathematical modeling of the shell is performed via the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) incorporating the continuity conditions between the face layers and the core. The porosity parameters are adjusted to provide the same mass for all porosity dispersion patterns. The governing equations and boundary conditions are derived via Hamilton’s principle and are solved through a semi-analytical solution to attain the natural frequencies and the loss factors for various boundary conditions. First, appropriate triangular functions are utilized to provide an exact solution in the circumferential direction. Then, a numerical solution is presented in the meridional direction utilizing the differential quadrature method (DQM). The influences of various factors on the natural frequencies and loss factors are investigated including intensity of the applied magnetic field, mass fraction of the CNTs subjoined to the core, thickness of the CNT-reinforced MRE core, thickness of the FG porous face layers, porosity parameter and dispersion pattern of the pores in the FG porous face layers, and the boundary conditions. Numerical results show that although subjoining CNTs to the MRE core and applying magnetic field have weak effects on the natural frequencies of the shell, increases in the mass fraction of the CNTs and intensity of the applied magnetic field result in remarkable increases in the loss factors, and provide stronger vibration suppression.