Dynamic Behavior of Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymer Composite Ring-like Structures: Unraveling the Effects of Agglomeration, Porosity, and Elastic Coupling.

Abstract

This research examines the free vibration characteristics of composite ring-like structures enhanced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), taking into account the effects of CNT agglomeration. The structural framework comprises two concentric composite rings linked by elastic springs, creating a coupled beam ring (CBR) system. The first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is applied to account for transverse shear deformation, while Hamilton's principle is employed to formulate the governing equations of motion. The effective mechanical properties of the composite material are assessed with regard to CNT agglomeration, which has a significant impact on the elastic modulus and the overall dynamic behavior of the structure. The numerical analysis explores the influence of porosity distribution, boundary conditions (BCs), and the stiffness of the springs on the natural vibration frequencies (NVFs). The results demonstrate that an increase in CNT agglomeration leads to a reduction in the stiffness of the composite, consequently decreasing the NVFs. Furthermore, asymmetric porosity distributions result in nonlinear fluctuations in NVFs due to irregularities in mass and stiffness, whereas uniform porosity distributions display a nearly linear relationship. This study also emphasizes the importance of boundary conditions and elastic coupling in influencing the vibrational response of CBR systems. These findings offer significant insights for the design and optimization of advanced composite ring structures applicable in aerospace, nanotechnology, and high-performance engineering systems.