Effect of Porosity on Flexural Vibration of CNT-Reinforced Cylindrical Shells in Thermal Environment Using GDQM

This article investigates the flexural vibration of temperature-dependent and carbon nanotube-reinforced (CNTR) cylindrical shells made of functionally graded (FG) porous materials under various kinds of thermal loadings. The equivalent material properties of the cylindrical shell of concern are estimated using the rule of mixture. Both the cases of uniform distribution (UD) and FG distribution patterns of reinforcements are considered. Thermo-mechanical properties of the cylindrical shell are supposed to vary through the thickness and are estimated using the modified power-law rule, by which the porosities with even and uneven types are approximated. As the porosities occur inside the FG materials during the manufacturing process, it is necessary to consider their impact on the vibration behavior of shells. The present study is featured by consideration of different types of porosities in various CNT reinforcements under various boundary conditions in a single model. The governing equations and boundary conditions are developed using Hamilton's principle and solved by the generalized differential quadrature method. The accuracy of the present results is verified by comparison with existing ones and those by Navier's method. The results show that the length to radius ratio and temperature, as well as CNT reinforcement, porosity, thermal loading, and boundary conditions, play an important role on the natural frequency of the cylindrical shell of concern in thermal environment.