• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.478-482
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• 2010

A series of molecular dynamic (MD), finite element (FE) and ab initio simulations are carried out to establish suitable modeling schemes for the continuum-based analysis of aluminum matrix nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). From a comparison of the MD with FE models and inferences based on bond structures and electron distributions, we propose that the effective thickness of a CNT wall for its continuum representation should be related to the graphitic inter-planar spacing of 3.4${\AA}$. We also show that shell element representation of a CNT structure in the FE models properly simulated the carbon-carbon covalent bonding and long-range interactions in terms of the load-displacement behaviors. Estimation of the effective interfacial elastic properties by ab initio simulations showed that the in-plane interfacial bond strength is negligibly weaker than the normal counterpart due to the nature of the weak secondary bonding at the CNT-Al interface. Therefore, we suggest that a third-phase solid element representation of the CNT-Al interface in nanocomposites is not physically meaningful and that spring or bar element representation of the weak interfacial bonding would be more appropriate as in the cases of polymer matrix counterparts. The possibility of treating the interface as a simply contacted phase boundary is also discussed.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.131-156
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• 2017

This paper deals with the dynamic stability of embedded functionally graded (FG)-carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-reinforced micro cylindrical shells. The structure is subjected to harmonic non-uniform temperature distribution and 2D magnetic field. The CNT reinforcement is either uniformly distributed or FG along the thickness direction where the effective properties of nano-composite structure are estimated through Mixture low. The viscoelastic properties of structure are captured based on the Kelvin-Voigt theory. The surrounding viscoelastic medium is considered nonhomogeneous with the spring, orthotropic shear and damper constants. The material properties of cylindrical shell and the viscoelastic medium constants are assumed temperature-dependent. The first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) or Mindlin theory in conjunction with Hamilton's principle is utilized for deriving the motion equations where the size effects are considered based on Eringen's nonlocal theory. Based on differential quadrature (DQ) and Bolotin methods, the dynamic instability region (DIR) of structure is obtained for different boundary conditions. The effects of different parameters such as volume percent and distribution type of CNTs, mode number, viscoelastic medium type, temperature, boundary conditions, magnetic field, nonlocal parameter and structural damping constant are shown on the DIR of system. Numerical results indicate that the FGX distribution of CNTs is better than other considered cases. In addition, considering structural damping of system reduces the resonance frequency.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.495-504
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• 2018

The current study is dedicated to study the thermal effects of wave propagation in beams, reinforced by carbon nanotubes (CNT). Beams, made up of carbon nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) are the future materials in various high tech industries. Herein a Winkler elastic foundation is assumed in order to make the model more realistic. Mostly, CNTs are pervaded in cross section of beam, in various models. So, it is tried to use four of the most profitable reconstructions. The homogenization of elastic and thermal properties such as density, Yong's module, Poisson's ratio and shear module of CNTRC beam, had been done by the demotic rule of mixture to homogenize, which gives appropriate traits in such settlements. To make this investigation, a perfect one, various shear deformation theories had been utilized to show the applicability of this theories, in contrast to their theoretical face. The reigning equation had been derived by extended Hamilton principle and the culminant equation solved analytically by scattering relations for propagation of wave in solid bodies. Results had been verified by preceding studies. It is anticipated that current results can be applicable in future studies.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.67 no.6
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• pp.565-578
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• 2018

This research article reported the nonlinear finite solutions of the nonlinear flexural strength and stress behaviour of nano sandwich graded structural shell panel under the combined thermomechanical loading. The nanotube sandwich structural model is derived mathematically using the higher-order displacement polynomial including the full geometrical nonlinear strain-displacement equations via Green-Lagrange relations. The face sheets of the sandwich panel are assumed to be carbon nanotube-reinforced polymer composite with temperature dependent material properties. Additionally, the numerical model included different types of nanotube distribution patterns for the sandwich face sheets for the sake of variable strength. The required equilibrium equation of the graded carbon nanotube sandwich structural panel is derived by minimizing the total potential energy expression. The energy expression is further solved to obtain the deflection values (linear and nonlinear) via the direct iterative method in conjunction with finite element steps. A computer code is prepared (MATLAB environment) based on the current higher-order nonlinear model for the numerical analysis purpose. The stability of the numerical solution and the validity are verified by comparing the published deflection and stress values. Finally, the nonlinear model is utilized to explore the deflection and the stresses of the nanotube-reinforced (volume fraction and distribution patterns of carbon nanotube) sandwich structure (different core to face thickness ratios) for the variable type of structural parameter (thickness ratio, aspect ratio, geometrical configurations, constraints at the edges and curvature ratio) and unlike temperature loading.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.67 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2018

By using the first order shear deformation plate theory (FSDT) in the present paper, the effect of porosity on the buckling behavior of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite porous plates has been investigated analytically. Two types of distributions of uniaxially aligned reinforcement material are utilized which uniformly (UD-CNT) and functionally graded (FG-CNT) of plates. The analytical equations of the model are derived and the exact solutions for critical buckling load of such type's plates are obtained. The convergence of the method is demonstrated and the present solutions are numerically validated by comparison with some available solutions in the literature. The central thesis studied and discussed in this paper is the Influence of Various parameters on the buckling of carbon nanotube-reinforced porous plate such as aspect ratios, volume fraction, types of reinforcement, the degree of porosity and plate thickness. On the question of porosity, this study found that there is a great influence of their variation on the critical buckling load. It is revealed that the critical buckling load decreases as increasing coefficients of porosity.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.70 no.3
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• pp.351-365
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• 2019

In this paper, free vibration of Cooper-Naghdi micro sandwich cylindrical shell with saturated porous core and reinforced carbon nanotube (CNT) piezoelectric composite face sheets is investigated by using first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and modified couple stress theory (MCST). The sandwich shell is subjected to magneto-thermo-mechanical loadings with temperature dependent material properties. Energy method and Hamilton's principle are used for deriving of the motion equations. The equations are solved by Navier's method. The results are compared with the obtained results by the other literatures. The effects of various parameters such as saturated porous distribution, geometry parameters, volume fraction and temperature change on the natural frequency of the micro-sandwich cylindrical shell are addressed. The obtained results reveal that the natural frequency of the micro sandwich cylindrical shell increases with increasing of the radius to thickness ratio, Skempton coefficient, the porosity of the core, and decreasing of the length to radius ratio and temperature change.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.385-395
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• 2021

This research concentrates on the effects of distributions and volume fractions of carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the nonlinear bending behavior of deep cylindrical panels reinforced by functionally graded carbon nanotubes under thermo-mechanical loading, hitherto not reported in the literature. Assuming the effects of shear deformation and moderately high value of the radius-to-side ratio (R/a), based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and von Karman type of geometric nonlinearity, the governing system of equations is obtained. The analytical solution of field equations is carried out using the Ritz method together with the Newton-Raphson iterative scheme. The effects of radius-to-side ratio, temperature change, and boundary conditions on the nonlinear response of the functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced composite deep cylindrical panel (FG-CNTRC) are investigated. It is concluded that, among the five possible distribution patterns of CNT, FG-V CNTRC deep cylindrical panel is strongest with the highest bending moment and followed by UD, X, O, and Ʌ-ones. Also, considering the present deep cylindrical panel formulation increases the accuracy of the results. Hence, according to the noticeable amount of R/a in FG-CNTRC cylindrical panels, it is mandatory to apply strain-displacement relations of deep cylindrical panels for bending analysis of FG-CNTRC which certainly is desirable for industrial application.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2022

In this paper, a nonlinear numerical method to solve the large deflection problem is introduced. And the non-dimensional load-deflection behavior of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) plates is parametrically investigated. The large deflection problem is formulated according to the von Kármán nonlinear theory and the (1,1,0)^* hierarchical model, and it is approximated by 2-D natural element method (NEM). The shear locking phenomenon is suppressed by the selectively reduced integration method. The nonlinear matrix equations are solved by combining the incremental loading scheme and the Newton-Raphson iteration method. The proposed method is validated from the benchmark experiments, where the propose method shows an excellent agreement with the reference methods. The nonlinear behavior of FG-CNTRC plates is evaluated in terms of the non-dimensional load-deflection curve, and it is parametrically investigated with respect to the existence/non-existence and gradient pattern of CNTs, the width-to-thickness and aspect ratios of plates and the type of boundary conditions. The non-dimensional central deflection is significantly reduced when CNTs and added, and it decreases with the volume fraction of CNTs. But, it shows a uniform increase in proportion to the width-to-thickness and aspect ratios. Both the gradient pattern of CNTs and the type of boundary conditions do also show the remarkable effects.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2009

Dispersion and self-sensing evaluation for single-carbon fiber reinforced in three different acid-treated CNT-epoxy nanocomposites were investigated by electro-micromechanical techniques and wettability tests. Self-sensing based on contact resistivity exhibited more noise for single carbon fiber/acid-treated CNT-epoxy composites than it did for untreated CNT. However, the apparent modulus was higher the acid treated case than the untreated case which is attributed to better stress transfer. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between carbon fibers and the CNT-epoxy was lower than that between carbon fiber and neat epoxy due to the increased viscosity associated with the addition of the CNT. The CNT-epoxy nanocomposite exhibited more hydrophobicity than did neat epoxy. Change in the thermodynamic work of adhesion was consistent with changes in the IFSS but disproportional to that of the apparent modulus. The optimum condition of acid treatment on the need can be obtained instead of the maximum condition.

• Carbon letters
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.187-189
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• 2012

This study investigates the flexural properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced basalt/epoxy composites under conditions with and without moisture absorption. The basalt/CNT/epoxy composites were fabricated using 1 wt% silanized MWCNTs and kept in seawater for over 4 months. The flexural properties of the moisture absorbed specimens were evaluated and compared with those of dry specimens. The flexural properties of basalt/CNT/epoxy composites were found to decrease with moisture absorption. The flexural strength and modulus of moisture absorbed specimens were 22% and 16% lower, respectively, than those of the dry specimen. Scanning electron microscope examination of the fracture surfaces revealed that the decreases of flexural properties in the moisture absorbed specimen were due to the weakening of interfacial bonding from swelling of the epoxy matrix.