Effect of nanotube agglomeration on dynamics of carbon nanotube-reinforced piezocomposite shells

In this research project, firstly the effective material properties are estimated by an appropriate micromechanics model for a piezocomposite cylindrical shell reinforced with agglomerated CNTs, and then the corresponding constitutive equations and governing equations of motion are derived. Wave propagation characteristics are determined based on the first-order shear deformation shell theory in which the transverse shear effects and rotary inertia are included. Wave propagation behaviors for both partial and complete agglomerations of CNTs are obtained within various axial and circumferential wave numbers for different wave modes. Wave dispersion results of an agglomerated CNT-reinforced piezocomposite shell are compared with those of a piezocomposite shell reinforced with uniformly distributed CNTs. The methodology and modeling are verified with the available experimental data. The methodology and results of this project can be used for design of smart advanced composite structures required for structural health monitoring and energy harvesting applications.

Faculty Supervisor:

Nan Wu

Student:

Partner:

Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Manitoba

Program: