Nonlinear vibration of functionally graded graphene-reinforced composite laminated beams resting on elastic foundations in thermal environments

Modeling and nonlinear vibration analysis of graphene-reinforced composite (GRC) laminated beams resting on elastic foundations in thermal environments are presented. The graphene reinforcements are assumed to be aligned and are distributed either uniformly or functionally graded of piece-wise type along the thickness of the beam. The motion equations of the beams are based on a higher-order shear deformation beam theory and von Karman strain displacement relationships. The beam-foundation interaction and thermal effects are also included. The temperature-dependent material properties of GRCs are estimated through a micromechanical model. A two-step perturbation approach is employed to determine the nonlinear-to-linear frequency ratios of GRC laminated beams. Detailed parametric studies are carried out to investigate the effects of material property gradient, temperature variation, stacking sequence as well as the foundation stiffness on the linear and nonlinear vibration characteristics of the GRC laminated beams.