Structural analysis

The vibrational behavior of inhomogeneous beams and circular plates is studied, utilizing the semi-inverse method developed by I. Elishakoff and extensively discussed in his recent monograph (2005). The main thread of his methodology is that the knowledge of the mode shape is postulated. The candidate mode shapes can be adopted from relevant static, dynamic or buckling problems. In this study, the exact mode shapes are sought as polynomial functions, in the context of vibration tailoring, i.e. designing the structure that possesses the pre-specified value. Apparently for the first time in the literature, several closed-form solutions for vibration tailoring have been derived for vibrating inhomogeneous beams and circular plates. Twelve new closed-form solutions for vibration tailoring have been derived for an inhomogeneous polar orthotropic plate that is either clamped or simply supported around its circumference. Also, the vibration tailoring of a polar orthotropic circular plate with translational spring is analyzed. There is considerable potential of utilizing the developed method for design of functionally graded materials.

Degradation of the Carbon Fiber/Vinylester (CF/VE) polymer matrix composites due to different electrochemical interactions when exposed to seawater or at high temperature had been experimentally investigated. Water uptake behavior of composite specimen was examined based on weight gain measurement. Three point bending test was performed to quantify the mechanical degradation of composite immersed in seawater with different environmental and electrochemical interactions. Finally, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) was used to better understanding of the degradation process in CF/VE composite produced by interactions between electrochemical and different environmental conditions. A detailed equivalent circuit analysis by using EIS spectra is also presented in an attempt to elucidate the degradation phenomenon in composites.

In this research, the degradation of carbon fiber/vinylester composites in marine environments was experimentally investigated. Additionally, two types of carbon fiber surface treatments, namely Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) and the industrial surface treatment F0E, were evaluated to determine their effectiveness in creating a fiber/matrix (F/M) interface for use in the marine environment. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) was explored as a new application of an existing technique for use in measuring the amount of water at the F/M interface in carbon fiber/vinylester composites. EIS spectra were used to determine equivalent electric circuit models that allow for the prediction of water at the interface. The location of water within the composite was determined through Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS). Interlaminar shear strength and transverse tensile tests were carried out for dry conditions and after hygrothermal exposure of the composites to study the influence of the integrity of the F/M interface on the macroscopic response of the composite.

Natural frequencies of the double and triple-walled carbon nanotubes are determined exactly and approximately for both types. Approximate solutions are found by using Bubnov-Galerkin and Petrov-Galerkin methods. For the first time explicit expressions are obtained for the natural frequencies of double and triple-walled carbon nanotubes for different combinations of boundary conditions. Comparison of the results with recent studies shows that the above methods constitute quick and effective alternative techniques to exact solution for studying the vibration properties of carbon nanotubes. The natural frequencies of the clamped-clamped double-walled carbon nanotubes are obtained; exact solution is provided and compared with the solution reported in the literature. In contrast to earlier investigation, an analytical criterion is derived to establish the behavior of the roots of the characteristic equation. Approximate Bubnov-Galerkin solution is also obtained to compare natural frequencies at the lower end of the spectrum. Simplified version of the Bresse-Timoshenko theory that incorporates the shear deformation and the rotary inertia is proposed for free vibration study of double-walled carbon nanotubes. It is demonstrated that the suggested set yields extremely accurate results for the lower spectrum of double-walled carbon nanotube. The natural frequencies of double-walled carbon nanotubes based on simplified versions of Donnell shell theory are also obtained. The buckling behavior of the double-walled carbon nanotubes under various boundary conditions is studied. First, the case of the simply supported double-walled carbon nanotubes at both ends is considered which is amenable to exact solution.