Natural frequency analysis of joined conical-cylindrical-conical shells made of graphene platelet reinforced composite resting on Winkler elastic foundation

Natural frequency behavior of graphene platelets reinforced composite (GPL-RC) joined truncated conical- cylindrical-conical shells resting on Winkler-type elastic foundation is presented in this paper for the first time. The rule of mixture and the modified Halpin-Tsai approach are applied to achieve the mechanical properties of the structure. Four different graphene platelets patterns are considered along the thickness of the structure such as GPLA, GPLO, GPLX, GPLUD. Finite element procedure according to Rayleigh-Ritz formulation has been used to solve 2D-axisymmetric elasticity equations. Application of 2D axisymmetric elasticity theory allows thickness stretching unlike simple shell theories, and this gives more accurate results, especially for thick shells. An efficient parametric investigation is also presented to show the effects of various geometric variables, three different boundary conditions, stiffness of elastic foundation, dispersion pattern and weight fraction of GPLs nanofillers on the natural frequencies of the joined shell. Results show that GPLO and BC3 provide the most rigidity that cause the most natural frequencies among different BCs and GPL patterns. Also, by increasing the weigh fraction of nanofillers, the natural frequencies will increase up to 200%.