Nonlinear finite element vibration analysis of functionally graded nanocomposite spherical shells reinforced with graphene platelets

The main objective of this paper is to develop the finite element study on the nonlinear free vibration of functionally graded nanocomposite spherical shells reinforced with graphene platelets under the first-order shear deformation shell theory and von Kármán nonlinear kinematic relations. The governing equations are presented by introducing the full asymmetric nonlinear strain-displacement relations followed by the constitutive relations and energy functional. The extended Halpin-Tsai model is utilized to specify the overall Young's modulus of the nanocomposite. Then, the finite element formulation is derived and the quadrilateral 8-node shell element is implemented for finite element discretization. The nonlinear sets of dynamic equations are solved by the use of the harmonic balance technique and iterative method to find the nonlinear frequency response. Several numerical examples are represented to highlight the impact of involved factors on the large-amplitude vibration responses of nanocomposite spherical shells. One of the main findings is that for some geometrical and material parameters, the fundamental vibrational mode shape is asymmetric and the axisymmetric formulation cannot be appropriately employed to model the nonlinear dynamic behavior of nanocomposite spherical shells.