An exact analytical method for free vibration analysis of FG-GPLRC sector cylindrical shells under Levy-type boundary conditions

Abstract In this article, an exact analytical method for the free vibration analysis of functionally graded (FG) graphene platelet (GPL)-reinforced composite (GPLRC) sector cylindrical shells is presented by considering Levy-type boundary conditions for the first time. The analysis relies on the use of the Halpin–Tsai micro-mechanical model for evaluating the material properties of the graded layers of the shell with three different grading patterns. Mathematical modeling of the Levy-type cylindrical shell is based on the Hamilton principle and the Sanders first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT). The governing equations of the composite shell are analytically solved using the state-space method. The validity of the proposed analytical method is demonstrated by the excellent agreement between the obtained results of the exact analytical solution and the results available in the literature. Furthermore, some parametric studies are conducted to reveal the effects of variations in boundary conditions, GPL distribution patterns, GPL weight fraction, and geometrical parameters such as shallowness angle, length-to-radius ratio, and thickness on the free vibration behavior of the shell structure. Natural frequencies and mode switching are reported for different mode numbers.