A Size-Dependent Finite Element Method for the 3D Free Vibration Analysis of Functionally Graded Graphene Platelets-Reinforced Composite Cylindrical Microshells Based on the Consistent Couple Stress Theory

Within a framework of the consistent couple stress theory (CCST), a size-dependent finite element method (FEM) is developed. The three-dimensional (3D) free vibration characteristics of simply-supported, functionally graded (FG) graphene platelets (GPLs)-reinforced composite (GPLRC) cylindrical microshells are analyzed. In the formulation, the microshells are artificially divided into numerous finite microlayers. Fourier functions and Hermitian C(2) polynomials are used to interpolate the in-surface and out-of-surface variations in the displacement components induced in each microlayer. As a result, the second-order derivative continuity conditions for the displacement components at each nodal surface are satisfied. Five distribution patterns of GPLs varying in the thickness direction are considered, including uniform distribution (UD) and FG A-type, O-type, V-type, and X-type distributions. The accuracy and convergence of the CCST-based FEM are validated by comparing the solutions it produces with the exact and approximate 3D solutions for FG cylindrical macroshells reported in the literature, for which the material length scale parameter is set at zero. Numerical results show that by increasing the weight fraction of GPLs by 1%, the natural frequency of FG-GPLRC cylindrical microshells can be increased to more than twice that of the homogeneous cylindrical microshells. In addition, the effects of the material length scale parameter, the GPL distribution patterns, and the length–to–thickness ratio of GPLs on natural frequencies of the FG-GPLRC cylindrical microshells are significant.