Effect of carbon nanotubes reinforcement on eigenmodes of multi‐smart core sandwich composite cylindrical shell panels

Abstract This study investigates the dynamic responses of carbon nanotubes (CNT) reinforced composite sandwich shells with multi magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) core. The CNT reinforced composite skin layers are made by using hand layup technique. An experimental modal test has been carried for with and without CNT reinforced composite cylindrical shells under clamped free condition. The 3D finite element model is verified by comparing the obtained natural frequencies with experimental results. The numerical results indicate that the CNT reinforced composite multi‐MRE cylindrical sandwich shell greatly influences the natural frequencies compared with single‐MRE cylindrical sandwich shell. The effect of many parameters on the natural frequencies of the CNT reinforced composite multi‐MRE cylindrical sandwich shells is also discussed, including the weight percent of CNT, magnetic fields, and support conditions.