Three-dimensional free vibration analysis of four-parameter continuous grading fiber reinforced cylindrical panels resting on Pasternak foundations

This research investigates three-dimensional free vibration analysis of four-parameter continuous grading fiber reinforced (CGFR) cylindrical panels resting on Pasternak foundations by using generalized power-law distribution. The functionally graded orthotropic panel is simply supported at the edges, and it is assumed to have an arbitrary variation of matrix volume fraction in the radial direction. A four-parameter power-law distribution presented in literature is proposed. Symmetric and asymmetric volume fraction profiles are presented. Suitable displacement functions that identically satisfy the boundary conditions at the simply supported edges are used to reduce the equilibrium equations to a set of coupled ordinary differential equations with variable coefficients, which are solved by generalized differential quadrature method, and natural frequency is obtained. The fast rate of convergence of the method is demonstrated, and to validate the results, comparisons are made with the available solutions for functionally graded isotropic shells with/without elastic foundations. The effect of the elastic foundation stiffness parameters and various geometrical parameters on the vibration behavior of the CGFR cylindrical panels is investigated. This work mainly contributes to illustrate the influence of the four parameters of power-law distributions on the vibration behavior of functionally graded orthotropic cylindrical panels resting on elastic foundation. This paper is also supposed to present useful results for continuous grading of matrix volume fraction in the thickness direction of a cylindrical panel on elastic foundation and comparison with similar discrete laminated composite cylindrical panel.