Nonlinear vibration analysis of CFRP spherical shell panel under hygrothermal effects

Abstract Based on the nonlinear static stability analysis, this paper establishes the governing equations of the nonlinear dynamic stability of a spherical shell panel of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) under the hygrothermal effects; the Galerkin method is used to solve the governing equations. Then, for the free vibration of CFRP spherical shell panel, the analytical expression of the ratio of nonlinear vibration frequency to natural frequency is obtained by employing the multiscale method; for forced vibration, the analytical expression of the ratio of excitation frequency to natural frequency is obtained by considering the harmonic excitation load. Finally, the effects of geometric parameters, boundary conditions, loads, and the hygrothermal effects on the amplitude-frequency response curves of the CFRP spherical shell panel are discussed.