M. Rafiee

Bio: M. Rafiee is an academic researcher from University of Ottawa. The author has contributed to research in topics: Nonlinear system & Timoshenko beam theory. The author has an hindex of 22, co-authored 33 publications receiving 1455 citations. Previous affiliations of M. Rafiee include City University of Hong Kong & École Polytechnique de Montréal.

Multi-Material 3D and 4D Printing: A Survey

Abstract: Recent advances in multi-material 3D and 4D printing (time as the fourth dimension) show that the technology has the potential to extend the design space beyond complex geometries. The potential of these additive manufacturing (AM) technologies allows for functional inclusion in a low-cost single-step manufacturing process. Different composite materials and various AM technologies can be used and combined to create customized multi-functional objects to suit many needs. In this work, several types of 3D and 4D printing technologies are compared and the advantages and disadvantages of each technology are discussed. The various features and applications of 3D and 4D printing technologies used in the fabrication of multi-material objects are reviewed. Finally, new avenues for the development of multi-material 3D and 4D printed objects are proposed, which reflect the current deficiencies and future opportunities for inclusion by AM.

Dynamics, vibration and control of rotating composite beams and blades: A critical review

Abstract: Rotating composite beams and blades have a wide range of applications in various engineering structures such as wind turbines, industrial fans, and steam turbines. Therefore, proper understanding of such structures is of a great importance. As a result, the behavior of rotating composite beam structures has received a lot of attention. This paper presents a comprehensive review of scholarly articles about rotating composite beams as published in the past decades. The review addresses analytical, semi-analytical and numerical studies dealing with dynamical problems involving adaptive/smart/intelligent materials (e.g. piezoelectric materials, electrorheological fluids, shape memory alloys, etc.), damping and vibration control, advanced composite materials (e.g. functionally graded materials and nanocomposites), complicating effects and loadings (e.g. added mass, tapered beams, initial curve and twist, etc.), and experimental methods. Moreover, the influence of Vlasov or restrained warping, out-of-plane warping, transverse shear, arbitrary cross-sectional geometry, trapeze phenomena, swept tip, size-dependent effect, as well as other areas that have been considered in research, are reviewed in depth. The review concludes with a presentation of the remaining challenges and future research needs.

Thermal bifurcation buckling of piezoelectric carbon nanotube reinforced composite beams

Abstract: The nonlinear thermal bifurcation buckling behavior of carbon nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) beams with surface-bonded piezoelectric layers is studied in this paper. The governing equations of piezoelectric CNTRC beam are obtained based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and von Karman geometric nonlinearity. Two kinds of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (CNTRC) beams, namely, uniformly distributed (UD) and functionally graded (FG) reinforcements, are considered. The material properties of FG-CNTRC beam are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction. The SWCNTs are assumed aligned, straight and with a uniform layout. Exact solutions are presented to study the thermal buckling behavior of beams made of a symmetric single-walled carbon nanotube reinforced composite with surface-bonded piezoelectric layers. The critical temperature load is obtained for the nonlinear problem. The effects of the applied actuator voltage, temperature, beam geometry, boundary conditions, and volume fractions of carbon nanotubes on the buckling of piezoelectric CNTRC beams are investigated.

Recent progress of reinforcement materials: a comprehensive overview of composite materials

Abstract: Emerged in the middle of 20th century, composite materials are now one of the hotspot research topics in the modern technology. Their promising characteristics make them suitable for enormous applications in industrial field such as aerospace, automotive, construction, sports, bio-medical and many others. These materials reveal remarkable structural and mechanical properties such as high strength to weight ratio, resistance to chemicals, fire, corrosion and wear; being economical to manufacture. Herein, an overview of composite materials, their characterization, classification and main advantages linked to physical and mechanical properties based on the recent studies are presented. There, were presented the conventional manufacturing techniques of composite and their applications. It was highlighted the tremendous need to discovery new generation of composites that should incorporate the synthetic or natural materials by implementing new efficient manufacturing processes. In the combination of matrix and reinforcement materials, the use of natural materials as constituent are compulsory in order to obtain a complete material degradable as environmentally friendly.

Effect of agglomeration on the natural frequencies of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced laminated composite doubly-curved shells

Abstract: This paper aims at investigating the effect of Carbon Nanotube (CNT) agglomeration on the free vibrations of laminated composite doubly-curved shells and panels reinforced by CNTs. The great performances of doubly-curved structures are joined with the excellent mechanical properties of CNTs. Several laminations schemes and various CNT exponential distributions along the thickness of the structures are considered. Thus, it is evident that the shell dynamic behavior can be affected by many parameters which characterize the reinforcing phase. A widespread parametric study is performed in order to show the natural frequency variation. The general theoretical model for shell structures is based on the so-called Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF) which allows to consider several Higher-order Shear Deformations Theories (HSDTs). In addition, a complete characterization of the mechanical properties of CNTs is presented. The governing equations for the free vibration analysis are solved numerically by means of the well-known Generalized Differential Quadrature (GDQ) method due to its accuracy, stability and reliability features.