LAUSR

In this article, a new analytical model is presented for low velocity impact on an axially functionally graded (AFG) carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced cantilever beam. In order to estimate the material properties of the composite media, the refined rule of mixtures approach containing the efficiency parameters is employed. Based on the third order shear deformation beam theory, the beam deformation is formulated and the contact force is obtained with the aid of the nonlinear Hertz contact law. To derive the equations of motion, energy method with combining the polynomial Ritz method and generalized Lagrange equations are employed. To validate the accuracy of the analytical model, the convergence and comparison studies are carried out with those are reported in the literature in the special cases and simulating the process with ABAQUS software. Afterward, the influences of CNTs distribution, CNTs volume fraction, impact position, impactor initial velocity, and beam geometrical parameters on the contact force and beam deflection at the impact position are studied in detail. POLYM. COMPOS., 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers