LAUSR

Abstract In this paper, the dynamic stiffness method is used to research the dynamic stability characteristics of multi-span aluminum-based functionally graded material (FGM) fluid-conveying pipe enhanced by carbon nanotube. The influence of the different volume fraction on natural frequency, critical pressure and critical velocity of the FGM pipe is discussed. The influence of different radiuses on the natural frequency of the pipe and the influence of different span-ratios on the stability characteristics of the pipe are also discussed. It can be concluded that change of material component has significant influence on natural frequencies, critical velocity and critical pressure of the FGM pipe. The instability caused by flow velocity variation is different from that caused by pressure change. If the total length of the pipe remains unchanged, different span-ratios will have a great impact on the stability of the pipe. Increasing outside diameter of the pipe will cause the increase of the natural frequency.