LAUSR

This paper is concerned with free vibration characteristics of a spinning composite laminated truncated conical shell subjected to hygrothermal environment. Hygrothermal strains are introduced into the constitutive law of single-layer material, and fiber orientation lies symmetrically with respect to the midplane of the composite shell. Considering the spin-induced Coriolis and centrifugal forces, as well as initial hoop tension, the governing equations of free vibration of the composite conical shell with hygrothermal effects are derived on the basis of Love’s thin-shell theory and Hamilton’s principle. The solution of the equations is derived using the Galerkin approach. Then, a detailed parametric study on natural frequencies and critical spinning speeds is numerically performed. Results indicate that the Coriolis force induces an asymmetric influence on natural frequencies of forward and backward traveling waves, while the centrifugal force enhances the frequencies of both traveling waves symmetrically. Initial hoop tension plays a major role in the increase of critical spinning angular speed. Temperature, moisture concentration, and design parameters show the significant influence on the free vibration characteristics of the conical shell, and thermal expansion deformation is nonnegligible in the free vibration analysis.