Buckling analysis of laminated composite rectangular plates reinforced by SWCNTs using analytical and finite element methods

Abstract

In this paper, the buckling analysis of laminated composite plates reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is carried out using an analytical approach as well as the finite element method. The developed model is based on the classical laminated plate theory (CLPT) and the third-order shear deformation theory for moderately thick laminated plates. The critical buckling loads for the symmetrical layup are determined for different support edges. The Mori-Tanaka method is employed to calculate the effective elastic modulus of composites having aligned oriented straight nanotubes. The effect of the agglomeration of the randomly oriented straight nanotubes on the critical buckling load is also analyzed. The results of analytical solution are compared and verified with the FEM calculations The critical buckling loads obtained by the finite element and the analytical methods for different layup and boundary conditions are in good agreement with each other. In this article, the effects of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) orientation angle, the edge conditions, and the aspect ratio on the critical buckling load are also demonstrated using both the analytical and finite element methods.