Buckling analysis of reinforced composite plates with a multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)

Abstract

Buckling analysis of mechanical structures is essential to insure stability under loading .Critical load of buckling refer to the maximum load can be withstood without losing of stability and avoid a catastrophic damage due to the collapse of columns .Improving of mechanical properties spatially those related with elastic behaviors of materials can lead to improving buckling since it can be raised the value of critical load . Nanotechnology is one of the modern methods which makes significant effects on the mechanical properties of materials. In the field of composite materials this technology leads to valuable improvements for the favorite properties. In this regard Nano composite materials are paid a spatial attention in research for the last decade. The main aim of the present work is to investigate the effect of Nano carbon weight fraction on buckling of the composite plate. Five samples of Nano composite plates were prepared and fabricated for experimental investigations .The plate samples are combined of woven reinforcement fiber and polyester matrix with Carbon .The weight fraction of Nano additives are 0 %, 0.5%, 1%, ,1.5 and 2%, of resin materials weight. To provide homogenous composite an ultrasonic homogenizer is utilized. The experimental work include buckling test for different Nano plates samples with simply supported at two ends and free at the other .Finite Element analysis was achieved via ANSYS R15.0 with proper elements ,meshing ,boundary condition and static analysis .It is found that increasing of Nano carbon weight ratio tends to increase critical load of buckling ,the maximum buckling load is at 2% wt ratio and the experimental results shows fair validation for the numerical analysis where the maximum error dos not exceeded 15% .