Buckling analysis of sandwich plates reinforced with various loading of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

The current investigation aims to examine the buckling behavior of sandwich structures reinforced with faces containing varying weight percentages (wt.%) of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), through the combined employment of experimental and numerical analysis techniques. In particular, the numerical analysis is executed through the implementation of the generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM). The study first determines the mechanical properties of the pure and reinforced samples via experimental tests. The buckling equations of the sandwich plate are then derived using the Frostig approach and a high-order shear deformation theory (SDT) for the flexible core. The continuity conditions between the faces and the core are considered to obtain the structural equations of the system, and Lagrange coefficients are introduced to enhance the accuracy of the governing equations. Subsequently, the study investigates the impact of various parameters, such as core thickness, aspect ratio, different boundary conditions (BC), and the addition of MWCNT nanoparticles on the critical buckling load of the system, utilizing the mechanical properties obtained for the composite faces. The present investigation reveals that the incorporation of MWCNT into the composite matrix brings about notable enhancements in the mechanical characteristics of sandwich structures. Specifically, the elastic modulus and ultimate strength of the faces are found to increase following the addition of MWCNT. Additionally, the critical buckling load of the sandwich plates is observed to rise with an increase in aspect ratio and length-to-thickness ratio, while a decrease in axial load yields similar results. The clamped boundary condition has higher critical buckling loads than the simply supported boundary condition. The addition of MWCNT nanoparticles decreases the dimensionless critical buckling force as the b/a ratio increases. Finally, the reported results of the current investigation present noteworthy findings about the advancement and improvement of sandwich composite structures to meet various application requirements.