Buckling of the Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube Composite Plates Using Finite Element Method

Abstract

Carbon nanotube (CNT) is known to have high mechanical strength and stiffness. In this study single-walled carbon nanotubes were embedded within layers of matrix PmPV to form a carbon nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) plate. Compressive loading was applied to this composite plate until it buckled. A numerical formulation for buckling behavior of the CNTRC plate was developed using finite element method (FEM). First order shear deformation theory was used to model the displacement field of the CNTRC plate. Material properties of the CNTs were functionally graded in the thickness direction of the plate. Effective properties of the composites were calculated using the extended rule of mixture. Critical loads of the CNTRC plates were determined from the developed eigen-value equation. The effects of several parameters such as the boundary conditions and the length to thickness ratio of the plates on the buckling behaviours of the CNTRC plates were studied. It was found the FEM model of the CNTRC plate was able to show several patterns of buckling.