Imperfection and tangential edge constraint sensitivities of thermomechanical nonlinear response of pressure-loaded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite cylindrical panels

Abstract

Initial geometrical imperfection and elasticity of tangential edge constraints are inherent in real structures in general and composite cylindrical panels in particular. This paper investigates the nonlinear response of functionally graded nanocomposite cylindrical panels reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), exposed to thermal environments and subjected to uniform external pressure. The material properties of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composites (FG-CNTRC) are assumed to be temperature dependent, graded in the thickness direction, and are estimated by the extended rule of mixture through a micromechanical model. The governing equations are based on classical shell theory taking von Karman–Donnell nonlinearity, initial geometrical imperfection and tangential constraints of boundary edges into consideration. Approximate solutions of deflection and stress functions are assumed to satisfy simply supported boundary conditions, and the Galerkin method is applied to obtain closed-form expressions of load–deflection relations. An analysis of separate and simultaneous influences of carbon nanotube volume fraction and distribution types, geometrical parameters, varying degree of tangential edge constraints, thermal environments, geometrical imperfection and temperature dependence of material properties on the buckling behavior and load-carrying capacity of FG-CNTRC cylindrical panels results in interesting remarks and novelty of the present study.