Isogeometric Analysis of Functionally-Graded Graphene Platelets Reinforced Porous Nanocomposite Plates Using a Refined Plate Theory

Abstract

In this study, we propose a novel and effective computational approach for free and forced vibration analyses of functionally graded (FG) porous plates with graphene platelets (GPLs) reinforcement under various loads. To this end, the outstanding features of isogeometric analysis (IGA) are first combined with the four-variable refined plate theory (RPT). The non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) are adopted to obtain the [Formula: see text]-continuity essential to the RPT model. The various distributions of internal pores as well as GPLs with uniform or non-uniform properties along the plate’s thickness are investigated. The effective elastic properties of the material models are obtained by the Halpin–Tsai micromechanics model for Young’s modulus, the rule of mixture for Poisson’s ratio and mass density. The Newmark’s time integration scheme is implemented to obtain the solutions of the forced vibration problems. Numerical examples are carried out to investigate the effects of various key parameters such as porosity coefficient, GPL weight fraction, porosity distribution, as well as GPL dispersion pattern, on the behaviors of the plate structure.