On the pressure–deflection relations and instability of carbon-based composite nonlinear pipes

Abstract

In this paper, for the first time, the nonlinear buckling of curved pipes is investigated for different distributions of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in the matrix. The curved pipe is subjected to uniformly distributed transverse pressure and experiences uniform temperature rise. Additionally, the pipe is in one-sided contact with an elastic nonlinear medium. Defined thickness-dependent and temperature-dependent material properties of SWCNTs are taken from the results of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, well-established in the literature on the subject. Five technologically justified types of CNT distributions are considered. Shen’s rule of the mixture is applied to determine the effective properties of CNT-based composites. To avoid determining shear correction factor, the higher-order shear deformation theory is used. The nonlinear components of the Green–Lagrange strain tensor and the principle of virtual displacements are applied to derive the nonlinear system of partial differential equations of motion of the curved pipe. The solution to formulated boundary value problem is obtained by the perturbation technique for both simply-supported and clamped-clamped boundary conditions. The pressure–deflection curves of the curved pipe are obtained and discussed. The investigation of snap-buckling intensity and upper/lower limit load of the curved pipe is presented and new insights for its nonlinear stability are presented. For instance, it is shown that the V-type of CNT distribution profile affects on lower deflection of the curved pipe while the higher deflection exists for the Λ-type profile.