Probabilistic Progressive Failure of Multiwall Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composite Plate Under Transverse Patch Loading

Abstract

Second-order statistics of progressive failure response of multiwall carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (MWCNTRC) plate subjected to the transverse loading is presented. The mathematical model is based on the higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT) and von Karman nonlinear kinematics through the mechanics of the material approach. Second-order perturbation technique (SOPT) and polynomial chaos (PC) methods are used for the uncertainty quantification. The properties of the MWCNTRC plate are obtained by using the Halpin–Tsai model. Epoxy-matrix reinforced with multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) is considered as a new matrix and boron fiber is reinforced with this new matrix in an orthotropic way to get MWCNTRC. The distribution of volume fraction of carbon nanotube (CNT) in the epoxy matrix is considered in the functionally graded (FG) manner for thermo-mechanical loading. Stochastic progressive failure analysis (PFA) along with the probability of failure of MWCNTRC plate is performed by using the progressive damage model incorporated in the ply discount method and considering randomness in the material properties, the geometry of plate and loading. The conclusions are based on the effect of the parameters like stacking sequence, fiber volume fraction, temperature, CNT distribution, fiber material and number of CNT on the mean of first and last ply failure loads (FPFL and LPFL) and coefficient of variance (COV) of MWCNTRC plate. Stochastic failure analysis of MWCNTRC plate up to last ply failure by considering patch loading, nonlinearity and FG distribution of CNT is unique in this work.