Quasi-3D isogeometric buckling analysis method for advanced composite plates in thermal environments

Abstract

A quasi-3D isogeometric thermal buckling analysis method for advanced composite plates such as functionally graded plates is presented. A new quasi-3D plate theory for the numerical analysis, which enables the normal deformations to be considered with only four unknowns, is introduced. A simple trigonometric normal shape function that is able to accurately express the through-thickness displacement while facilitating the numerical computation is developed. The refined quasi-3D theory is combined with the non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS)-based isogeometric analysis (IGA) which satisfies the C1-continuity of the displacement field required by the proposed theory to resolve the thermal buckling issue. Several numerical examples which entail buckling analysis of diverse types of functionally graded plates including the one with a complex cutout under different temperature gradients through the thickness are simulated to validate the quasi-3D isogeometric approach, and to explore the thermal buckling response of functionally graded plates. The present quasi-3D IGA is concluded to be accurate and effective numerical method, and significance of including the thickness expansion effects in the thermal buckling assessment of functionally graded plates is confirmed.