Quasi-3D nonlinear flexural response of isogeometric functionally graded CNT-reinforced plates with various shapes with variable thicknesses

This exploration deals with the nonlinear large deflection behavior of nanocomposite plates reinforced with functionally graded carbon nanotube (FG-CNT) having various shapes with variable thickness. To accomplish this end, a hybrid quasi-3D plate model is constructed by incorporating trigonometric normal and sinusoidal transverse shear functions. The applied plate formulations have the capability to model the nanocomposite plate with only four independent variables which results in a significant reduction in the computational cost of computational calculations. Four different dispersion schemes for the CNT reinforcement are considered, the effective mechanical properties of each one are achieved via an extension of the rule of mixture. In addition, plate thickness is assumed to vary in convex, concave and linear patterns. For solving nonlinear problem, isogeometric technique using non-uniform rational B-spline basis functions is employed to integrate an accurate geometric description. It is revealed that at deeper parts of flexural response, the role of CNT dispersion pattern on the nonlinear flexural stiffness of FG-CNT reinforced composite plates gets lower importance. Moreover, it is demonstrated that by substituting linear thickness variation scheme with convex one, the influence of CNT dispersion pattern reduces, but by changing from the linear type to the concave one, this influence increases.

Automated summary

This study investigates the nonlinear large deflection behavior of nanocomposite plates reinforced with functionally graded carbon nanotubes. A hybrid quasi-3D plate model is utilized, and different dispersion schemes for the carbon nanotube reinforcement are considered. The study reveals the effects of CNT dispersion pattern and plate thickness variation on the nonlinear flexural stiffness of the composite plates.