Geometric nonlinear buckling behaviour of randomly distributed carbon nanotube and fibre reinforced hybrid stiffened composite plates: Effect of CNT agglomeration

Abstract

This article investigates buckling and geometric nonlinear buckling response of stiffened composite plates reinforced with randomly distributed carbon nanotubes and hybrid composites embedded with carbon nanotubes and carbon fibres, using the finite element method. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) tend to agglomerate into spherical inclusions within matrix due to weak Van der Waals force of attraction between them, which reduces mechanical properties and affects the structural performance. Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka homogenisation method, which incorporates CNT agglomeration, is employed to determine mechanical properties of randomly distributed carbon nanotube reinforced composite (RD-CNTRC) plates, which are further used in mixture rule to estimate mechanical properties of carbon nanotube and fibre reinforced hybrid composite (CNT-FRHC) plates. The plate and stiffener are modelled by isoparametric formulation based on first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT). The plate is modelled by eight-nodded degenerated shell element, and stiffener is modelled by 3-nodded curved beam element. Buckling analysis is performed by solving eigenvalue equation, and postbuckling behaviour is traced by Crisfield's arc-length method. Accuracy of present finite element formulation is validated with different examples from literature, followed by buckling and postbuckling analysis of RD-CNTRC and CNT-FRHC plates under different non-uniform loads. A distinct behaviour is observed in RD-CNTRC plates, where the transverse displacement reduces at the plate's centre due to increased stresses. A parametric investigation includes the influence of CNT volume fraction, agglomeration types, agglomeration parameters, loads, and stiffener parameters on buckling and postbuckling behaviour of RD-CNTRC and CNT-FRHC plates.