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    Geometric nonlinear buckling behaviour of randomly distributed carbon nanotube and fibre reinforced hybrid stiffened composite plates: Effect of CNT agglomeration
    (Elsevier, 2025-10) Patel, Shuvendu Narayan; Kumar, Rajesh; Watts, Gaurav
    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.
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    Postbuckling behaviour of functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced stiffened composite plate under non-uniform loadings
    (Elsevier, 2025-11) Patel, Shuvendu Narayan; Watts, Gaurav; Kumar, Rajesh
    Understanding buckling and postbuckling characteristics of composite plates is essential to ensure lightweight, safe and optimized design of aerospace, marine and civil structures under in-plane loads. The main contribution of the study is investigation of buckling and postbuckling behaviour of functionally graded carbon nanotube (FG-CNT) reinforced stiffened composite plates under various non-uniform in-plane loading conditions. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are embedded through the plate thickness in both uniform distribution (UD) and functional gradation (FG) patterns including FG-X, FG-O and FG-V. Finite element method based on first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is employed in isoparametric formulation of the plate and stiffener. The plate is modelled with eight-noded degenerated shell element, while the stiffener is modelled by three-noded degenerated curved beam element. Layer-wise effective mechanical properties of FG-CNTRC plate are estimated by extended rule of mixture. Buckling loads are determined by solving eigenvalue equation, while postbuckling behaviour is studied by solving nonlinear equilibrium equation using arc-length method. Accuracy of the present formulation is verified with existing analytical, experimental, and finite element results. Results show that adopting functional gradation approach can enhance buckling and postbuckling performance for constant CNT volume fraction. The addition of stiffeners further improves structural stability of FG-CNTRC plates. A detailed parametric study examines the influence of CNT volume fraction, CNT configuration, number of stiffeners, and unidirectional and bidirectional non-uniform in-plane loading types on buckling and postbuckling performance of FG-CNTRC plates.
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    Postbuckling and postbuckled vibration behaviour of imperfect trapezoidal sandwich plates with FG-CNTRC face sheets under nonuniform loadings
    (Elsevier, 2022-08) Watts, Gaurav; Kumar, Rajesh; Patel, Shuvendu Narayan
    The present work investigates the postbuckling, and postbuckled vibration behaviour of initially imperfect trapezoidal sandwich plates with functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) face sheets and FG porous metal foam core under the influence of non-uniform edge compression. The plate's kinematic assumptions are based on a refined higher order theory and the strain-displacement relations include von Karman assumptions for geometrical nonlinearity. The weak form of governing equations derived using Hamilton's principle is transformed into a discretized form of algebraic equations using the element free Galerkin (EFG) method in conjunction with moving kriging (MK) interpolation functions. The pre-buckling stresses are determined using static analysis to evaluate accurate critical buckling loads. Modified Riks technique is used to trace nonlinear equilibrium paths. Parametric studies include the effect of CNT distribution in face sheets, porosity distribution in the core layer and edge loading conditions on the nonlinear stability and vibration behaviour of sandwich plates. New results on trapezoidal sandwich plates with initial imperfections, hitherto not found in the literature, are presented for the first time, which can be used as benchmark solutions for further research.
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    Postbuckling and postbuckled vibration behaviour of imperfect trapezoidal sandwich plates with FG-CNTRC face sheets under nonuniform loadings
    (Elsevier, 2022-08) Kumar, Rajesh; Watts, Gaurav; Patel, Shuvendu Narayan
    The present work investigates the postbuckling, and postbuckled vibration behaviour of initially imperfect trapezoidal sandwich plates with functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) face sheets and FG porous metal foam core under the influence of non-uniform edge compression. The plate's kinematic assumptions are based on a refined higher order theory and the strain-displacement relations include von Karman assumptions for geometrical nonlinearity. The weak form of governing equations derived using Hamilton's principle is transformed into a discretized form of algebraic equations using the element free Galerkin (EFG) method in conjunction with moving kriging (MK) interpolation functions. The pre-buckling stresses are determined using static analysis to evaluate accurate critical buckling loads. Modified Riks technique is used to trace nonlinear equilibrium paths. Parametric studies include the effect of CNT distribution in face sheets, porosity distribution in the core layer and edge loading conditions on the nonlinear stability and vibration behaviour of sandwich plates. New results on trapezoidal sandwich plates with initial imperfections, hitherto not found in the literature, are presented for the first time, which can be used as benchmark solutions for further research.