Thermomechanical nonlinear stability of pressure-loaded functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite doubly curved panels with tangentially restrained edges

Abstract

Geometrically nonlinear response of doubly curved panels reinforced by carbon nanotubes exposed to thermal environments and subjected to uniform external pressure are presented in this paper. Carbon nanotubes are reinforced into isotropic matrix through uniform and functionally graded distributions. Material properties of constituents are assumed to be temperature dependent, and effective elastic moduli of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite are determined according to an extended rule of mixture. Basic equations for carbon nanotube-reinforced composite doubly curved panels are established within the framework of first-order shear deformation theory. Analytical solutions are assumed, and Galerkin method is used to derive closed-form expressions of nonlinear load–deflection relation. Separate and combined effects of carbon nanotube distribution and volume fraction, elasticity of in-plane constraint, elevated temperature, initial imperfection, geometrical ratios and stiffness of elastic foundations on the nonlinear stability of nanocomposite doubly curved panels are analyzed through numerical examples.