Applied Mathematics and Mechanics (English Edition) ›› 2022, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (12): 1821-1840.doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10483-022-2917-7

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Nonlinear in-plane thermal buckling of rotationally restrained functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite shallow arches under uniform radial loading

Cheng LI1,2, Chengxiu ZHU2, C. W. LIM3, Shuang LI2   

  1. 1. School of Automotive Engineering, Changzhou Institute of Technology, Changzhou 213032, Jiangsu Province, China;
    2. School of Rail Transportation, Soochow University, Suzhou 215131, Jiangsu Province, China;
    3. Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Ave, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
  • Received:2022-07-14 Revised:2022-08-22 Published:2022-11-30
  • Contact: Shuang LI, E-mail: lishuang@suda.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 11972240 and 51875374)

Abstract: The nonlinear in-plane instability of functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) shallow circular arches with rotational constraints subject to a uniform radial load in a thermal environment is investigated. Assuming arches with thickness-graded material properties, four different distribution patterns of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered. The classical arch theory and Donnell’s shallow shell theory assumptions are used to evaluate the arch displacement field, and the analytical solutions of buckling equilibrium equations and buckling loads are obtained by using the principle of virtual work. The critical geometric parameters are introduced to determine the criteria for buckling mode switching. Parametric studies are carried out to demonstrate the effects of temperature variations, material parameters, geometric parameters, and elastic constraints on the stability of the arch. It is found that increasing the volume fraction of CNTs and distributing CNTs away from the neutral axis significantly enhance the bending stiffness of the arch. In addition, the pretension and initial displacement caused by the temperature field have significant effects on the buckling behavior.

Key words: functional gradient, carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforcement, buckling, in-plane instability, nonlinear

2010 MSC Number: 

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