Static behavior of FG-CNT polymer nano composite plate under elevated non-uniform temperature fields

Abstract

In this paper, static behavior of functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composite plate under non uniform elevated temperature fields has been investigated using finite element method. The effective material properties of the composite plate are obtained using the extended rule of mixture along with carbon nanotube efficiency parameters (to include size-dependent material properties). Parameter studies are carried out to analyze influence of boundary conditions of the plate, type of functional grading of the carbon nanotube and type of non uniform thermal loading on static behavior of the functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite plate. It is found that static behavior of the composite plate has been significantly influenced by nature of temperature field and nature of functional grading of carbon nanotubes. Static bending deflection of the plate increases with volume fraction of the carbon nanotube except for unsymmetrical distribution of carbon nanotube. � 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.