Buckling and postbuckling of functionally graded multilayer graphene platelet-reinforced composite beams. (1st February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Jie; Wu, Helong; Kitipornchai, Sritawat
• Is Part Of: Composite structures. Volume 161(2017)
• Page Start: 111
• Page End: 118
• Publication Date: 2017-02-01
• Subjects: Buckling -- Postbuckling -- Functionally graded nanocomposite beam -- Graphene platelet -- Differential quadrature method; Composite construction -- Periodicals; Composites -- Périodiques; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2016.11.048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-8223

Abstract

Abstract: This paper investigates the buckling and postbuckling behaviours of functionally graded multilayer nanocomposite beams reinforced with a low content of graphene platelets (GPLs) resting on an elastic foundation. It is assumed that GPLs are randomly oriented and uniformly dispersed in each individual GPL-reinforced composite (GPLRC) layer with its weight fraction varying layerwise along the thickness direction. The effective material properties of each layer are estimated by the Halpin-Tsai micromechanics model. The nonlinear governing equations of the beam on an elastic foundation are derived within the framework of the first-order shear deformation beam theory then are converted into a nonlinear algebraic system by using the differential quadrature method. A detailed parametric study is carried out to examine the effects of the distribution pattern, weight fraction, geometry and size of GPL nanofillers, foundation stiffness parameters, slenderness ratio and boundary conditions on the buckling and postbuckling behaviours. The results show that GPLs have a remarkable reinforcing effect on the buckling and postbuckling of nanocomposite beams.