Bending Analysis of Linear and Non-Linear Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Nanocomposite Plates with Temperature-Dependent Material Properties

This article offers an extensive examination of the bending characteristics of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (CNT-RC) plates with material properties that depend on temperature. It investigates both uniform and non-uniform (functionally graded) arrangements of CNTs throughout the thickness of the plate, addressing an existing research gap. The effective material characteristics of the CNT-RC plates, taking into account the influences of temperature and moisture, are calculated using the extended rule of mixtures. The study employs first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) to establish the governing equations, integrating thermo-elastic relationships, which are numerically addressed through the finite element method. A validation study verifies the precision of the proposed methodology. A detailed parametric analysis is performed to assess the effects of crucial elements such as plate geometry (length-to-width and width-to-thickness ratios), CNT volume fraction, boundary conditions, and both linear and non-linear CNT distribution schemes on the bending behavior of the CNT-RC plates. This research provides significant insights into the design and optimization of CNT-reinforced composite materials for advanced engineering uses.