A Closed-Form Solution for Thermal Buckling of Piezoelectric FGM Hybrid Cylindrical Shells with Temperature Dependent Properties

A thermal buckling analysis is presented for simply supported functionally graded cylindrical shells that are integrated with surface-bonded piezoelectric actuators and are subjected to the combined action of thermal load and constant applied actuator voltage. The temperature dependent material properties of the functionally graded cylindrical shell are assumed to vary as a power form of the thickness coordinate. Derivation of the equations is based on the classical shell theory. The piezoelectric FGM cylindrical shell is assumed to be under two types of thermal loadings, namely; uniform temperature rise and non-linear temperature distribution through the thickness. The thermal and mechanical problems are assumed to be uncoupled and solved separately. Results for the critical buckling temperature differences are obtained in closed form solution, which are convenient to use in engineering design applications. The effects of the applied actuator voltage, shell geometry, and volume fraction exponent of functionally graded material on the buckling load are investigated.