Mechanics of the confined functionally graded porous arch reinforced by graphene platelets

This paper presents the stability mechanism of the confined functionally graded porous (FGP) arch reinforced by graphene platelets (GPLs). The Halpin-Tsai micromechanics theory is used to evaluate the distribution of Young's modulus in the cross-section of the arch. The Gaussian random field is employed to describe the porosity coefficient and mass density. Both pores and GPLs are distributed symmetrically to the mid-surface of the arch. Theoretical predictions are obtained to express the buckling load (load bearing capacity) based on the nonlinear thin-walled shell theory. Excellent numerical verification is obtained by comparing the buckling load, as well as the equilibrium paths with the theoretical predictions. Moreover, a confinement factor is defined to quantize the confinement effect between the confined and unconfined arches. Finally, the buckling load may be influenced by the following parameters: thermal rise field, porosity coefficient, central angle of the arch, weight fraction and geometric parameters of GPLs, friction coefficient, deformability of the medium. These parameters are analyzed and discussed.