Nonlocal bending and buckling of agglomerated CNT-Reinforced composite nanoplates

The study presents a nonlocal bending and buckling analysis of agglomerated carbon nanotube-reinforced composite nanoplates resting on a Pasternak foundation. A two-parameter micromechanics model incorporating agglomeration is used to obtain the effective mechanical properties of the nanoplates. Using Hamilton's principle, the governing differential equations are derived based on the Eringen's nonlocal elasticity theory and the sinusoidal shear deformation theory. The deflection and critical buckling load of the nanoplates are obtained by Navier's analytical solution. To verify the approach, the results are compared with experimental, analytical, and numerical findings in the literature. Detailed parametric studies are then performed to discuss the influences of the following parameters on the static bending and buckling response of the nanoplates with agglomerated CNTs: degree of agglomeration, nonlocal material scale parameter, temperature, foundation properties, volume fraction of CNTs, and length-to-thickness aspect ratio for the plate.