Buckling analysis of thin rectangular FG-CNTRC plate subjected to arbitrarily distributed partial edge compression loads based on differential quadrature method

This paper investigates the buckling behaviors of thin rectangular functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) plate subjected to the arbitrarily distributed partial edge compression loads. Three distribution types of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered and the effective material properties of carbon nanotube reinforced composite are given according to the extended rule of mixture, in which the distribution uncertainty of CNTs is also taken into account. Based on the differential quadrature method (DQM) and work equivalent method, the pre-buckling in-plane stress distribution of thin rectangular FG-CNTRC plate are determined firstly. Then the accurate critical buckling loads and buckling modes of FG-CNTRC plate are consequently obtained. By comparing with the results in published literatures, the feasibility and accuracy of present numerical method are validated. Finally, the systematic parametric studies are carried out to elaborate the effects of distribution type, volume fraction and distribution uncertainty of CNTs as well as the distribution width, position and distribution type of partial edge compression loads on the buckling behaviors of thin rectangular FG-CNTRC plate for the first time.