Buckling analysis of carbon nanotube-reinforced functionally graded composite plates

A novel model for buckling analysis of carbon nanotube-reinforced functionally gradedplates (CNTs/FGP) was presented based on a re-modified couple stress theory. The equilibrium equations and relevant boundary conditions were derived from principle of minimum potential energy in conjunction with the first-order shear deformation theory. A simply supported CNTs/FGP was taken as illustrative example and analytically solved. The effects of material scale parameters, volume fraction and distributional patterns of the CNTs on the critical buckling load were investigated. The numerical results indicate that the critical buckling loads predicted by the present model are always higher than those by the classical macroscopic theory, and the differences of the two theories gradually increase with decreasing of the plate's geometric size; a small amount of CNTs can tangibly enhance the critical buckling load; the patterns of CNTs in matrix have conspicuous influences on the critical buckling load, which should be considered in engineering design.