Composite Structures 216 (2019) 406–414

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Composite Structures
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/compstruct

Numerical buckling analysis of graded CNT-reinforced composite sandwich T

shell structure under thermal loading
Kulmani Mehara, Subrata Kumar Pandab, , Yuvarajan Devarajana, Gautam Choubeya
⁎

a
Mechanical Engineering Department, MITS, Madanapalle, Andra Pradesh 517325, India
b
Mechanical Engineering Department, NIT Rourkela, Rourkela, Odisha 769008, India

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Keywords: The buckling load parameters of the graded nanotube sandwich structure reported in this article under the
Buckling influence of uniform thermal loading. The corresponding properties of the graded nanotube sandwich evaluated
FEM via the extended rule of mixture including temperature dependent properties of each constituent. The nanotube
FG-CNT structural model derived mathematically using a higher-order polynomial displacement to maintain the required
HSDT kinematics
shear stress continuity and thermal distortion via Green-Lagrange strain. Further, the variational technique is
Shell panel
Sandwich
adopted to obtain the governing equilibrium equation of the sandwich structural panel and the subsequent
algebraic form achieved using the isoparametric displacement finite element steps. The computational buckling
load parameter predicted using the own MATLAB code with the help of the current mathematical model. The
model accuracy and the consistency are established through simultaneous convergence and validity study with
available published results. Finally, the detail applicability of the current higher-order model is highlighted
through a series of numerical examples and corresponding inferences.

1. Introduction buckling behaviour of the functionally graded sandwich rectangular

Sandwich structures possess various engineering applications in
aerospace, marine science, automobile, etc. Because, sandwich struc-
tures demonstrate high structural performance with lightweight, which
is most desirable in modern smart structures. In this regards number of
scientists and researchers are working to analyze the structural per-
formance of sandwich structure [1–6]. However, due to the discrepancy
of the material of core and face sheets, the stiffness of the composite
structure is sudden change at the interface of core and face, that’s lead
for the delamination. Effect of delamination on the vibration and
transient behaviour of layered composite structure based on the first-
order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is investigated using finite ele-
ment method (FEM) [7]. Szekrenyes [8–10] used the classical plate
theory, FSDT and shear deformation theory of third-order to examine
the fracture and stress behaviour analysis of internally defected com-
posite plate. The internal defects of the laminated composite structure
lead to the fracture and crack growth on the composite. In order to
eliminate the delamination phenomenon of the composite, functionally
graded material (FGM) has been implemented on the sandwich struc-
ture. In FGM, the material properties vary smoothly in the thickness
direction or multiple directions [11–14], which reduce the chance of
delamination. Tung [15] investigated the bending, buckling and post-
composite structure under thermo-mechanical load using FSDT and
von-Karman based geometrical nonlinearity. Additionally, different
refine shear deformation theories [16,17] adopted to evaluate the cri-
tical buckling load parameter for the analysis of FGM sandwich shell
structure. Moreover, the mode shapes are one of the important aspect in
buckling analysis to evaluate the deformation kinematics of the com-
posite structure [18]. Bouderba et al. [19] implemented the refine plate
theory to examine the static behaviour of the elastically founded
functionally graded composite plate. Natarajan and Manickam [20]
used the different type shear deformation theories to formulate the
mathematical model of the functionally graded sandwich plate and
solved them using FEM. They have used two different types of func-
tionally graded plate. In the first case, the properties of core is graded in
thickness direction and the second case; both face sheets are function-
ally graded. Kiani and Eslami [21] computed the buckling and post-
buckling behaviour of functionally graded composite flat panel by FSDT
and von-Karman based geometrical nonlinearity. In which, it is as-
sumed that both face sheets are functionally graded and the core is pure
metallic. Tounsi et al. [22] used the trigonometric shear deformation
theory to illustrate the flexural behaviour of the functionally graded
sandwich plate under the thermoelastic load. Further, the static, vi-
bration and buckling behaviours of the functionally graded structure

⁎
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: pandask@nitrkl.ac.in (S. Kumar Panda).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2019.03.002
Received 11 December 2018; Received in revised form 10 February 2019; Accepted 1 March 2019
Available online 02 March 2019
0263-8223/ © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
K. Mehar, et al. Composite Structures 216 (2019) 406–414

and sandwich structure have been computed using various shear de-
formation theories [23–31]. The isogeometric approach including the
NURBS based FEM are utilized to analyse the bending, frequency and
buckling behaviour of the functionally graded and laminated composite
structures [32,33]. Fereidoon et al. [34] proposed a three-dimensional
finite element model with a multiscale approach to illustrate the effect
of the CNT on the delamination phenomena and the effectiveness of
CNT in reduction of the crack growth for the composite structure. Using
the concept of FGM, numbers of the research articles have been pub-
lished to illustrate the effectiveness of the CNT as the reinforcement
material [35–39]. First time in 2009, Shen [40] proposed a nonlinear
mathematical model of functionally graded carbon nanotube (FG-CNT)
reinforced composite to highlight the effectiveness of the CNT to en-
hance the nonlinear static behaviour of the composite plate. In which,
he proposed two different types CNT distribution patterns, UD (CNTs
are uniformly distributed throughout the thickness) and FG (volume
fraction of the CNT is zero at the bottom surface and linearly increases
toward the top surface). Further, by improving the functionally graded
concept, five different distribution patterns are proposed to obtain the
better structural performance such as: UD, FG-V, FG-X (both top and
Fig. 1. FG-CNT reinforced composite sandwich shell panel.
bottom surfaces are CNT rich and linearly decreasing toward the mid-
plane), FG-O (Mid-plane is CNT rich and linearly decreasing toward
both top and bottom surfaces), FG-Λ (CNT volume fraction is zero at the structure, respectively. Composite shell structure has got ample appli-
top surface and linearly increasing toward the bottom surface). Zhang cations over the flat panel, due to its high stability and load carrying
et al. [41] studied the axial load carrying capacity of functionally capacity. Today, various types of shell geometries are applied in the
graded composite plate reinforced with CNT via an element free IMLS- various industries. However, the spherical (SPH), elliptical (ELL), cy-
Ritz method. Shen and Zhu [42] computed the axial load carrying ca- lindrical (CYL), hyperbolic (HYP) and flat panel (plate) are well-known
pacity of pre-buckled composite model reinforced with CNT and for- geometries and they are defined with respect the radius of curvature (R1
mulated using higher-order shear deformation theories (HSDT) kine- and R2) and it can be better understood from the Table 1.
matic. Later, Shen et al. [43] studied the natural frequency of thermally The grading of the reinforcement material can enhance the stiffness
buckled sandwich structure with FG-CNT reinforced face sheets. Kiani of the composite shell structure and it may be graded in thickness or
[44] investigated the mechanical buckling behaviour of the FG-CNT multiple directions. Most commonly used grading patterns of the FG-
reinforced composite plate subjected the parabolic mechanical load. CNT reinforced structure are UD, FG-X, FG-O, FG-V and FG-Λ [58,59].
Natarajan et al. [45] computed the structural responses of the sandwich Using these five grading patterns on the face sheets of the FG-CNT re-
plate reinforced with FG-CNT using various shear deformation theories inforced sandwich shell panel, four different types graded sandwich
up to thirteen degrees of freedom at each node and compared them. In structures are formulated to examine the thermal buckling behaviour of
some cases, stretching effect is also play major role on the structural the FG-CNT reinforced sandwich structure under the influence of var-
performance analysis [46,47]. In order to the above many research ious design parameters. Such as [59,60]:
articles have been published to highlight the structural responses of
FGM [48–52] and CNT reinforced composite [53–57]. • FG-UU: both face-sheets are made of the UD-CNT-reinforced com-
The reported literature indicates that the FSDT kinematics has been posite
widely adopted for the modeling purpose of CNT reinforced structure VCNT = VCNT - bottom and top face sheets
whereas the implementation of the higher-order polynomial kinematics
VCNT = 0 - middle layer (1)
did not receive much attention. To the best of authors’ knowledge, the
thermal buckling analysis of the nanotube-reinforced functionally
graded sandwich shell panel using the higher-order polynomial kine- • FG-ɅV: top face-sheet is made of the FG-V type CNT reinforced
matics in combination with Green-Lagrange type of strain not reported composite and bottom face-sheet is made of FG-Ʌ type CNT re-
in the open literature. This is the first-time the equivalent single layer inforced composite
higher-order kinematics in conjunction with large deformation im-
plemented to examine the thermal buckling responses of FG-CNT re-
VCNT = 2 ( h1 z
h1 h 0 )V CNT - bottom face sheet
inforced sandwich shell structural panel. The eigenvalue type of VCNT = 0 - middle layer
buckling equation is derived using the variational technique con-
sidering the geometrical distortion due to temperature loading and
VCNT = 2 ( z h2
h3 h2 )V CNT
- top face sheet
(2)
solved numerically via isoparametric displacement controlled FEM. The
model accuracy has been checked initially and extended to evaluate the • FG-OO: both face-sheets are made of the FG-O type CNT-reinforced
effects of variable design associated parameters on the thermal buckling composite
load with the help of a series of numerical examples.

2. Theory and formulations Table 1

Curvature of shell geometries.
In this present work, the buckling behaviour of the FG-CNT re- Curvature Geometry
inforced composite sandwich shell panel is computed and the geometry
of the sandwich structure is presented in Fig. 1. The sandwich structure SPH ELL CYL HYP Plate
is composed of three layers, two layers of equal thickness (hf) at the top
R1 R R R R Infinite
and bottom and one middle layer known as the core of thickness (hc). a, R2 R 2R Infinite −R Infinite
b and h are the length, width and the total thickness of the sandwich

407
K. Mehar, et al. Composite Structures 216 (2019) 406–414

Fig. 2. Grading patterns of FG-CNT reinforced sandwich plate.

respectively. Subscripts, CNT and m represent for the fiber (carbon

VCNT = 2 1 ( 2z
h1
h1
h0
h0
)V CNT
- bottom face sheet nanotube) and matrix (polymer), respectively. Subscripts 1 and 2 re-
VCNT = 0 - middle layer present for the longitudinal and transverse direction of the CNT re-
VCNT = 2 1 ( 2z
h3
h3
h2
h2
)V CNT
- top face sheet
(3)
inforcement in the matrix, respectively. 1, 2 and 3 are the effective-
ness parameters of the CNT, which is calculated by comparing the
material properties of CNT reinforced composite obtained via rule of
• FG-XX: both face-sheets are made of the FG-X type CNT-reinforced mixture and molecular dynamic simulation [61].
Similarly, the effective Poisson’s ratio (v12 ) and thermal expansion
composite
coefficients ( 1 and 2 ) of the FG-CNT reinforced face sheets are com-
VCNT = 2 ( 2z
h1
h1
h0
h0
)V CNT
- bottom face sheet
puted with the help of standard formulae as in [60]:

VCNT = 0 - middle layer µ12 = VCNT µ11, CNT + Vm µm (9)

VCNT = 2 ( 2z
h3
h3
h2
h2
)V CNT
- top face sheet
(4) 1 = 1CNT VCNT Y1CNT+ m Vm Ym
VCNT Y1CNT + Vm Ym (10)
In which, VCNT is the average volume fraction of nanotube in each
face-sheet. VCNT is the graded volume fraction of nanotube graded in the 2 = (1 + µ12CNT ) 2CNT VCNT + (1 + µm ) m Vm µ12 1 (11)
thickness direction. The grading patterns can be better understood from
In the present analysis, the HSDT mid-plane kinematic model is used
Fig. 2. It demonstrates the distribution of nanotubes within the com-
to formulate the mathematical model of the CNT reinforced composite
posite for different grading patterns as explained in Eqs. (1)–(4). [16]
sandwich shell structure. The global displacement u, v and w are the
The effective volume fraction of the matrix (Vm) graded in the
polynomial function of nine unknown parameters u0, v0, w0, u1, v1, u2,
transverse direction can compute as
v2, u3 and v3 [62]. The global displacement at any point of sandwich
Vm = 1 VCNT (5) structure can be calculated as
The variation of the CNT and matrix volume fraction leads to ma- u = u0 + zu1 + z 2u2 + z 3u3
terial properties variation and the graded material properties of the v = v0 + zv1 + z 2v2 + z 3v3
sandwich structure are computed via modified rule of mixture as fol- w = w0 (12)
lows
where, u0, v0 and w0 are the mid-plane displacements component of any
Y1 = 1 VCNT Y1, CNT + Vm Ym (6) point in X, Y and Z-direction, respectively. Further, few variables in the
VCNT V equation represent the rotation of normal (u1 and v1) about the Y and X-
2
= + m axes and higher order terms u2, v2, u3 and v3 indicated from the ex-
Y2 Y2, CNT Ym (7)
pansion of Taylor’s series at mid-plane (z = 0) of the composite struc-
VCNT V ture. All nine unknown parameters are defined at the mid-plane (z = 0),
3
+ m
=
( ),
2u
such that u 0 = u , v0 = v , w0 = w , u1 = , ,
u v 1
G12 G12, CNT Gm (8) z
v1 = z
u2 = 2 z2

( ), u = ( ) and v = ( ).
2v 3u 3v
In which, Y and G are Young’s modulus and shear modulus,
1 1 1
v2 = 3 3
2 z2 6 z3 6 z3

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K. Mehar, et al. Composite Structures 216 (2019) 406–414

Now, Eq. (12) is expressed in the matrix form as: WT = V ( 1

2
{(u ,x ) 2
1
+ (v,x )2 + (w,x )2} NxT + 2 {(u ,y )2 + (v ,y )2 + (w, y ) 2} NyT

{ } = [H1 ]{ 0} (13) + {u,x u, y + v ,x v ,y + w,x w, y } NxyT dV )

In which, { } = {u v w}T and { 0} = {u 0 v0 w0 u1 v1 u2 v2 u3 v3 }T . [H1] T NxT NxyT 0 0 0 0
u ,x u ,x
is thickness co-ordinate matrix and it can be expressed as u, y NxyT NyT 0 0 0 0 u ,y
v ,x 0 0 NxT NxyT 0 0 v ,x
or WT = v, y v, y dV
1 0 0 z 0 z2 0 z 3 0 V 0 0 NxyT NyT 0 0
[H1] = 0 1 0 0 z 0 z 2 0 z 3 w ,x 0 0 0 0 NxT NxyT w ,x
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 (14) w ,y w ,y
0 0 0 0 NxyT NyT

The strain field of the FG-CNT reinforced composite shell panel is or WT = V

{ G}T [ST ]{ G } dV
written as [63,64]: or WT = V
{¯G}T [HG]T [ST ][HG]{¯G} dV
or WT = {¯G}T [DG]{¯G} dxdy
u w
+
x R1 (20)
xx v w
y
+ R2 where, {¯G} = {u,x u, y v,x v, y w,x w, y }T is the geometric strain vector
yy
u
+
v
+
2w at mid-plane and [HG ]6 × 24 = [I2 z × I2 z 2 × I2 z 3 × I2] is geometrical
{}= xy =
zx
y x R12
thickness coordinate matrix, respectively. [I2] is a unit matrix of 6 × 6.
u w u
yz z
+ x R1
[DG]24×24 is the material property matrix. where,
h /2
v w v [DG] = h /2 [HG]T [ST ][HG ] dz and
+
z y R2 (15) It is well-known that the exact method gives an accurate result.
However, the implementation of the exact technique for the complex
By substituting the values of u, v and w, the strain tensor can be problem either geometry or material is not very straightforward. Hence,
rearranged in the following forms the numerical methods like the FEM used to obtain the approximate
results increased rapidly in the last few decades. Hence, the FEM is
0
x k x1 k x2 k x3 adopted to obtain the buckling responses of the FG-CNT reinforced
0
y k y1 k y2 k y3 sandwich structure. In this regard, a nine noded isoparametric element
0 1 2 3 with nine degrees of freedom per node has been used to mesh the
{}= xy +z k xy + z2 k xy + z3 k xy or { } = [H2]{¯}
0 1 2 3
sandwich panel.
xz kzx kzx kzx Now, the displacement vector of mid-plane can be expressed in the
0 1 2 3
yz k yz k yz k yz (16) form of interpolation function (Ni) and nodal displacement vector
{ 0i} as follows [65]
In which, {¯} = { x0 y0 xy
0 0 0 k 1 k1 k 1 k 1 k1 k 2 k 2 k 2 k 2 k 2 k 3 k 3 k 3 k 3 k 3 } ,
xz yz x y xy zx yz x y xy zx yz x y xy zx yz 9
[H2 ]5 × 20 = [I1 z × I1 z 2 × I1 z 3 × I1] and [I1] is a 5 × 5 unit matrix. { 0} = Ni { 0i}
The strain-stress relationship of CNT reinforced sandwich structure i=1 (21)
can be written as
where, { 0i} = [u0i v 0i w 0i u1i v1i u2i v 2i u3i v3i ]T
The strain vectors in the form of nodal displacement vector can be
Q11 Q12 0 0 0 xx
xx 1 written as:
yy Q21 Q22 0 0 0 yy
2
xy = 0 0 Q66 0 0 xy 0 T or { } {¯} = [B]{ 0i } (22)
zx 0 0 0 Q44 0 zx 0
0 {¯G} = [BG ]{ 0i} (23)
yz 0 0 0 0 Q55 yz

where, [B] and [BG] are the matrices in the form of the product of shape
= [Q]{ T} (17)
functions and differential operators, The detail of matrix [B] and [BG]
where, Q11 = E1/(1 µ12 µ 21) , Q22 = E2/(1 µ12 µ 21) , Q12 = can be seen in [56].
12 E2/(1 µ12 µ 21) , Q44 = G13 , Q55 = G23 and Q66 = G12 . Further, shear The governing equation of the functionally graded sandwich curved
modulus values are taken as G13 = G12 and G23 = 1.2 × G12 . ‘ΔT’ is the panel for the buckling analysis is acquired using the variational prin-
rise of temperature. ciple and written as:
The total strain energy of the sandwich shell panel can be written as: = (U WT ) = 0 (24)

U=
1
(
h /2
{ }T { } dz ) dxdy The final form of equilibrium equation of the sandwich structure for
2 h /2
1 h /2 the buckling analysis can be rearranged in the form of eigenvalue and
or U = 2 ( h /2
{¯}T [H2]T {Q}[H2]{¯} dz ) dxdy eigenvectors as:
1 h /2
or U = 2 ( h /2
{ 0 }T [B]T [H2]T {Q}[H2][B]{ 0 } dz ) dxdy (([KL]) + [K G ]){ } = 0 (25)
cr
1
or U = 2
{ 0 }T [B ]T [D][B]{ 0 } dxdy (18) where, [KL] = [B ]T [D][B] dxdy is linear stiffness matrix and
[K G] = [BG ]T [DG][BG] dxdy is geometrical stiffness matrix obtained
h /2
where, [D] = h /2 [H2]T {Q}[H2] dz by considering the geometrical distortion due to the external thermal
The FG-CNT composite sandwich shell panel subjected to in-plane force. Additionally, cr is the critical buckling load factor.
thermal load and it can calculate as: For the numerical analysis following type of support conditions are
used at the edges of the composite panel.
h /2
{fT } = {NxT NyT NxyT 0 0}T = [Q]{ 0 0 0}T T dz
h /2
11 22 (19)
(a) For simply supported conditions (S):
The work done due to temperature rise can be calculated as:
u0 = w0 = u1 = u2 = u3 = 0 at y = 0, b and

409
K. Mehar, et al. Composite Structures 216 (2019) 406–414

Table 2
Material properties of PMMA.
Properties Values

Young’s modulus (Ym) (3.52–0.0034 T) × 109Pa

Density (ρm) 1150 kg/m3
Thermal expansion coefficient (αm) 45(1 + 0.0005 ΔT) × 10−6

v0 = w0 = v1 = v2 = v3 = 0 at × = 0, a

(b) For clamped conditions (C):

u0 = v0 = w0 = u1 = v1 = u2 = v2 = u3 = v3 = 0 for both x = 0, a
and y = 0, b.
By the combination of the above five different set of support con-
ditions are used, such as:
CCCC- All edges clamped
CSCS- Two opposite edges at x = 0 and a are clamped and other two
are simply supported
SCSC- Two opposite edges at y = 0 and b are clamped and other two
are simply supported
SSSS- All edges are simply supported
CFCF- Two opposite edges at x = 0 and a are clamped
Fig. 3. Convergence study of FG-CNT reinforced composite sandwich shell
3. Results and discussion panel for different core to face thickness ratio.

CNT and PMMA (poly (methyl methacrylate)) are used as the re- important steps to demonstrate the accuracy of the finite element
inforcement and binder material, respectively. Table 2 depicted the model. Also, the convergence study helps to minimize the total com-
temperature dependent material properties of the PMMA [66]. How- putation cost using the optimal number of element size. In this regard,
ever, the material properties of the CNT are polynomial function of the convergence behaviour of the FG-CNT reinforced composite sphe-
temperature and expressed in Eq. (26) and the effectiveness parameters rical sandwich shell panel checked by computing the thermal buckling
of the CNT is presented in Table 3 [67,68]. temperature for variable mesh size and picturized in Fig. 3. In which,
buckling temperature is computed for the variable core to face thick-
E1CNT (KPa) = 6.3998 × 109 4.338417 × 106T + 7.43 × 103T 2
ness ratio under uniformly distributed thermal fields with other design
4.45833T 3 parameters as V NT = 0.12 , R/a = 5, a/h = 40, a/b = 1 and FG-ΛV.
E2CNT (KPa) = 8.02155 × 109 5.420375 × 106T + 9.275 × 103T 2 Fig. 3 depicted the fast convergence rate and well converged at (6 × 6)
5.5625T 3 and the same size used to perform the further numerical analysis.
G12CNT (KPa) = 1.40755 × 109 + 3.476208 × 106T 6.965 × 103T 2 After convergence study, it is essential to analysis the validity of the
finite element model in this regard; one comparative analysis is per-
+ 4.479167T 3
formed for the thermal buckling temperature of the FGM sandwich
6 6
1CNT (1/ K ) = 1.12515 × 10 + 0.0229169T × 10 plate for the different core to face thickness ratios, power law indices
2.887 × 10 11T 2 + 1.13625 × 10 14T 3
and length to thickness ratios and tabulated in Table 4. The numerical
2CNT (1/ K ) = 5.43715 × 10 6 0.984625 × 10 10T + 2.9 × 10 13T 2 data are compared with the various types of kinematic theory (CLPT,
17T 3 FSDT and HSDT) provided in Zhenkour and Sobhi [69]. In which,
+ 1.25 × 10
(26)
Table 4
To examine the critical buckling temperature, a customized com-
Comparison study of buckling temperature of FGM sandwich plate.
puter code has been developed in MATLAB environment based on the
developed HSDT kinematic model and solved using the FEM. Moreover, hc/hf Power law Theory Length to thickness ratio (a/h)
index (k)
a selective numerical integration technique has been adopted i.e. full 5 10 15 25 50
(3 × 3) and reduced (2 × 2) form for the analysis purpose [65]. Fur-
ther, the consistency and accuracy of the developed model are checked 0 0.5 HSDT 2.7295 0.7909 0.3632 0.1334 0.0337
by the convergence and comparison studies. [Present]
FSDT [69] 2.8351 0.8004 0.3644 0.1329 0.0334
CLPT [69] 3.3456 0.8364 0.3717 0.1338 0.0335
3.1. Convergence and comparison study 2 HSDT 2.4875 0.7066 0.3231 0.1183 0.0299
[Present]
In finite element analysis, the convergence study is one of the FSDT [69] 2.5736 0.7136 0.3237 0.1178 0.0296
CLPT [69] 2.9620 0.7405 0.3291 0.1185 0.0296

Table 3 2 0.5 HSDT 2.7315 0.7969 0.3665 0.1347 0.0340

Effective parameter of CNT. [Present]
FSDT [69] 2.8466 0.8075 0.3680 0.1343 0.0338
V NT 0.12 0.17 0.28 CLPT [69] 3.3815 0.8454 0.3757 0.1353 0.0338
2 HSDT 2.3037 0.6569 0.3006 0.1101 0.0278
η1 0.137 0.142 0.141 [Present]
η2 1.022 1.626 1.585 FSDT [69] 2.3954 0.6644 0.3014 0.1097 0.0275
η3 0.715 1.138 1.109 CLPT [69] 2.7580 0.6895 0.3064 0.1103 0.0276

410
K. Mehar, et al.
Fig. 4. Effect of aspect ratio on critical buckling temperature of FG-CNT-re-
inforced sandwich shell panel.
Fig. 5. Effect of curvature ratio on critical buckling temperature of FG-CNT-
reinforced sandwich shell panel.
Titanium alloy (Em = 66.2 GPa, υm = 0.3 and αm = 10.6 × 10−6/°C)
and Zirconia (Ec = 244.27 GPa, υc = 0.3 and αc = 12.766 × 10−6/°C)
are used as metal and ceramic, respectively. The thermal buckling
temperature obtained using the present numerical model has a slightly
smaller magnitude than the results presented in the literature due to the
difference in the kinematic model.
3.2. Parametric study
After the evaluation of convergence and the corresponding valida-
tion study, the numerical analysis extended to obtain the responses for
different design dependent parameters. The thermal buckling load
parameters of the sandwich shell panel is computed for various geo-
metrical and structural parameters. Fig. 4 illustrated the critical buck-
ling temperature of FG-ΛV type graded CNTRC sandwich shell panel for
variable aspect ratio with other design parameters as SSSS, hc/hf = 1,
a/h = 50, VCNT = 0.12 and R/a = 5. The critical buckling temperature
of the sandwich shell panel structure is increasing when the aspect ratio
411
Composite Structures 216 (2019) 406–414
Fig. 6. Effect of length to thickness ratio on critical buckling temperature of FG-
CNT-reinforced spherical sandwich shell panel.
Fig. 7. Effect of core to face ratio on critical buckling temperature of FG-CNT-
reinforced cylindrical sandwich shell panel.
increases irrespective of geometrical configurations. The buckling
temperature for different shell panel follows the discussed trend i.e.
SPH > ELL > CYL > HYP > Plate.
Fig. 5 depicts the variation of critical buckling temperature of
square sandwich structure with variable curvature ratio (R/a) for four
geometries (SPH, ELL, CYL and HYP), five curvature ratio values (R/
a = 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5) and few more add-on geometrical
parameters as: SSSS, hc/hf = 1, a/b = 1, VCNT = 0.12 and a/h = 40.
Fig. 5 illustrated that the buckling temperature values of the sandwich
shell structure follow a descending line for the higher curvature ratios.
This is because the structural stiffness depends largely on shallowness
value of the shell panel.
Fig. 6 presented the buckling temperature values of the square
sandwich shell panel for five different support conditions (CCCC, CSCS,
SCSC, SSSS and CFCF) and five core to face thickness ratios (hc/hf = 0,
1, 3, 5 and 10) including other associated geometrical parameters as: a/
b = 1 and a/h = 40. From the figure, it can be understood that number
of constraints lead to the higher critical buckling temperature. This is
because the stiffness of any structure/structural component becomes
K. Mehar, et al. Composite Structures 216 (2019) 406–414

distribution among all used configurations.

Similarly, the critical buckling temperature of the FG-CNT re-
inforced composite sandwich shell panel for the five different geome-
tries and three CNT volume fractions (0.12, 0.17 and 0.28) are pre-
sented in Fig. 8. The critical buckling temperature load parameter
values of the sandwich shell structure are increasing for the higher
volume fractions of CNT irrespective of shell geometries. The graph
values indicate that the influence of the CNT volume fractions is sig-
nificant for the range in between 0.17 and 0.28 in comparison to
0.12–0.17.
Finally, the critical buckling behaviour of the sandwich structure is
investigated for different support conditions by setting VCNT = 0.12 , hc/
hf = 1, a/b = 1 and a/h = 40. The buckling mode shape is computed
for different support conditions and plotted in Fig. 9. From the figure, it
can be observed that the buckling mode shapes are changing when the
support condition changes. It helps in understanding the sandwich
deformation behaviour under the axial loading.

4. Conclusions

The critical thermal buckling temperature of the FG-CNT reinforced

Fig. 8. Effect of aspect ratio on critical buckling temperature of FG-CNT-re- composite sandwich shell panel is investigated using the developed
inforced sandwich shell panel. HSDT mid-plane kinematics. The governing equation is obtained using
the variational principle and solved using the suitable finite element
model. The convergence and comparison analysis established the ac-
high with higher constraint. Also, the critical buckling temperature
curacy and reliability of the developed finite element model. Further
values follow a decreasing slope for the higher values of the core to face
several numerical examples have been solved by varying the design
thickness ratio and it is within the expected line. It is important to
parameters and following points are concluded from the current finite
mention that the thickness of the face sheet decrease for the higher core
element analysis.
to face thickness ratio. Since CNT is reinforced only on the face-sheets
and if the face sheet thickness decreases the overall structural stiffness
1. Convergence and comparison studies depicted the accuracy and
also decreases.
correctness of the developed finite element sandwich model.
In continuation of the above, the critical buckling temperature va-
2. Increasing aspect ratio and CNT volume fraction lead to higher
lues of the FG-CNT reinforced composite sandwich shell panel are
critical buckling temperature.
calculated for the four grading configurations with all edges clamped
3. Increasing length to thickness ratio causes to decrease of the critical
condition and presented in Fig. 7. Graphical representation of the re-
buckling temperature. Critical buckling temperature also decreases
sults indicates that the FG-ΛV type distribution is most stable

Fig. 9. Buckling mode shape for different support conditions.

412
K. Mehar, et al.
with rising of curvature ratio and core to face thickness ratio.
4. FG-ΛV type grading configuration is the most stable grading con-
figuration under thermal environment.
5. The spherical geometry represented the highest critical buckling
temperature.
5. Data availability statement
The raw/processed data required to reproduce these findings cannot
be shared at this time as the data also forms part of an ongoing study.
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