Computational analysis of the effects of carbon nanotubes on the bending, buckling, and vibration characteristics of carbon fabric/polymer hybrid nanocomposite plates

In this paper, the effects of adding carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the bending, buckling and free vibration characteristics of carbon fabric/polymer hybrid nanocomposite plates (HNCPs) are investigated using a computational approach. First, a hierarchical finite element micromechanics approach is proposed to estimate the hybrid composite properties. The formation of interfacial region due to the non-bonded van der Waals interactions among the CNTs and polymer is considered. Then, finite element analysis is carried out to compute the mechanical responses of the CNT/carbon fabric hybrid composite structures. It is found that incorporating the CNTs into the carbon fabric-reinforced polymer materials results in an enhancement of buckling capacity and natural frequencies of the HNCPs. The maximum deflection of the traditional carbon fabric/polymer composite plates is decreased by adding the CNTs. A parametric study is accomplished to evaluate the influences of amount and aspect ratio of CNTs, material properties and thickness of interfacial region as well as the thickness and various shapes of plate on the flexural deformation, buckling and vibration characteristics of the HNCPs. The predictions are compared with those available in the literature to verify the validity of the presented computational model.