Thermal stress analysis of perforated unsymmetric FG-CNTRC plate using a general analytical solution

Abstract

In this study, based on the development of the complex variable method, a general solution is presented to calculate thermal stresses in unsymmetric functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) plates weakened by a hole under uniform heat flux. The extracted equations can also be used for thermal analysis of perforated FGM plates and unsymmetric composites laminates. Due to the fact that size and temperature affect the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNT), the material properties of the unsymmetric FG-CNTRC plates are approximated based on gradual changes in the direction of thickness and extended rule of the mixture. The present analysis considers the effect of important parameters such as CNT volume fraction, CNT angle, hole aspect ratio, hole orientation, and heat flux angle on the distribution of thermal stresses and moments around elliptical and circular holes. The present comprehensive parametric study shows that the aforementioned variables have a significant effect on the thermal stresses in perforated FG-CNTRC plates. Therefore, by properly selecting their values in the design of such plates, thermal stresses can be significantly reduced.