Thermoelastic analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite plate using theory of elasticity

Based on three-dimensional theory of elasticity, bending behavior of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) rectangular plate with simply supported edges subjected to thermo-mechanical loads is examined. By using Fourier series expansion along the in plane directions and state space technique across the thickness direction for the entities exact solution for bending characteristic of plate is derived. Accuracy of the presents approach is validated by comparing the numerical results with the available published results in the literature. Investigation on the static behavior of the plates is further carried out by considering the effects of volume fraction of carbon nanotube, uniform distribution and functionally graded distribution of carbon nanotube, aspect ratio and length to thickness ratio. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.