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Geometrically nonlinear response of doubly curved panels reinforced by carbon nanotubes exposed to thermal environments and subjected to uniform external pressure are presented in this paper. Carbon nanotubes are reinforced into isotropic matrix through uniform and functionally graded distributions. Material properties of constituents are assumed to be temperature dependent, and effective elastic moduli of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite are determined according to an extended rule of mixture. Basic equations for carbon nanotube-reinforced composite doubly curved panels are established within the framework of first-order shear deformation theory. Analytical solutions are assumed, and Galerkin method is used to derive closed-form expressions of nonlinear load–deflection relation. Separate and combined effects of carbon nanotube distribution and volume fraction, elasticity of in-plane constraint, elevated temperature, initial imperfection, geometrical ratios and stiffness of elastic foundations on the nonlinear stability of nanocomposite doubly curved panels are analyzed through numerical examples.

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Buckling and postbuckling behaviors of moderately thick composite plates reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), rested on elastic foundations and subjected to two types of thermal loading are investigated in this article. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are reinforced into isotropic polymer matrix according to functional rules in which volume fractions of constituents are graded in the thickness direction. Material properties of constituents are assumed to be temperature-dependent and effective properties of nanocomposite are estimated by extended rule of mixture. Formulations are based on first-order shear deformation theory taking von Karman nonlinearity, initial geometrical imperfection, tangential constraints of edges, and two-parameter elastic foundation into consideration. Approximate solutions are assumed to satisfy simply supported boundary conditions and Galerkin method is applied to derive nonlinear temperature–deflection relations from which buckling temperatures and postbuckling equilibrium paths are determined by an iteration algorithm. Novel findings of the present study are that deteriorative influences of temperature-dependent properties on the postbuckling behavior become more serious as plate edges are partially movable, CNT volume fraction is higher, elastic foundations are stiffer, plates are thicker, and/or temperature linearly changed across the thickness.

This article investigates the nonlinear stability of composite cylindrical panels (CPs) reinforced by carbon nanotubes (CNTs), resting on elastic foundations and subjected to combined thermomechanical loading conditions. CNTs are embedded into matrix phase through uniform distribution or functionally graded distribution. Material properties of constituents are assumed to be temperature dependent and effective elastic moduli of carbon nanotube–reinforced composite are estimated by the extended rule of mixture. Nonlinear governing equations of geometrically imperfect panels are based on first-order shear deformation theory accounting for elastic foundations and tangential constraint of straight edges. Analytical solutions are assumed to satisfy simply supported boundary conditions and closed-form expressions relating load and deflection are derived through Galerkin method. Numerical examples show the effects of preexisting nondestabilizing loads, distribution patterns, panel curvature, in-plane condition of unloaded edges, thermal environments, initial imperfection, and elastic foundations on the nonlinear stability of nanocomposite CPs under combined loading conditions.