BUCKLING ANALYSIS OF NANOCOMPOSITE TIMOSHENKO BEAM USING EXPERIMENTAL TEST TO OBTAIN THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

The current research is analyses of the buckling response of composite and nanocomposite Timoshenko beam reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNT). By using experimental test mechanical properties such as Youug’s and shear modulus are obtained. By applying Hamilton s principle. the governing equations of equilibrium are derived for Timoshenko theory and then Navier’s type solution is used to solve the governing equations. The comparison provides a good agreement between obtained results and similar researches. In this composite beam, glass fiber is used in an epoxy matrix and for nanocomposite. CNTs are applied as reinforcement particles. The critical buckling loads of nanocomposite beams for different length to thickness ratio are obtained. It is concluded that adding just a small amount of carbon nanotubes increases critical buckling load of composite beams. Also. the influences of different manufacturing processes such as hand lay-up and industrial methods using vacuum pump on composite properties are investigated and it is found that accuracy of manufacturing process has a significant effect on buckling of nanocornpositc

Keywords:

Buckling analysis , Nano composite , Experimental test and manufacturing , Hand layup method