Elasticity solution for bending analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite plates using state space method (SSM)

Based on three-dimensional theory of elasticity, bending analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) rectangular plate subjected to mechanical load with simply supported boundary conditions is carried out. By using differential equilibrium equations and constitutive relations, state-space differential equation can be derived. The material properties of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composites are assumed to be graded through the thickness direction according to linear distributions of the volume fraction of carbon nanotubes. Detailed parametric studies have been carried out to reveal the influences of the aspect ratio, length to thickness ratio and loadings on the bending behavior of plates. An accuracy of the present solutions is validated numerically by comparisons with some available results in the literature