Buckling analysis of axially-loaded functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite conical panels using a novel numerical variational method

Buckling analysis of axially-compressed functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) conical panels is presented employing the variational differential quadrature (VDQ) method. The material properties of nanocomposite conical panel are assumed to be graded along the thickness direction and are estimated through the micromechanical model. To present the energy functional of the structure, the first-order shear deformation theory is utilized. Applying the generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method in axial and circumferential directions, the discretized form of energy functional is obtained. Then, based on Hamilton's principle and matrix relations, the reduced form of stiffness matrices is derived. A comparison between the obtained results and those given in the literature shows the accuracy of the present approach. Numerical results indicate that volume fractions and distribution patterns of CNTs have significant effects on the buckling load of FG-CNTRC conical panels.