Uncertain Buckling and Sensitivity Analysis of Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composite Beam

Abstract

The static instability of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beam in the presence of the material and geometrical uncertainties is investigated. By utilizing the extended rule of mixture, the mechanical properties of nanocomposite beam are estimated, and critical buckling loads are obtained by the use of Galerkin’s method. To take propagation of uncertain variables into account, a nonprobabilistic approach is employed. The suggested model is justified by a great agreement between the given results and available data in the literature. The most prominent uncertain variables are distinguished based on a sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, the influence of volume fraction of the carbon nanotube on the upper and lower bounds of uncertain buckling load and uncertainty propagation percent of FG-CNTRC beam is examined.