Dynamic stability and bifurcation analysis of sandwich plate with considering FG core and FG-CNTRC face sheets

Abstract

In this article, the dynamic stability and bifurcation analysis of sandwich plate made of functionally graded material (FGM) as a core and functionally graded carbon nanotubes-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) as face sheets at top and bottom of the core under lateral stochastic loads are investigated. The classical plate theory is employed as a suitable model in obtaining equilibrium equations using the variational principles. The material properties of each layer are considered as functions of the temperature-dependent environment. By applying the Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov (FPK) equation on equilibrium equations of motion, the probability density function is obtained. Drawing probability density function and bifurcation diagrams indicates the influence of the aspect ratio of thickness ( h/hp), temperature changes, various distributions and volume fraction of carbon nanotube and power law index of functionally graded core on stability and bifurcation of sandwich plate. By enhancing volume fraction of carbon nanotube, length of the stable region (one equilibrium point) increases and this method can be employed for improving the stability of sandwich structures. The outcomes of this research could be employed to manufacture many composite structures in aircraft and automobiles.