Three-dimensional analysis of FG-CNTRC shell subjected to internal pressure utilizing Carrera Unified Formulation

This work focuses on the bending examination of three-dimensional (3D) functionally graded carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) cylindrical shell exposed to internal pressure. The composite cylindrical shell is assumed to be reinforced in the longitudinal axis. Mechanical properties of the constituents are applied based on the modified rule of the mixture. Distribution of CNTs across the shell thickness is assumed to be uniform and three types of functionally gradients. The governing equations are developed using the Principle of Virtual Displacements (PVDs) based on Carrera's Unified Formulation (CUF) and then differential quadrature method (DQM) is used to solve the governing equations for different combinations of simply supported and clamped boundary conditions. The comparison studies between the obtained results and those available in the literature demonstrate the accuracy and computational efficiency of the present formulation and method. The roles of different factors including the volume fraction of CNTs (V-CN*), boundary conditions, distributions of CNTs, length-to-radius ratios (L/r), and mechanical loads, are investigated in the outcomes. The results illustrate that the non-dimensional maximum deflections of functionally graded (FD) distributions are higher than the uniform distributions for different boundary conditions.