Numerical and statistical buckling analysis of laminated composite plates with functionally graded fiber orientation angles

The aim of this numerical and statistical study was to investigate the buckling analysis of laminated composite plates containing functionally graded fiber orientation angles. The laminated composite plates had functionally graded fiber orientation angles based on Taguchi's L18 (2(1)x 3(2)) orthogonal array. The fiber orientation angles were considered to be control factors. Numerical analyses were performed using finite element software ANSYS. The optimum critical buckling load and the effects of fiber orientation angles for maximum data were determined using the analysis of the signal-to-noise ratio. The importance levels of laminates and their percent contribution on the buckling characteristics were calculated using analysis of variance. Regression analysis was employed to investigate the effects of control factors on buckling responses mathematically. The effects of laminate stacking sequence, mesh size, element type, mode number, and boundary condition were carried out using laminates with the optimum levels.