Uncertainty propagation in the buckling behavior of few-layer graphene sheets

Few-layer graphene sheets are attractive new materials utilized for novel applications. Intrinsically, material and geometrical properties of the graphene sheets have a certain amount of scatter and such uncertainties. Therefore, it is important to include the effects of these uncertainties on the mechanical characteristics of the graphene sheets. In this paper, the convex modeling is employed to investigate the propagation of the uncertainties in buckling behavior of few-layer graphene sheets subjected to in-plane loads. Furthermore, nonlocal plate theory is used to include nanoscale size-effects. A parametric study is performed to elucidate the effects of various parameters. Numerical results indicate that such uncertainties should not be ignored for reliable prediction of the buckling loads.