Eigenvalue buckling analysis of functionally graded graphene platelets reinforced cylindrical shells

Cylindrical shell structures have wide applications as structural elements in many engineering fields. This paper proposes a new novel class of multi-layered cylindrical shells reinforced by non-uniform distribution of graphene platelets (GPL) in the thickness direction. Finite element method (FEM) is used to analyse the elastic buckling behaviours of the cylindrical shells, for which the effective Young's modulus of the composites is determined by modified Halpin-Tsai micromechanics model. A comprehensive parametric study is conducted on the influences of the distribution pattern, weight fraction, geometry and size of GPLs together with the total number of layers on the critical buckling load of cylindrical shells with various geometries. It is found that a very small amount of GPLs added into polymer can dramatically increase the critical buckling load of the structure. Dispersing more GPLs with fewer graphene sheets near the inner and outer surfaces of the cylindrical shell is the most effective way to increase the critical buckling load. Moreover, it is indicated that the effects of distribution pattern on the buckling load become significant when the ratio of radius to thickness of the shell is approximately larger than 10.