Buckling (Mechanics)

The vibrational behavior of inhomogeneous beams and circular plates is studied, utilizing the semi-inverse method developed by I. Elishakoff and extensively discussed in his recent monograph (2005). The main thread of his methodology is that the knowledge of the mode shape is postulated. The candidate mode shapes can be adopted from relevant static, dynamic or buckling problems. In this study, the exact mode shapes are sought as polynomial functions, in the context of vibration tailoring, i.e. designing the structure that possesses the pre-specified value. Apparently for the first time in the literature, several closed-form solutions for vibration tailoring have been derived for vibrating inhomogeneous beams and circular plates. Twelve new closed-form solutions for vibration tailoring have been derived for an inhomogeneous polar orthotropic plate that is either clamped or simply supported around its circumference. Also, the vibration tailoring of a polar orthotropic circular plate with translational spring is analyzed. There is considerable potential of utilizing the developed method for design of functionally graded materials.

This dissertation deals with the determination of buckling loads of composite cylindrical shell structures which involve uncertainty either in geometry, namely thickness variation, or in material properties. Systematic research has been carried out, which evolves from the simple isotropic cases to anisotropic cases. Since the initial geometric imperfection has a dominant role in the reduction of those imperfection-sensitive structures such as cylindrical shells, the combined effect of thickness variation and initial imperfection is also investigated in depth. Both analytic and numerical methods are used to derive the solutions to the problems and asymptotic formulas relating the buckling load to the geometric (thickness variation and/or initial imperfection) parameter are established. It is shown that the axisymmetric thickness variation has the most detrimental effect on the buckling load when the modal number of thickness variation is twice as much as that of the classical buckling mode. For the composite shells with uncertainty in material properties, the convex modelling is employed to evaluate the variability of buckling load. Based on the experimental data for the elastic moduli of the composite laminates, the upper and lower bounds of the buckling load are derived, which are numerically substantiated by the results from nonlinear programming. These bounds will be useful in practice and can provide engineers with a better view of the real load-carrying capacity of the composite structure. Finally, the elastic modulus is modeled as a function of coordinates to complete the study on variability of material property so that the result can be obtained to account for the situation where the elastic modulus is different from one place to another in the structure.

The local buckling failure mechanism and subsequent debond propagation in sandwich columns and panels with composite face sheets containing a face-to-core debond is experimentally, analytically, and numerically analyzed. The experimental investigation is based on a comprehensive test program to examine local buckling failure and fracture toughness of sandwich specimens consisting of glass/epoxy face sheets over various density PVC foams and a balsa wood core. Elastic foundation and finite element models are developed for prediction of the local buckling load of sandwich columns and panels containing an implanted debond at the face/core interface. Nonlinear finite element analysis was conducted to investigate debond propagation in the post-buckling region. Overall, model predictions were in agreement with experimental results. The buckling load was found to decrease with reduced face sheet stiffness, reduced core modulus, and increased debond length. Sandwich panels with circular debonds were more resistant to local buckling than those with square debonds of the same characteristic size. Circular debonds of 50 mm diameter and square debonds of 45 mm side length established the threshold for local buckling failure. Nonlinear finite element analysis of debonded sandwich columns and panels showed that the major crack displacement is opening (mode I). The tendency of the crack tip to first open and then close after buckling of the face sheet is believed to be due to the formation of an eccentric load path at the onset of buckling. The fracture mechanics analysis of debonded sandwich panels showed that the energy release rate is much higher in the direction perpendicular to the applied load than along the loading direction, and exceeds the measured toughness value in the transverse direction. This explains the experimental observation that a debond embedded in a sandwich panel tends to propagate in the transverse direction.

Natural frequencies of the double and triple-walled carbon nanotubes are determined exactly and approximately for both types. Approximate solutions are found by using Bubnov-Galerkin and Petrov-Galerkin methods. For the first time explicit expressions are obtained for the natural frequencies of double and triple-walled carbon nanotubes for different combinations of boundary conditions. Comparison of the results with recent studies shows that the above methods constitute quick and effective alternative techniques to exact solution for studying the vibration properties of carbon nanotubes. The natural frequencies of the clamped-clamped double-walled carbon nanotubes are obtained; exact solution is provided and compared with the solution reported in the literature. In contrast to earlier investigation, an analytical criterion is derived to establish the behavior of the roots of the characteristic equation. Approximate Bubnov-Galerkin solution is also obtained to compare natural frequencies at the lower end of the spectrum. Simplified version of the Bresse-Timoshenko theory that incorporates the shear deformation and the rotary inertia is proposed for free vibration study of double-walled carbon nanotubes. It is demonstrated that the suggested set yields extremely accurate results for the lower spectrum of double-walled carbon nanotube. The natural frequencies of double-walled carbon nanotubes based on simplified versions of Donnell shell theory are also obtained. The buckling behavior of the double-walled carbon nanotubes under various boundary conditions is studied. First, the case of the simply supported double-walled carbon nanotubes at both ends is considered which is amenable to exact solution.