Analytical Modeling of Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composite Plates under Low-Velocity Impact

In this paper, analytical and numerical modeling has investigated the behavior of Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composite (FG-CNTRC) plates under Low-Velocity Impact (LVI). The mixed law is employed to obtain the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and methyl methacrylate. Nonlinear equations of analytical modeling are derived based on the Third-order Shear Deformation Theory (TSDT), Hertz law (to define the contact force), and the energy principle. After calculating the strain and stress fields, the Ritz method is used to obtain motion equations. Fourth order Runge-Kutta method is applied for solving equations of motion. In the following, LVI on FG-CNTRC plates is simulated using the FE code, ABAQUS software. The results of the analytical and numerical model are compared with the other results of LVI on FG-CNTRC, and there is good agreement between them. In addition, the effects of CNTs graded profile, volume fraction, impactor velocity, impactor radius, and geometrical parameters are investigated.