Static Analysis of FG-CNTRC Skew Plates

This paper utilizes a specialized solid-shell element with a modified first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) to analyze the linear static behavior of carbon nanotube-reinforced skew plates. The element consists of eight nodes with three degrees of freedom representing the three displacements. Various distributions of carbon nanotubes along the thickness of the skew plates are examined, including uniform and four other functionally graded distributions. To avoid locking issues, the solid-shell element implements the enhanced assumed strain (EAS) approach with an optimal number of EAS parameters, as well as the assumed natural strain (ANS) method. Additionally, the strain compatible part includes a special plot of transverse shear strains to overcome the deficiencies of the shear stress and strain distribution. Actually, there is no longer a requirement for the shear correction factors. The study compares the performance of the modified FSDT-based solid-shell element to other published methodologies in order to evaluate its accuracy in predicting and analyzing the static behavior of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced skew plates.