Nonlinear bending of functionally graded graphene-reinforced composite laminated plates resting on elastic foundations in thermal environments

Abstract This paper presents an investigation on the nonlinear bending of functionally graded graphene-reinforced composite (FG-GRC) laminated plates resting on an elastic foundation and in a thermal environment. The plate is subjected to a transverse uniform or sinusoidal load combined with initial compressive edge in-plane loads. The plate is made of graphene-reinforced composites which are functionally graded in the thickness direction with a piece-wise type. The material properties of GRCs are estimated through a refined micromechanical model. Governing differential equations for the bending of the FG-GRC plates are based on a higher order shear deformation plate theory and the general von Karman-type equation and the effects of plate-foundation interaction and temperature variation are taken into consideration. A two-step perturbation technique is employed to determine the load-deflection and load-bending moment curves. The nonlinear bending responses of FG-GRC laminated plates under different sets of loading and thermal environmental conditions are presented and discussed in details.