Isogeometric Analysis of functionally graded porous plates reinforced by graphene platelets

Abstract This paper investigates the static linear elasticity, natural frequency, and buckling behaviour of functionally graded porous plates reinforced by graphene platelets (GPLs). Both first- and third-order shear deformation plate theories are incorporated within the Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) framework. The pores and the GPLs within the plates are distributed in the metal matrix either uniformly or non-uniformly according to different patterns. The graded distributions of porosity and nanocomposite are achieved by material parameters varying across the thickness direction of plate. The Halpin-Tsai micromechanics model is implemented to establish the relationship between porosity coefficient and Young’s modulus, as well as to obtain the mass density of the nanocomposite. The variation of Poisson’s ratio is determined by the mechanical properties of closed-cell cellular solids under Gaussian Random Field scheme. A comprehensive parametric study is accomplished to investigate the effects of weight fraction, distribution pattern, geometry, and size of the GPLs reinforcement on the static linear elasticity, natural frequency, and buckling behaviour of the nanocomposite plates with diverse metal matrices and porosity coefficients. The outcome of numerical investigation shows that the inclusion of the GPLs can effectively improve the stiffness of functionally graded porous plate.