Elastic bending and stress analysis of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite plate: Experimental, numerical, and simulation

The deflection behavior of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite plate is investigated numerically using the finite-element method and the result accuracy is established via three-point experimental bending test data. The physical composite panel model is realized with the help of new mathematical model based on the higher order kinematic theory and the responses are computed using the in-house computer code in the MATLAB environment. Further, the efficacy of the current higher order finite-element model has been established by comparing the deflection responses with those of the references, simulation values (ANSYS), and the in-house experimentation including the experimental elastic properties. Finally, the effect of different design parameters, such as aspect ratio, thickness ratio, edge constraints including the types of load on the deflection and stress responses of the composite plate has been studied in detail.