Buckling analysis of tapered composite plates using ritz method based on classical and higher order theories

Abstract

Tapered composite plates are being used in various engineering applications such as helicopter yoke, robot arms and turbine blade in which the structure needs to be stiff at one location and flexible at another location. In the present thesis, the buckling of different types of tapered composite plates are analyzed based on classical laminated plate theory, first-order shear deformation theory and third-order shear deformation theory. The developed formulation is applied to the analysis of various types of tapered composite plates. The efficiency and accuracy of the developed formulation are established in comparison with available solutions, where applicable. A detailed parametric study has been conducted on various types of tapered composite plates, all made of NCT/301 graphite-epoxy, in order to investigate the effects of boundary conditions, laminate configuration, taper angle and the thickness ratio