Three-dimensional thermoelasticity solution of functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite plate embedded in piezoelectric sensor and actuator layers

Based on theory of elasticity, static behavior of functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) rectangular host plate attached to thin piezoelectric layers subjected to thermal load and or electric field is studied. It is assumed that temperature gradient does not affect the thermo-elastic constants of the plate. Distribution of CNT is uniformly or functionally graded along the plate thickness. Analytical solutions for the temperature, stress and displacement fields for the FG-CNTRC plate with simply-supported edges are derived by using the Fourier series expansion along in-plane coordinates and state-space technique across thickness direction. The present procedure is validated by comparing the numerical results with the available published results. Parametric studies are performed to assess the effects of CNT volume fraction, case of CNT distribution along the thickness direction, surface boundary conditions, applied voltage, aspect ratio and length to thickness ratio on the behavior of FG-CNTRC rectangular plate. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.