Stability analysis of graphene based laminated composite sheets under non-uniform inplane loading by nonlocal elasticity

Size dependent buckling of composite laminates made of isotropic graphene layers interlaid with bonding agents is considered. Nonlocal theory of elasticity is used in the buckling analysis to reflect the size scale effects on the critical buckling loads which is discussed in detail. The method is capable of predicting the relative buckling modes for non-uniform inplane loading applied through the thickness of the laminate. All modes of buckling in which the layers may displace together or opposite one another are investigated to study their scale dependent effects. Displacement or load controls are implemented through independent parameters as constraints to form special combination of buckling modes. Each graphene sheet is considered as a Kirchhoff plate model. The interlaid bonding agent is laterally treated as Winkler elastic foundation between graphene layers while neglecting their other load carrying capacities. Various numerical results are obtained reflecting the nonlocality effects. It is observed that in cases of higher load ratios and simpler buckling modes, the effect of nonlocality tends to drastically increase. The results of simpler examples studied are verified by another reference.