Analytical buckling and post-buckling characteristics of Mindlin micro composite plate with central opening by use of nonlocal elasticity theory

The effect of central opening on the buckling and nonlinear post-buckling response of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced micro composite plate embedded in elastic medium is considered in this paper. It is assumed that the system is surrounded by elastic medium, therefore; the influence of Pasternak foundation on buckling and post-buckling behavior are analyzed. In order to derive the basic formulations of plate the Mindlin plate theory is applied. Furthermore, nonlocal elasticity theory is applied to consider the size-dependent effect. Analytical approach and Newton-Raphson iterative technique are utilized to calculate the impact of cut out on the buckling and nonlinear post-buckling response of micro composite plate. The variation of buckling and post-buckling of micro composite cut out plate based on some significant parameters such as volume fraction of CNTs, small scale parameter, aspect ratio, square cut out and elastic medium were discussed in details. According to the results, it is concluded that the aspect ratio and length of square cut out have negative effect on buckling and post-buckling response of micro composite plate. Furthermore, existence of CNTs in system causes improvement in the buckling and post-buckling behavior of plate. Meanwhile, considering elastic medium increases the buckling and post-buckling load of system.