Computational thermal stability and critical temperature buckling of nanosystem

Many of small-scale devices should be designed to tolerate high temperature changes. In the present study, the states of buckling and stability of nano-scale cylindrical shell structure integrated with piezoelectric layer under various thermal and electrical external loadings are scrutinized. In this regard, a multi-layer composite shell reinforced with graphene nano-platelets (GNP) having different patterns of layer configurations is modeled. An outer layer of piezoelectric material receiving external voltage is also attached to the cylindrical shell for the aim of observing the effects of voltage on the thermal buckling condition. The cylindrical shell is mathematically modeled with first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT). Linear elasticity relationship with constant thermal expansion coefficient is used to extract the relationship between stress and strain components. Moreover, minimum virtual work, including the work of the piezoelectric layer, is engaged to derive equations of motion. The derived equations are solved using numerical method to find out the effects of temperature and external voltage on the buckling stability of the shell structure. It is revealed that the boundary condition, external voltage and geometrical parameter of the shell structure have notable effects on the temperature rise required for initiating instability in the cylindrical shell structure.