STATIC BEHAVIOUR OF NANO-COMPOSITE REINFORCED CROSS-PLY LAMINATES VIA A MICROMECHANICS APPROACH

摘要

Bending behaviour of one dimensional structures is an important consideration in the design of structural components. In the present study a multiscale analysis of the deflection behaviour of carbon nanotube/polymer composite beams is presented. The micromechanics models used in the study include straight CNTs aligned in one direction, randomly oriented CTNs and a two parameter model of agglomeration. The effect of volume fraction of CNTs are investigated on the beam deflection and comparisons are made with carbon fibre reinforced composites. The main purpose of the study is to observe the stiffening effect of CNTs when used in small quantities which is the case presently due to cost considerations.