Stability Analysis of Smart FG Sandwich Plates with Auxetic Core

Abstract

As a new model, functionally graded piezoelectric (FGP) sandwich plate with negative Poisson’s ratio honeycomb core (auxetic core) is considered in this paper. Buckling analysis of the FGP sandwich plate is investigated based on a novel four-unknown shear deformation plate theory. The electrical and mechanical properties of the face layers are continuously varied through the thickness of the layers. This variation is achieved using a power law distribution in terms of the constituents volume fraction. The core layer composed of hexagonal honeycomb cells with negative Poisson’s ratio was made of a metallic material. The sandwich plate is exposed to uniaxial or biaxial compressive loads as well as electric voltage. Five stability differential equations are established based on the principle of virtual work including mechanical and electric loads. The obtained buckling load is compared with that available in the literature. Impacts of various parameters like the power law index, load parameter, external applied voltage, core thickness, boundary conditions and plate geometry on the buckling load of the smart composite plates with auxetic core are investigated. From the numerical results, one can find that the increase of electric voltage and core thickness decreases the buckling load.