Analyzing the Thermal Post-Buckling of Composite Plate Containing an Elliptical Cut-Out Using a Particle Semi-Energy Method

In this research, nonlinear thermal buckling and post-buckling behaviors of composite plate with the circular/elliptical cut-out are investigated using particle semi-energy (PSE) method. The semi-energy method is based on the solution of compatibility equation via an Airy force function and out-of-plane displacement function. The unknown parameters of these functions are determined by minimizing the potential energy. The integral of potential energy are replaced with summation of particles energy at perforated plate. The cut-out is modeled easily using these particles. The advantages of this method are easily cut-out modeling by particles and proposing just one of the displacement fields (i.e. out-of-plane). Based on the results, there is a good agreement (1.25%) between the post-buckling loads derived from PSE of this paper and experimental test of other literature. The accuracy of the finite element method (FEM) is 7.5% with respect to experimental test. The influences of temperature distribution, the cut-out size and elliptical cut-out rotating on post-buckling load and deflection of perforated plate are investigated.