Thermoelastic stability of thin CNT-reinforced composite cylindrical panels with elastically restrained edges under nonuniform in-plane temperature distribution

In order to fill the evident lack of investigations on nonlinear response of nanocomposite curved panels under nonuniform temperature, this paper aims to analyze the nonlinear thermoelastic stability of cylindrical panels made of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced composite, rested on elastic foundations and subjected to sinusoidal-type in-plane temperature distribution. Reinforcement is carried out through functional rules of CNT volume fraction. An extended rule of mixture is adopted to estimate the effective properties of CNT-reinforced composite. Governing equations are derived based on classical shell theory accounting for von Kármán–Donnell nonlinearity, initial imperfection, interactive pressure from elastic foundation, and preexisting lateral pressure. In addition, the elasticity of in-plane constraints of boundary edges is included. Approximate analytical solutions are assumed to satisfy simply supported boundary conditions and Galerkin procedure is adopted to derive nonlinear closed-form relation between thermal load and deflection. Parametric studies are carried out and interesting remarks are obtained. The present study finds that, unlike case of uniform temperature rise, thermal instability of cylindrical panels under sinusoidal temperature distribution still occurs even though all edges are movable and load carrying capacity is the weakest for an intermediate value of CNT volume fraction. Under sinusoidal temperature distribution, the cylindrical panel may be deflected at the onset of loading and, for the most part, has no longer bifurcation-type buckling response. Furthermore, small values of preexisting external pressure have beneficial influences on the stability of nanocomposite cylindrical panels under nonuniform thermal loads.

Meta-heuristic optimization of buckling and fundamental frequency of laminated cylindrical panel under graded temperature fields

This research deals with the optimization of buckling and fundamental frequency of a cylindrical panel under various heating conditions, which varies across the surface of the panel. A multi-objective design indicator (MODI) is derived with fiber orientations as a design variable. Finite element analysis is used to calculate temperature variation according to the nature of heating, buckling temperature, and fundamental frequency. In this study, scientific computing software is used to incorporate the finite element method with artificial neural network and particle swarm optimization technique. Five different heating cases, including uniform temperature cases, are considered. It is observed from the analysis that the in-plane temperature field of non-uniform type has a significant influence on the buckling and vibration characteristics of the panel. Further, it is observed that panel with lamination scheme of [Formula: see text] gives the higher value of MODI max compared to other lamination schemes considered.

Thermally induced postbuckling of thin CNT-reinforced composite plates under nonuniform in-plane temperature distributions

This paper presents an analytical investigation on postbuckling behavior of thin plates reinforced by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and subjected to nonuniform thermal loads. Unlike many previous works considered ideal case of thermal load is that uniform temperature rise, the present study considers more practical situations of thermal load are that sinusoidal and linear in-plane temperature distributions. CNTs are reinforced into matrix through functionally graded distributions and effective properties of nanocomposite are estimated according to extended rule of mixture. Basic equations are based on classical plate theory taking into account Von Karman nonlinearity, initial geometrical imperfection, interactive pressure from elastic foundations and elasticity of tangential constraints of simply supported boundary edges. Basic equations are solved by using analytical solutions and Galerkin method. From the obtained closed-form relations, thermal buckling and postbuckling behavior of nanocomposite plates are analyzed through numerical examples.

Impact of MPL on Temperature Distribution in Single Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell with Various Thicknesses of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane

The impact of micro porous layer (MPL) with various thicknesses of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) on heat and mass transfer characteristics, as well as power generation performance of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC), is investigated. The in-plane temperature distribution on cathode separator back is also measured by thermocamera. It has been found that the power generation performance is improved by the addition of MPL, especially at higher current density condition irrespective of initial temperature of cell (Tini) and relative humidity condition. However, the improvement is not obvious when the thin PEM (Nafion NRE-211; thickness of 25 μm) is used. The increase in temperature from inlet to outlet without MPL is large compared to that with MPL when using thick PEM, while the difference between without MPL and with MPL is small when using thin PEM. It has been confirmed that the addition of MPL is effective for the improvement of power generation performance of single PEFC operated at higher temperatures than normal. However, the in-plane temperature distribution with MPL is not even.

Dust condensation in evolving discs and the composition of planetary building blocks

ABSTRACT Partial condensation of dust from the Solar nebula is likely responsible for the diverse chemical compositions of chondrites and rocky planets/planetesimals in the inner Solar system. We present a forward physical–chemical model of a protoplanetary disc to predict the chemical compositions of planetary building blocks that may form from such a disc. Our model includes the physical evolution of the disc and the condensation, partial advection, and decoupling of the dust within it. The chemical composition of the condensate changes with time and radius. We compare the results of two dust condensation models: one where an element condenses when the mid-plane temperature in the disc is lower than the 50 per cent condensation temperature ($\rm T_{50}$) of that element and the other where the condensation of the dust is calculated by a Gibbs free energy minimization technique assuming chemical equilibrium at local disc temperature and pressure. The results of two models are generally consistent with some systematic differences of ∼10 per cent depending upon the radial distance and an element’s condensation temperature. Both models predict compositions similar to CM, CO, and CV chondrites provided that the decoupling time-scale of the dust is of the order of the evolution time-scale of the disc or longer. If the decoupling time-scale is too short, the composition deviates significantly from the measured values. These models may contribute to our understanding of the chemical compositions of chondrites, and ultimately the terrestrial planets in the Solar system, and may constrain the potential chemical compositions of rocky exoplanets.

Mathematical modelling of far-infrared vacuum drying of apple slices

In this study, a mathematical model of far-infrared vacuum drying of shrinkage body is presented. The system of two coupled PDE for heat and mass transfer with appropriate initial and boundary conditions are solved numerically with used of the finite difference method. On the basis of the numerical solutions a computer program for calculation of temperature profiles, transient moisture content, mid-plane temperature, and the volume averaged moisture content changes for different drying regime was developed. For verification of a mathematical model a series of numerical calculations were carried out with experimental conditions similar to those in the realized experiments of far-infrared vacuum drying of apple slices. Very good agreement between the experimental and numerical temperature and moisture content changes during the drying was obtained.