Computational Buckling Analysis of Epoxy-Based Composite Reinforced with Sugarcane Fiber, Fly-Ash, and Carbon Nanotube

Abstract

Abstract Industries play a very vital role in the developed nation. Proportional to the higher production capacity of these industries, there is a surge in the quantity of waste material being discharged. This waste material can be put to effective use; a considerable way is by creating a green composite that is long-lasting, and concocted by using natural fibers and environment-friendly materials as reinforcements. In the following study, an attempt is made to investigate the buckling characteristics of a thin geometrical plate of epoxy-based composite reinforced with Sugarcane fiber/ Fly-ash/ Carbon Nanotube. The investigative study was conducted numerically on the plate by applying axially compressive load. To procure an optimized result on the weight percentages of the composition of the fiber in the composite material, the DOE/optimization tool i.e. a mathematical and statistical technique known as the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used. Essential geometrical modeling and the appropriate boundary conditions for the buckling analysis were carried out using the Static Structural and Eigen Buckling standalone systems in the ANSYS software. The analytical tool, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was utilized to investigate the influential degree of reinforcement variables on buckling characteristics present in the composite. The results reveal that the critical buckling loads escalate for higher weight percentages for carbon nanotube and fly-ash reinforcements in the composite composition. The optimized parameters obtained can be incorporated to achieve improved critical buckling load and hence many synthetic composites were replaced thus enhancing the sustainability of the environment.

Keywords

• Polymer composite
• Sugarcane fiber
• Carbon Nanotube
• Response Surface Methodology
• Analysis of Variance
• Critical Buckling Load