Scale effects on nonlocal buckling analysis of bilayer composite plates under non-uniform uniaxial loads

Scale effects are studied on the buckling behavior of bilayer composite plates under non-uniform uniaxial compression via the nonlocal theory. Each isotropic plate is composed of a material that is different from others, and the adhesive between the plates is modeled as the Winkler elastic medium. According to the symmetry, effects of the Winkler non-dimensional parameter, the thickness ratio, the ratio of Young’s moduli, and the aspect ratio are also considered on the buckling problem of bilayer plates, where only the top plate is under the uniaxial compression. Numerical examples show that the Winkler elastic coefficient, the thickness ratio, and the ratio of Young’s moduli play decisive roles in the buckling behavior. Nonlocal effect is significant when the high-order buckling mode occurs or the aspect ratio is small.