LAUSR

Abstract Unlike the widely used eigen-buckling theory, the nonlinear post-buckling analysis provides a more accurate stability model of piezoelectric cylindrical shells and predicates more reliable instability characteristics. In this paper, an accurate post-buckling analysis of piezoelectric functionally graded cylindrical shells under combined electro-thermo-mechanical loadings is performed. The nonlinear large deflection governing equations involving the self-induced electric potential are established based on the higher-order shear deformation theory. The post-buckling equilibrium paths with mode-jumping phenomenon for both symmetric and asymmetric deformation modes are obtained by the Galerkin's method enriched with new displacement functions. Results indicate that the symmetric mode usually occurs for a thick shell and the asymmetric mode only occurs for an ultrathin shell. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the effect of power law index highly depends on the external electro-thermal loadings. Therefore, the loading capacity of the piezoelectric FG cylindrical shells can be improved by an appropriately selected power law index.