A review of isogeometric analysis for laminated composites, functionally graded materials, and nanocomposites

Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) has emerged as a transformative approach in computational mechanics, bridging the gap between Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and finite element analysis by employing spline-based functions such as Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS). This review paper systematically explores the application of IGA in predicting the mechanical behavior of advanced structures, including laminated composites, functionally graded materials (FGMs), and nanocomposites. The study highlights IGA's ability to achieve exact geometry representation, higher-order continuity, and flexible refinement strategies, addressing limitations inherent in traditional mesh-based methods. Key aspects covered include IGA formulations, control points, knot vectors, and refinement techniques, as well as coupling strategies for non-conforming meshes and layerwise theories. The paper also reviews small-scale models for nano- and micro-structures, incorporating theories like nonlocal elasticity and strain gradient elasticity. By summarizing recent advancements and identifying future research directions, this work aims to guide further developments in the robust and precise structural analysis of modern engineering materials.