Static and dynamic analysis of micro beams based on strain gradient elasticity theory

The static and dynamic problems of Bernoulli-Euler beams are solved analytically on the basis of strain gradient elasticity theory due to Lam et al. The governing equations of equilibrium and all boundary conditions for static and dynamic analysis are obtained by a combination of the basic equations and a variational statement. Two boundary value problems for cantilever beams are solved and the size effects on the beam bending response and its natural frequencies are assessed for both cases. Two numerical examples of cantilever beams are presented respectively for static and dynamic analysis. It is found that beam deflections decrease and natural frequencies increase remarkably when the thickness of the beam becomes comparable to the material length scale parameter. The size effects are almost diminishing as the thickness of the beam is far greater than the material length scale parameter.     

A new homogenization method based on a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory

Homogenization methods utilizing classical elasticity-based Eshelby tensors cannot capture the particle size effect experimentally observed in particle–matrix composites at the micron and nanometer scales. In this paper, a new homogenization method for predicting effective elastic properties of multiphase composites is developed using Eshelby tensors based on a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory (SSGET), which contains a material length scale parameter and can account for the size effect. Based on the strain energy equivalence, a homogeneous comparison material obeying the SSGET is constructed, and two sets of equations for determining an effective elastic stiffness tensor and an effective material length scale parameter for the composite are derived. By using Eshelby’s eigenstrain method and the Mori–Tanaka averaging scheme, the effective stiffness tensor based on the SSGET is analytically obtained, which depends not only on the volume fractions and shapes of the inhomogeneities (i.e., phases other than the matrix) but also on the inhomogeneity sizes, unlike what is predicted by the existing homogenization methods based on classical elasticity. To illustrate the newly developed homogenization method, sample cases are quantitatively studied for a two-phase composite filled with spherical, cylindrical, or ellipsoidal inhomogeneities (particles) using the averaged Eshelby tensors based on the SSGET that were derived earlier by the authors. Numerical results reveal that the particle size has a large influence on the effective Young’s moduli when the particles are sufficiently small. In addition, the results show that the composite becomes stiffer when the particles get smaller, thereby capturing the particle size effect.     

Size-dependent behavior of slacked carbon nanotube actuator based on the higher-order strain gradient theory

This paper proposes to investigate the nonlinear size dependent behavior of electrically actuated carbon nanotube (CNT) based nano-actuator while including the higher-order strain gradient deformation, the geometric nonlinearity due to the von Karman nonlinear strain as well as the slack effect, and the temperature gradient effects. The assumed non-classical beam model adopts some internal material size scale parameters related to the material nanostructures and is capable of interpreting the size effect that the classical continuum beam model is unable to pronounce. The higher-order governing equations of motion and boundary conditions are derived using the so-called extended Hamilton principle. A Galerkin based reduced-order model (ROM) modal decomposition is developed to prescribe the non-classical nanotube mode shape as well as its static behavior under any applied DC actuation load. Results of the static analysis is compared with those obtained by both classical elasticity continuum and strain gradient theories. A Jacobian method is utilized to determine the variation of the natural frequencies of the nanobeam with the DC load as well as the slack level. A thorough parametric study is conducted to study the influences of the size scale dependent parameters, the geometric nonlinearity, the initial curvature, the gate voltage, and the temperature gradient effect on structural behavior of the CNT-based nano-actuator. It is found that the size effect based on the strain gradient deformation has significant influence on the fundamental nanotube natural frequency dispersion. Also, varying this size effect have revealed the offering of numerous possibilities of modes veering and crossing, all shown to be dependent of the strain gradient parameters as well as the CNT slack level.     

Static and free vibration analysis of sandwich cylindrical shell based on theory of elasticity and using DQM

In this paper, static and free vibration analysis of a sandwich cylindrical shell is performed using theory of elasticity formulation. The core layer is made of functionally graded material with material properties varying along the thickness direction according to a simple power law. For the case of simply supported boundary conditions, equations of motion and equilibrium equations are solved analytically by applying a state-space technique along the radial direction and Fourier series expansion along the axial and circumferential direction. When boundary conditions are not simply supported, a semi-analytically solution is performed by using the differential quadrature method along the axial direction. The present approach is validated by comparing the obtained numerical results with those published in the available literature. Moreover, effects of boundary conditions, graded direction, mid-radius to thickness and length to mid-radius ratios on bending and vibration behavior are considered.     

Magneto-thermo-mechanical dynamic buckling analysis of a FG-CNTs-reinforced curved microbeam with different boundary conditions using strain gradient theory

In this article, dynamic buckling analysis of an embedded curved microbeam reinforced by functionally graded carbon nanotubes is carried out. The structure is subjected to thermal, magnetic and harmonic mechanical loads. Timoshenko beam theory is employed to simulate the structure. Furthermore, the temperature-dependent surrounding elastic foundation is modeled by normal springs and a shear layer. Using strain gradient theory, the small scale effects are taken into account. The extended rule of mixture is employed to estimate the equivalent properties of the composite material. The governing equations and different boundary conditions are derived based on the energy method and Hamilton’s principle. Dynamic stability regions of the system are obtained using differential quadrature method. The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of different parameters such as small scale effect, boundary conditions, elastic foundation, volume fraction and distribution types of carbon nanotubes, magnetic field, temperature and central angle of the curved microbeam on the dynamic stability region of the system. The results indicate that by increasing the volume fraction of CNTs, the frequency of the system increases and thus the dynamic stability region occurs at higher frequencies.     

Buckling analysis of functionally graded microbeams based on the strain gradient theory

The buckling behavior of size-dependent microbeams made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) for different boundary conditions is investigated on the basis of Bernoulli–Euler beam and modified strain gradient theory. The higher-order governing differential equation for buckling with all possible classical and non-classical boundary conditions is obtained by a variational statement. The effects of the power of the material property variation function, boundary conditions, slenderness ratio, ratio of additional material length scale parameters for two constituents, beam thickness-to-additional material length scale parameter ratio on the buckling response of FGM microbeams are investigated. Some comparative results are presented in tabular and graphical form in order to show the differences between the results obtained by the present model and those predicted by modified couple stress and classical continuum models.     

A nonlinear thick plate formulation based on the modified strain gradient theory

A geometric nonlinear first-order shear deformation theory-based formulation is presented to analyze microplates. The formulations derived herein are based on a modified strain gradient theory and the von Karman nonlinear strains. The modified strain gradient theory includes five material length scale parameters capable to capture the size effects in small scales. The governing equations of motion and the most general form of boundary conditions of an arbitrary-shaped plate are derived using the principle of virtual displacements. The analysis is general and can be reduced to the modified couple stress plate model or the classical plate model.     

A size-dependent nonlinear Timoshenko microbeam model based on the strain gradient theory

The geometrically nonlinear governing differential equations of motion and the corresponding boundary conditions are derived for the mechanical analysis of Timoshenko microbeams with large deflections, based on the strain gradient theory. The variational approach is employed to achieve the formulation. Hinged-hinged beams are considered as an important practical case, and their nonlinear static and free-vibration behaviors are investigated based on the derived formulation.     

基于正弦剪切变形理论的功能梯度材料三明治微梁的静动态特性

基于修正的偶应力理论和正弦剪切变形梁理论,研究了功能梯度材料三明治微梁的静态弯曲和自由振动行为。考虑两种不同类型的功能梯度材料三明治微梁,根据哈密顿变分原理建立其静动态力学行为的控制方程,应用Navier解法,得到了简支边界条件下弯曲变形和振动频率的解析解,同时,给出了固支等边界条件时的里兹法求解过程。数值算例表明,功能梯度三明治微梁的静动态力学行为具有明显的尺度效应,微梁的无量纲厚度、功能梯度指数、长厚比和结构形式等因素对其静动态响应有很大影响,相关结果和规律对功能梯度材料三明治微梁的结构设计和性能优化等实际工程应用具有一定的指导意义。      

Solution of the Eshelby-type anti-plane strain polygonal inclusion problem based on a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory

The Eshelby-type inclusion problem of an infinite elastic body containing an anti-plane strain inclusion of arbitrary-shape polygonal cross-section is analytically solved using a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory that incorporates one material length scale parameter. The Eshelby tensor (with four nonzero components) is obtained in a general form in terms of two scalar-valued potential functions. These potential functions, as area integrals over the polygonal cross-section, are first converted to two line (contour) integrals using Green’s theorem, which are then evaluated analytically by direct integration. The newly derived Eshelby tensor is separated into a classical part and a gradient part. The former does not contain any elastic constant, while the latter includes the material length scale parameter, thereby enabling the interpretation of the particle (inclusion) size effect. For homogenization applications, the area average of the new position-dependent Eshelby tensor over the polygonal cross-section is also provided in a general form. To illustrate the newly obtained Eshelby tensor, five types of regular polygonal inclusions (i.e., triangular, quadrate, hexagonal, octagonal, and tetrakaidecagonal) are quantitatively studied by directly using the general formulas derived. The components of the induced strain and the averaged Eshelby tensor inside the inclusion are evaluated. Numerical results reveal that the induced strain varies with both the position and the inclusion size. The values of the induced strain components in a polygonal inclusion approach from below those in a corresponding circular inclusion when the inclusion size or the number of sides of the polygonal inclusion increases. The results for the averaged Eshelby tensor components show that the size effect is significant when the inclusion size is small but may be neglected for large inclusions.     

Steady-state crack growth and fracture work based on the theory of mechanism-based strain gradient plasticity

Mode I steady-state crack growth is analyzed under plane strain conditions in small scale yielding. The elastic-plastic solid is characterized by the mechanism-based strain gradient (MSG) plasticity theory [J. Mech. Phys. Solids 47 (1999) 1239, J. Mech. Phys. Solids 48 (2000) 99]. The distributions of the normal separation stress and the effective stress along the plane ahead of the crack tip are computed using a special finite element method based on the steady-state fundamental relations and the MSG flow theory. The results show that during the steady-state crack growth, the normal separation stress on the plane ahead of the crack tip can achieve considerably high value within the MSG strain gradient sensitive zone. The results also show that the crack tip fields are insensitive to the cell size parameter in the MSG theory. Moreover, in the present research, the steady-state fracture toughness is computed by adopting the embedded process zone (EPZ) model. The results display that the steady-state fracture toughness strongly depends on the separation strength parameter of the EPZ model and the length scale parameter in the MSG theory. Furthermore, in order for the results of steady crack growth to be comparable, an approximate relation between the length scale parameters in the MSG theory and in the Fleck-Hutchinson strain gradient plasticity theory is obtained.     

基于非局部应变梯度欧拉梁模型的充流单壁碳纳米管波动分析

将非局部弹性理论和应变梯度理论结合,再根据流体滑移边界理论,建立了考虑流体和固体小尺度效应的充流单壁碳纳米管(SWCNT)流固耦合动力学模型,分别以非局部应力效应、应变梯度效应和流体滑移边界效应模拟微观小尺度效应对系统的影响,推导得出充流单壁碳纳米管的Euler-Bernoulli梁波动控制方程。通过对控制方程的求解,分析材料不同类型尺度效应对充流碳纳米管的振动和波动特性影响。结果显示,应变梯度效应和流体边界效应对低频波动起促进作用,对高频波动起阻尼作用,应力非局部效应则对波动始终产生阻尼作用。三种尺度效应对低流速系统的振动有促进作用,而对高流速系统产生阻尼作用。     

Nonlinear vibration of nanobeams under electrostatic force based on the nonlocal strain gradient theory

International Journal of Mechanics and Materials in Design - The nonlinear vibration of a nanobeam under electrostatic force is investigated through the nonlocal strain gradient theory. Using...     

Analysis of functionally graded nanodisks under thermoelastic loading based on the strain gradient theory

In this paper, the thermoelastic behavior of a functionally graded nanodisk is studied based on the strain gradient theory. It is assumed that the nanodisk thickness is constant, and a power-law model is adopted to describe the variation of functionally graded material properties. Furthermore, the nanodisk angular acceleration is taken to be zero while it is subjected to an axisymmetric loading. Also, it is assumed that any variation in temperature occurs only in the radial direction. The equilibrium equation and the boundary conditions are deduced from Hamilton’s principle. The obtained results are compared with those of classical theory. These results show that both theories predict the same trend for the variation in radial displacements. The differences between the stresses obtained from classical and strain gradient theories are clearly highlighted. Increasing the value of the material inhomogeneity parameter, n, considerably affects the magnitudes and the corresponding peak values of the high-order stress \(\bar{\tau }_{rrr}\). Any rise in temperature at the outside radius has a direct effect on the total stresses and radial displacements in the nanodisk. Also, the effects of external load at the inner and outer radii on radial displacement as well as stress components are fully investigated.     

Dynamic stability of modified strain gradient theory sinusoidal viscoelastic piezoelectric polymeric functionally graded single-walled carbon nanotubes reinforced nanocomposite plate considering surface stress and agglomeration effects under hydro-thermo-electro-magneto-mechanical loadings

In this article, dynamic stability analysis of the viscoelastic piezoelectric polymeric nanocomposite plate reinforced by functionally graded single-walled carbon nanotubes (FG-SWCNTs) based on modified strain gradient theory (MSGT) is explored. The viscoelastic piezoelectric polymeric nanocomposite plate reinforced is subjected to hydrothermal and electro-magneto-mechanical loadings. The viscoelastic piezoelectric polymeric nanocomposite plate is rested on viscoelastic foundation. Uniform distribution (UD), various functionally graded (FG) distribution types such as FG-V, FG-X, and FG-O are considered for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The extended mixture approach is applied to estimation of the elastic properties. The equations of motion are derived by Hamilton's principle. The resonance frequency or the parametric resonance is obtained then dynamic stability region is specified. There is a good agreement between the present work and the literature result. Various parametric investigations are performed for the influences of the small scale parameters, direct and alternating applied voltage, magnetic field, viscoelastic foundation coefficients, and aspect ratios on the dynamic stability region of the viscoelastic piezoelectric polymeric nanocomposite plate. The results indicated that SWCNT agglomeration and surface stress have significant effects on the dynamic stability region and the parametric resonance. Dynamic stability region increases with increasing of thickness to width ratio, magnetic field, applied voltage, static load factor, viscoelastic foundation parameters, and surface density constant, and decreasing of length to width ratio and residual surface stress constant. Also, the dynamic stability region shifts to lower parameter resonance with increasing of temperature and moisture changes. The results can be employed for design of micro-electro-mechanical systems and nano-electro-mechanical systems.     

Biaxial buckling analysis of double-orthotropic microplate-systems including in-plane magnetic field based on strain gradient theory

Background/purposeThis paper deals with analysis of biaxial buckling behavior of double-orthotropic microplate system including in-plane magnetic field, using strain gradient theory.MethodsTwo Kirchhoff microplates are coupled by an internal elastic medium and also are limited to the external Pasternak elastic foundation. Utilizing the principle of total potential energy, the equilibrium equations of motion for three cases (out-of-phase buckling, in-phase buckling and buckling with a plate) are acquired. In this study, we assumed boundary conditions of all the edges are simply supported. In order to get exact solution for buckling load of system, Navier approach which satisfies the simply supported boundary conditions is applied.ResultsVariations of the buckling load of double-microplate system subjected to biaxial compression corresponding to various values of the thickness, length scale parameter, magnetic field, stiffness of internal and external elastic medium, aspect ratio, shear stiffness of the Pasternak foundation and biaxial compression ratio are investigated. Furthermore, influence of higher modes on buckling load is shown. By comparing the numerical results, it is found that dimensionless buckling load ratio for in-phase mode is more than those of out of phase and one microplate fixed. Also it is shown that the value of buckling load ratio reduces, when non-dimensional length scale parameter increases.ConclusionHowever, we found when properties of plate are orthotropic the buckling load ratio is more than isotropic state. Also, by considering the effect of magnetic field, non-dimensional buckling load ratio reduces.     

Modeling fracture toughness of ferritic and austenitic functionally graded steel based on the strain gradient plasticity theory

Functionally graded ferritic and austenitic steels were produced through electroslag refining by setting the austenitic stainless steels and plain carbon steel with appropriate thickness as electrode. Fracture toughness of the specimen in terms of J_IC was studied and modeled regarding the mechanism-based strain gradient plasticity theory. The yield stress of each layer was related to the density of the dislocations of that layer and assuming Holloman relation for the corresponding stress–strain curves, tensile strengths of the constituent layers were determined via numerical method. Fracture toughness of each layer was related to the corresponding area under stress–strain curve of that layer and finally by applying the rule of mixtures, fracture toughness of functionally graded steels was determined. The obtained results of the proposed model are in good agreement with the experimental ones.     

Free vibration analysis of size-dependent functionally graded microbeams based on the strain gradient Timoshenko beam theory

Investigated herein is the free vibration characteristics of microbeams made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) based on the strain gradient Timoshenko beam theory. The material properties of the functionally graded beams are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction according to the Mori–Tanaka scheme. Using Hamilton’s principle, the equations of motion together with corresponding boundary conditions are obtained for the free vibration analysis of FGM microbeams including size effect. A detailed parametric study is performed to indicate the influences of beam thickness, dimensionless length scale parameter, and slenderness ratio on the natural frequencies of FGM microbeams. Moreover, a comparison between the various beam models on the basis of the classical theory (CT), modified couple stress theory (MCST), and strain gradient theory (SGT) is presented for different values of material property gradient index. It is observed that the value of gradient index play an important role in the vibrational response of the microbeams of lower slenderness ratios. It is further observed that by increasing the length-to-thickness ratio of the microbeam, the value of dimensionless natural frequency tends to decrease for all amounts of the gradient index.     

Free vibration analysis of size-dependent functionally graded microbeams based on the strain gradient Timoshenko beam theory

Investigated herein is the free vibration characteristics of microbeams made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) based on the strain gradient Timoshenko beam theory. The material properties of the functionally graded beams are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction according to the Mori–Tanaka scheme. Using Hamilton’s principle, the equations of motion together with corresponding boundary conditions are obtained for the free vibration analysis of FGM microbeams including size effect. A detailed parametric study is performed to indicate the influences of beam thickness, dimensionless length scale parameter, and slenderness ratio on the natural frequencies of FGM microbeams. Moreover, a comparison between the various beam models on the basis of the classical theory (CT), modified couple stress theory (MCST), and strain gradient theory (SGT) is presented for different values of material property gradient index. It is observed that the value of gradient index play an important role in the vibrational response of the microbeams of lower slenderness ratios. It is further observed that by increasing the length-to-thickness ratio of the microbeam, the value of dimensionless natural frequency tends to decrease for all amounts of the gradient index.