Modeling and analysis of micro-sized plates resting on elastic medium using the modified couple stress theory

Analytical solutions for bending, buckling, and vibration of micro-sized plates on elastic medium using the modified couple stress theory are presented. The governing equations for bending, buckling and vibration are obtained via Hamilton’s principles in conjunctions with the modified couple stress and Kirchhoff plate theories. The surrounding elastic medium is modeled as the Winkler elastic foundation. Navier’s method is being employed and analytical solutions for the bending, buckling and free vibration problems are obtained. Influences of the elastic medium and the length scale parameter on the bending, buckling, and vibration properties are discussed.     

A size-dependent Kirchhoff micro-plate model based on strain gradient elasticity theory

A size-dependent Kirchhoff micro-plate model is developed based on the strain gradient elasticity theory. The model contains three material length scale parameters, which may effectively capture the size effect. The model can also degenerate into the modified couple stress plate model or the classical plate model, if two or all of the material length scale parameters are taken to be zero. The static bending, instability and free vibration problems of a rectangular micro-plate with all edges simple supported are carried out to illustrate the applicability of the present size-dependent model. The results are compared with the reduced models. The present model can predict prominent size-dependent normalized stiffness, buckling load, and natural frequency with the reduction of structural size, especially when the plate thickness is on the same order of the material length scale parameter.     

Size-dependent axial buckling analysis of functionally graded circular cylindrical microshells based on the modified strain gradient elasticity theory

In this paper, a size-dependent first-order shear deformable shell model is developed based upon the modified strain gradient theory (MSGT) for the axial buckling analysis of functionally graded (FG) circular cylindrical microshells. It is assumed that the material properties of FG materials, which obey a simple power-law distribution, vary through the thickness direction. The principle of virtual work is utilized to formulate the governing equations and corresponding boundary conditions. Numerical results are presented for the axial buckling of FG circular cylindrical microshells subject to simply-supported end conditions and the effects of material length scale parameter, material property gradient index, length-to-radius ratio and circumferential mode number on the size-dependent critical buckling load are extensively studied. For comparison purpose, the critical buckling loads predicted by modified couple stress theory (MCST) and classical theory (CT) are also presented. Results show that the size effect plays an important role for lower values of dimensionless length scale parameter. Moreover, it is observed that the critical buckling loads obtained based on MSGT are greater than those obtained based on MCST and CT.     

Investigation of the size effects in Timoshenko beams based on the couple stress theory

In this paper, a size-dependent Timoshenko beam is developed on the basis of the couple stress theory. The couple stress theory is a non-classic continuum theory capable of capturing the small-scale size effects on the mechanical behavior of structures, while the classical continuum theory is unable to predict the mechanical behavior accurately when the characteristic size of structures is close to the material length scale parameter. The governing differential equations of motion are derived for the couple-stress Timoshenko beam using the principles of linear and angular momentum. Then, the general form of boundary conditions and generally valid closed-form analytical solutions are obtained for the axial deformation, bending deflection, and the rotation angle of cross sections in the static cases. As an example, the closed-form analytical results are obtained for the response of a cantilever beam subjected to a static loading with a concentrated force at its free end. The results indicate that modeling on the basis of the couple stress theory causes more stiffness than modeling by the classical beam theory. In addition, the results indicate that the differences between the results of the proposed model and those based on the classical Euler–Bernoulli and classical Timoshenko beam theories are significant when the beam thickness is comparable to its material length scale parameter.     

VIBRATION ANALYSIS OF MICROSCALE PLATES BASED ON MODIFIED COUPLE STRESS THEORY

A non-classical Kirchhoff plate model is developed for the dynamic analysis of microscale plates based on the modified couple stress theory in which an internal material length scale parameter is included. Unlike the classical Kirchhoff plate model, the newly developed model can capture the size effect of microscale plates. Two boundary value problems of rectangular micro- plates are solved and the size effect on the lowest two natural frequencies is investigated. It is shown that the natural frequencies of the microscale plates predicted by the current model are size-dependent when the plate thickness is comparable to the material length scale parameter.     

Size-dependent vibration of functionally graded curved microbeams based on the modified strain gradient elasticity theory

On the basis of the modified strain gradient elasticity theory, the free vibration characteristics of curved microbeams made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) whose material properties vary in the thickness direction are investigated. A size-dependent first-order shear deformation beam model is developed containing three internal material length scale parameters to incorporate small-scale effect. Through Hamilton’s principle, the higher-order governing equations of motion and boundary conditions are derived. Natural frequencies of FGM curved microbeams corresponding to different mode numbers are evaluated for over a wide range of material property gradient index, dimensionless length scale parameter and aspect ratio. Moreover, the results obtained via the present non-classical first-order shear deformation beam model are compared with those of degenerated beam models based on the modified couple stress and the classical theories. It is found that the difference between the natural frequencies predicted by the various beam models is more significant for lower values of dimensionless length scale parameter and higher values of mode number.     

Size-dependent effect on biaxial and shear nonlinear buckling analysis of nonlocal isotropic and orthotropic micro-plate based on surface stress and modified couple stress theories using differential quadrature method

The size-dependent effect on the biaxial and shear nonlinear buckling analysis of an isotropic and orthotropic micro-plate based on the surface stress,the modified couple stress theory(MCST),and the nonlocal elasticity theories using the differential quadrature method(DQM)is presented.Main advantages of the MCST over the classical theory(CT)are the inclusion of the asymmetric couple stress tensor and the consideration of only one material length scale parameter.Based on the nonlinear von K′arm′an assumption,the governing equations of equilibrium for the micro-classical plate considering midplane displacements are derived based on the minimum principle of potential energy.Using the DQM,the biaxial and shear critical buckling loads of the micro-plate for various boundary conditions are obtained.Accuracy of the obtained results is validated by comparing the solutions with those reported in the literature.A parametric study is conducted to show the effects of the aspect ratio,the side-to-thickness ratio,Eringen’s nonlocal parameter,the material length scale parameter,Young’s modulus of the surface layer,the surface residual stress,the polymer matrix coefficients,and various boundary conditions on the dimensionless uniaxial,biaxial,and shear critical buckling loads.The results indicate that the critical buckling loads are strongly sensitive to Eringen’s nonlocal parameter,the material length scale parameter,and the surface residual stress effects,while the effect of Young’s modulus of the surface layer on the critical buckling load is negligible.Also,considering the size dependent effect causes the increase in the stiffness of the orthotropic micro-plate.The results show that the critical biaxial buckling load increases with an increase in G12/E2and vice versa for E1/E2.It is shown that the nonlinear biaxial buckling ratio decreases as the aspect ratio increases and vice versa for the buckling amplitude.Because of the most lightweight micro-composite materials with high strength/weight and stiffness/weight ratios,it is anticipated that the results of the present work are useful in experimental characterization of the mechanical properties of micro-composite plates in the aircraft industry and other engineering applications.     

基于各向异性修正偶应力理论的Reddy型层合板的自由振动

本文基于各向异性修正偶应力理论建立了只含一个尺度参数的Reddy型复合材料层合板的自由振动模型。同见诸于文献的细观尺度Kirchhoff薄板偶应力模型相比,本文提出的新模型能够更精确的预测细观尺度下的中、厚层合板的自振频率。基于Hamilton原理推导了细观尺度下Reddy型复合材料层合板的运动微分方程以及边界条件,并以正交铺设的四边简支复合材料层合方板为例进行了解析求解,分析了尺度参数对自振频率的影响并对比了Kirchhoff、Mindlin和Reddy等三种板模型计算结果的异同。算例结果表明本文所给出的模型能够捕捉到复合材料层合板自由振动问题的尺度效应。另外,在细观尺度下Kirchhoff板模型所预测的自振频率相对于Mindlin板模型和Reddy板模型总是过高,且越接近厚板三者的差别就越大,这与经典理论中三种板模型的对比情况是一致的。     

碳纳米管增强型复合材料功能梯度板的自由振动模型与尺度效应

基于一种新的各向异性修正偶应力理论,建立了碳纳米管增强复合材料功能梯度板的自由振动模型。该模型能够描述尺度效应,且仅包含一个尺度参数。基于一阶剪切变形理论和哈密顿原理推演了板的运动微分方程,并以四边简支板为例给出了自振频率的解析解。讨论了板的几何尺寸、碳纳米管体分比含量和分布方式等因素对板的自振频率的影响。结果表明,本文模型所预测的板的自振基频总是高于经典弹性理论的Mindlin板模型的预测结果,两者间的差异在板的几何尺寸接近尺度参数的值时非常明显,且会随着板的几何尺寸的增大而逐渐消失。     

Modal interactions in primary and subharmonic resonant dynamics of imperfect microplates with geometric nonlinearities

This paper analyses the modal interactions in the nonlinear, size-dependent dynamics of geometrically imperfect microplates. Based on the modified couple stress theory,the equations of motion for the in-plane and out-of-plane motions are obtained employing the von Kármán plate theory as well as Kirchhoff's hypotheses by means of the Lagrange equations. The equations of motions are solved using the pseudo-arclength continuation technique and direct timeintegration method. The system parameters are tuned to the values associated with modal interactions, and then nonlinear resonant responses and energy transfer are analysed.Nonlinear motion characteristics are shown in the form of frequency-response and force-response curves, time histories, phase-plane portraits, and fast Fourier transforms.     

A size-dependent Reddy–Levinson beam model based on a strain gradient elasticity theory

A size-dependent Reddy–Levinson beam model is developed based on a strain gradient elasticity theory. Governing equations and boundary conditions are derived by using Hamilton’s principle. The model contains three material length scale parameters, which may effectively capture the size effect in micron or sub-micron. This model can degenerate into the modified couple stress model or even the classical model if two or all material length scale parameters are taken to be zero respectively. In addition, the present model recovers the micro scale Timoshenko and Bernoulli–Euler beam models based on the same strain gradient elasticity theory. To illustrate the new model, the static bending and free vibration problems of a simply supported micro scale Reddy–Levinson beam are solved respectively; the results are compared with the reduced models. Numerical results reveal that the differences in the deflection, rotation and natural frequency predicted by the present model and the other two reduced Reddy–Levinson models are getting larger as the beam thickness is comparable to the material length scale parameters. These differences, however, are decreasing or even diminishing with the increase of the beam thickness. This study may be helpful to characterize the mechanical properties of small scale beam-like structures for a wide range of potential applications.     

Investigation of size-dependent quasistatic response of electrically actuated nonlinear viscoelastic microcantilevers and microbridges

This study investigates the size-dependent quasistatic response of a nonlinear viscoelastic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) under an electric actuation. To have this problem in view, the deformable electrode of the MEMS is modelled using cantilever and doubly-clamped viscoelastic microbeams. The modified couple stress theory in conjunction with Bernoulli–Euler beam theory are used for mathematical modeling of the size-dependent instability of microsystems in the framework of linear viscoelastic theory. Simultaneous effect of electrostatic actuation including fringing field, residual stress, mid-plane stretching and Casimir and van der Waals intermolecular forces are considered in the theoretical model. A single element of the standard linear solid element is used to simulate the viscoelastic behavior. Based on the extended Hamilton’s variational principle, the nonlinear governing integro-differential equation and boundary conditions are derived. Thereafter, a new generalized differential-integral quadrature solution for the nonlinear quasistatic response of electrically actuated viscoelastic micro/nanobeams under two different boundary conditions; doubly-clamped microbridge and clamped-free microcantilever. The developed model is verified and a good agreement is obtained. Finally, a comprehensive study is conducted to investigate the effects of various parameters such as material relaxation time, durable modulus, material length scale parameter, Casimir force, van der Waals force, initial gap and beam length on the pull-in response of viscoelastic microbridges and microcantilevers in the framework of viscoelasticity.     

Buckling and postbuckling of size-dependent cracked microbeams based on a modified couple stress theory

The elastic buckling analysis and the static postbuckling response of the Euler–Bernoulli microbeams containing an open edge crack are studied based on a modified couple stress theory. The cracked section is modeled by a massless elastic rotational spring. This model contains a material length scale parameter and can capture the size effect. The von Kármán nonlinearity is applied to display the postbuckling behavior. Analytical solutions of a critical buckling load and the postbuckling response are presented for simply supported cracked microbeams. This parametric study indicates the effects of the crack location, crack severity, and length scale parameter on the buckling and postbuckling behaviors of cracked microbeams.     

Size-dependent response of ultra-thin films with surface effects

A modified continuum model of elastic films with nano-scale thickness is proposed by incorporating surface elasticity into the conventional nonlinear Von Karman plate theory. By using Hamilton’s principle, the governing equations and boundary conditions of the ultra-thin film including surface effects are derived within the Kirchhoff’s assumption, where the effects of non-zero normal stress and large deflection are taken into account simultaneously. The present model is then applied to studying the bending, buckling and free vibration of simply supported micro/nano-scale thin films in-plane strains and explicit exact solutions can be obtained for these three cases. The size-dependent mechanical behavior of the thin film due to surface effects is well elucidated in the obtained solutions.     

A new modified couple stress theory for anisotropic elasticity and microscale laminated Kirchhoff plate model

A new modified couple stress theory for anisotropic elasticity is proposed. This theory contains three material length scale parameters. Differing from the modified couple stress theory, the couple stress constitutive relationships are introduced for anisotropic elasticity, in which the curvature (rotation gradient) tensor is asymmetric and the couple stress moment tensor is symmetric. However, under isotropic case, this theory can be identical to modified couple stress theory proposed by Yang et al. (Int J Solids Struct 39:2731–2743, 2002). The differences and relations of standard, modified and new modified couple stress theories are given herein. A detailed variational formulation is provided for this theory by using the principle of minimum total potential energy. Based on the new modified couple stress theory, composite laminated Kirchhoff plate models are developed in which new anisotropic constitutive relationships are defined. The First model contains two material length scale parameters, one related to fiber and the other related to matrix. The curvature tensor in this model is asymmetric; however, the couple stress moment tensor is symmetric. Under isotropic case, this theory can be identical to the modified couple stress theory proposed by Yang et al. (Int J Solids Struct 39:2731–2743, 2002). The present model can be viewed as a simplified couple stress theory in engineering mechanics. Moreover, a more simplified model of couple stress theory including only one material length scale parameter for modeling the cross-ply laminated Kirchhoff plate is suggested. Numerical results show that the proposed laminated Kirchhoff plate model can capture the scale effects of microstructures.     

Pull-in voltage analysis of electrostatically actuated MEMS with piezoelectric layers: A size-dependent model

A size-dependent model for electrostatically actuated microbeam-based MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) with piezoelectric layers attached is developed based on a modified couple stress theory. By using Hamilton's principle, the nonlinear differential governing equation and boundary conditions of the MEM structure are derived. In the newly developed model, the residual stresses, fringing-field and axial stress effects are considered for the fixed–fixed microbeam with piezoelectric layers. The results of the present model are compared with those from the classical model. The results show the size effect becomes prominent if the beam dimension is comparable to the material length scale parameter (MLSP). The effects of MLSP, the residual stresses and axial stress on the pull-in voltage are also studied. The study may be helpful to characterize the mechanical and electrostatic properties of small size MEMS, or guide the design of microbeam-based devices for a wide range of potential applications.     

基于修正偶应力和高阶剪切变形理论的变截面微梁的自由振动

基于修正偶应力和高阶剪切理论建立了仅含有一个尺度参数的Reddy变截面微梁的自由振动模型,研究了变截面微梁自由振动问题的尺度效应和横向剪切变形对自振频率计算的影响。基于哈密顿原理推导了动力学方程与边界条件,并采用微分求积法求解了各种边界条件下的自振频率。算例结果表明,基于偶应力理论预测的变截面微梁的自振频率均大于经典梁理论的预测结果,即捕捉到了尺度效应。另外,梁的几何尺寸与尺度参数越接近,尺度效应就越明显,而梁的长细比越小,横向剪切变形对自振频率的影响就越明显。     

基于新修正偶应力理论的Mindlin层合板稳定性分析

基于新的各向异性修正偶应力理论提出一个Mindlin复合材料层合板稳定性模型。该理论包含纤维和基体两个不同的材料长度尺度参数。不同于忽略横向剪切应力的修正偶应力Kirchhoff薄板理论,Mindlin层合板考虑横向剪切变形引入两个转角变量。进一步建立了只含一个材料细观参数的偶应力Mindlin层合板工程理论的稳定性模型。计算了正交铺设简支方板Mindlin层合板的临界载荷。计算结果表明该模型可以用于分析细观尺度层合板稳定性的尺寸效应。     

Size-dependent dynamic pull-in instability of hydrostatically and electrostatically actuated circular microplates

In the present study, the dynamic pull-in instability and free vibration of circular microplates subjected to combined hydrostatic and electrostatic forces are investigated. To take size effects into account, the strain gradient elasticity theory is incorporated into the Kirchhoff plate theory to develop a nonclassical plate model including three internal material length scale parameters. By using Hamilton’s principle, the higher-order governing equation and the corresponding boundary conditions are obtained. Afterward, a generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method is employed to discritize the governing differential equations along with simply supported and clamped edge supports. To evaluate the pull-in voltage and vibration frequencies of actuated microplates, the hydrostatic-electrostatic actuation is assumed to be calculated by neglecting the fringing field effects and utilizing the parallel plate approximation. Also, a comparison between the pull-in voltages predicted by the strain gradient theory and the degenerated ones is presented. It is revealed that increasing the dimensionless internal length scale parameter or decreasing the applied hydrostatic pressures leads to higher values of the pull-in voltage. Moreover, it is found that the value of pull-in hydrostatic pressure decreases corresponding to higher dimensionless internal length scale parameters and applied voltages.     

Size effect on cracked functional composite micro-plates by an XIGA-based effective approach

Failure of structures and their components is one of major problems in engineering. Studies on mechanical behavior of functionally graded (FG) microplates with defects or cracks by effective numerical methods are rarely reported in literature. In this paper, an effective numerical model is derived based on extended isogeometric analysis (XIGA) for assessment of vibration and buckling of FG microplates with cracks. Based on the modified couple stress theory, the non-classical theory of Reissner–Mindlin plate is extended to capture microstructure, and thus, the size effect. In such theory, possessing C¹-continuity is straightforward with the high-order continuity of non-uniform rational B-spline. Due to the use of enrichments in XIGA, crack geometry is independent of the computational mesh. Numerical examples are performed to illustrate the effects of microplate aspect ratio, crack length, internal material length scale parameter, material distribution, and boundary condition on the mechanical responses of cracked FG microplates. The obtained results are compared with reference solutions and that shows that the frequency and buckling loads increases with decreasing the size of FG microplates and crack length. The convergence of the present method is also studied.