Stability characteristics of single-layered silicon carbide nanosheets under uniaxial compression

The buckling behavior of single-layered silicon carbide nanosheets (SLSiCNSs) is investigated by employing an atomistic finite element model. Preserving the discrete nature of nanosheets, the beam elements are used to model the Si–C bounds. The effects of aspect ratio and boundary conditions on the stability of zigzag and armchair SLSiCNSs have been studied. Based on the results, it is observed that the buckling forces of small sheets are strongly size-dependent. However, the size-dependent behavior will diminish for larger sheets. Comparing the buckling force of armchair and zigzag nanosheets with same geometries and boundary conditions shows that the buckling force is independent of chirality.     

Studying the buckling and vibration characteristics of single-walled zinc oxide nanotubes using a nanoscale finite element model

The free vibration and axial buckling of achiral zinc oxide nanotubes (ZnONTs) are studied in this paper based on a three-dimensional finite-element model in which bonds are modeled using beam elements and mass elements are placed at the joints of beams instead of atoms. To determine the mechanical properties of the nanotubes, a linkage is established between molecular mechanics and density functional theory. The fundamental frequency and critical buckling load of ZnONTs with different geometries, chiralities and boundary conditions are calculated. It is shown that zigzag nanotubes are more stable than armchair ones. Investigating the effect of aspect ratio on the critical force shows that longer nanotubes are less stable. Also, it is indicated that increasing the length of the nanotubes will result in decreasing the frequency. Moreover, as the aspect ratio increases, the effect of end conditions diminishes.     

Buckling analysis of variable thickness nanoplates using nonlocal continuum mechanics

This paper presents an investigation on the buckling characteristics of nanoscale rectangular plates under bi-axial compression considering non-uniformity in the thickness. Based on the nonlocal continuum mechanics, governing differential equations are derived. Numerical solutions for the buckling loads are obtained using the Galerkin method. The present study shows that the buckling behaviors of single-layered graphene sheets (SLGSs) are strongly sensitive to the nonlocal and non-uniform parameters. The influence of percentage change of thickness on the stability of SLGSs is more significant in the strip-type nonoplates (nanoribbons) than in the square-type nanoplates.     

Atomistic evaluation of the stress concentration factor of graphene sheets having circular holes

Stress concentration factor concept has been developed for single-layered graphene sheets (SLGSs) with circular holes through an atomistic point of view by the application of molecular structural mechanics (MSM) approach. In this approach the response of SLGSs against unidirectional tensile loading is matched to the response of a frame-like macro structure containing beam elements by making an equivalence between strain energies of beam elements in MSM and potential energies of chemical bonds of SLGSs. Both chirality and size effects are considered and the atomistic evaluation of stress concentration factor is performed for different sizes of circular holes. Also, molecular dynamics simulations are implemented to verify the existence and location of the predicted stress concentration. The results reveal that size effects and the diameters of circular holes have a significant influence on the stress concentration factor of SLGSs and armchair SLGSs show a larger value of stress concentration than zigzag ones.     

Nonlocal elasticity theory for thermal buckling of nanoplates lying on Winkler–Pasternak elastic substrate medium

In the present work, thermal buckling of single-layered graphene sheets lying on an elastic medium is analyzed. For this purpose, the sinusoidal shear deformation plate theory in tandem with the nonlocal continuum theory, which takes the small scale effects into account, is employed. The non-linear stability equations, which contain the reaction of Winkler–Pasternak elastic substrate medium, are derived and then solved analytically for a plate with various boundary conditions and based on various plate theories. Closed form solutions are formulated for three types of thermal loadings as uniform, linear and nonlinear temperature rise through the thickness of the plate. A number of examples are presented to illustrate the numerical results concerned with the buckling temperature response of nanoplates resting on two-parameter elastic foundations. The influences played by transversal shear deformation, plate aspect ratio, side-to-thickness ratio, nonlocal parameter, and elastic foundation parameters are all investigated.     

Fracture analysis of monolayer graphene sheets with double vacancy defects via MD simulation

Carbon nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene sheets have attracted great attention due to their exceptionally high strength and elastic strain. These extraordinary mechanical properties, however, can be affected by the presence of defects in their structures. When a material contains multiple defects, it is expected that the stress concentration of them superposes if the separation distances of the defects are low, which causes a more reduction of the strength. On the other hand, it is believed that if the defects are far enough such that their affected areas are distinct, their behavior is similar to a material with single defect. In this article, molecular dynamics (MD) is used to explore the influence of separation distance of double vacancy defects on the mechanical properties of single-layered graphene sheets (SLGSs). To this end, critical stress and strain of SLGSs containing double vacancy with different distances are determined and the results are compared with those of perfect SLGSs and graphene sheets with single vacancy defect. The results reveal that the ultimate strength of the SLGS with double vacancy tends to the one with a single vacancy when the separation distance becomes further. In this regard, the threshold distance beyond which double defects behave like a single one is examined. Finally, Young’s modulus of perfect, single and double vacancy defected graphene sheets with different separation distances is determined. It is concluded that this property is slightly affected by the separation distance.     

Nonlocal plate model for free vibrations of single-layered graphene sheets

Vibration analysis of single-layered graphene sheets (SLGSs) is investigated using nonlocal continuum plate model. To this end, Eringens's nonlocal elasticity equations are incorporated into the classical Mindlin plate theory for vibrations of rectangular nanoplates. In contrast to the classical model, the nonlocal model developed in this study has the capability to evaluate the natural frequencies of the graphene sheets with considering the size-effects on the vibrational characteristics of them. Solutions for frequencies of the free vibration of simply-supported and clamped SLGSs are computed using generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method. Then, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the free vibration of various SLGSs with different values of side length and chirality are employed, the results of which are matched with the nonlocal model ones to derive the appropriate values of the nonlocal parameter relevant to each boundary condition. It is found that the value of the nonlocal parameter is independent of the magnitude of the geometrical variables of the system.     

Buckling analysis of carbon nanotube bundles under axial compressive,bending and torsional loadings via a structural mechanics model

A structural mechanics model is employed for the investigation of the buckling behavior of carbon nanotube bundles of three single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) under axial compressive, bending and torsional loadings. The effects of van der Waals (vdW) forces are further modeled using a nonlinear spring element.The effects of different types of boundary conditions are studied for nanotubes with various aspect ratios. The results reveal that bundles comprising longer SWCNTs exhibit lower critical buckling load. Moreover, for the fixed-free boundary condition the rate of critical buckling load reduction is highest, while the lowest critical buckling load occurs. Simulations show good agreement between our model and molecular dynamics results.     

Axisymmetric buckling of the circular graphene sheets with the nonlocal continuum plate model

In this article, the buckling behavior of nanoscale circular plates under uniform radial compression is studied. Small-scale effect is taken into consideration. Using nonlocal elasticity theory the governing equations are derived for the circular single-layered graphene sheets (SLGS). Explicit expressions for the buckling loads are obtained for clamped and simply supported boundary conditions. It is shown that nonlocal effects play an important role in the buckling of circular nanoplates. The effects of the small scale on the buckling loads considering various parameters such as the radius of the plate and mode numbers are investigated.     

Explicit analytical expressions for the critical buckling stresses in a monolayer graphene sheet based on nonlocal elasticity

Explicit expressions are given to study the biaxial buckling of monolayer graphene sheets. Based upon the continuum mechanics, a plate model is adopted in which the small length scale effect is incorporated into the governing equation through the nonlocal elasticity theory of Eringen. By employing the Galerkin method, analytical expressions are derived which allow quick and accurate calculation of the critical buckling loads of monolayer graphene sheets with various boundary conditions from the static deflection under a uniformly distributed load. The effectiveness of the present study is assessed by molecular dynamics simulations as a benchmark of good accuracy.     

Nonlocal vibration of coupled DLGS systems embedded on Visco-Pasternak foundation

In this paper, vibration analysis of the coupled system of double-layered graphene sheets (CS-DLGSs) embedded in a Visco-Pasternak foundation is carried out using the nonlocal elasticity theory of orthotropic plate. The two DLGSs are coupled by an enclosing viscoelastic medium which is simulated as a Visco-Pasternak foundation. Considering the Von Kármán nonlinear strain-displacement-relations, the motion equations are derived using the Hamilton's principle. Differential quadrature method (DQM) is applied to obtain the frequency ratio for various boundary conditions. The detailed parametric study is conducted, focusing on the combined effects of the nonlocal parameter, aspect ratio, graphene sheet's size, boundary conditions and the elastic and viscoelastic medium coefficients on the frequency ratio of CS-DLGSs. In this coupled system, two case of DLGSs vibration are investigated and compared with each other: (1) In-phase vibration (2) Out-of-phase vibration. The results indicate that the frequency ratio of the CS-DLGSs is more than the single-layered graphene sheet (SLGS). The results are in good agreement with the previous researches.     

Mechanical properties of defective single-layered graphene sheets via molecular dynamics simulation

In this paper, the effects of two main types of structural defects, i.e. Stone–Wales and single vacancy, on the mechanical properties of single-layered graphene sheets (SLGSs) are investigated. To this end, molecular dynamics simulations based on the Tersoff–Brenner potential function and Nose–Hoover thermostat technique are implemented. The results obtained have revealed that the presence of defects significantly reduces the failure strain and the intrinsic strength of SLGSs, while it has a slight effect on Young’s modulus. Furthermore, the examination of loading in both armchair and zigzag directions demonstrated that SLGSs are slightly stronger in the armchair direction and defects have lower effect in this direction. Considering the fracture mechanism, the failure process of defective and perfect graphene sheets is also presented.     

Vibration and buckling of a double-beam system under compressive axial loading

On the basis of the Bernoulli–Euler beam theory, the properties of free transverse vibration and buckling of a double-beam system under compressive axial loading are investigated in this paper. It is assumed that the two beams of the system are simply supported and continuously joined by a Winkler elastic layer. Explicit expressions are derived for the natural frequencies and the associated amplitude ratios of the two beams, and the analytical solution of the critical buckling load is obtained. The influences of the compressive axial loading on the responses of the double-beam system are discussed. It is shown that the critical buckling load of the system is related to the axial compression ratio of the two beams and the Winkler elastic layer, and the properties of free transverse vibration of the system greatly depend on the axial compressions.     

Elastic instability of bilayer graphene using atomistic finite element

In-plane elastic instability of bilayer graphene sheets is investigated using atomistic finite element approaches. The equivalent homogenised properties of graphene sheet are expressed in terms of the thickness, equilibrium lengths and force-field models used to represent the C–C bonds of the graphene lattice. The covalent bonds are represented as structural beams with stretching, bending, torsional and shear deformation, and the strain energies associated to affine deformation mechanisms. The overall mechanical properties and geometric configurations of the nano-structures represented as truss assemblies are then calculated minimising the total potential energy associated to the loading, thickness and average equilibrium lengths of the bonds. Different boundary conditions and aspect ratios are considered for both bilayer and single-layer graphene sheets. The bilayer graphene sheets are found to be offering remarkably higher buckling strengths as compared to single-layer sheets.     

Buckling of single layer graphene sheet based on nonlocal elasticity and higher order shear deformation theory

Higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT) is reformulated using the nonlocal differential constitutive relations of Eringen. The equations of motion of the nonlocal theories are derived. The developed equations of motion have been applied to study buckling characteristics of nanoplates such as graphene sheets. Navier's approach has been used to solve the governing equations for all edges simply supported boundary conditions. Analytical solutions for critical buckling loads of the graphene sheets are presented. Nonlocal elasticity theories are employed to bring out the small scale effect on the critical buckling load of graphene sheets. Effects of (i) nonlocal parameter, (ii) length, (iii) thickness of the graphene sheets and (iv) higher order shear deformation theory on the critical buckling load have been investigated. The theoretical development as well as numerical solutions presented herein should serve as reference for nonlocal theories as applied to the stability analysis of nanoplates and nanoshells.     

Influence of temperature change on column buckling of multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Based on theory of thermal elasticity mechanics, an elastic multiple column model is developed for column buckling of MWNTs with large aspect ratios under axial compression coupling with temperature change. In this model, each of the nested concentric tubes is regarded as an individual column and the deflection of all the columns is coupled together through the van der Waals interactions between adjacent tubes. The thermal effect is incorporated in the formulation. Following this model, an explicit expression is derived for the critical buckling strain for a double-walled carbon nanotube. The influence of temperature change on the buckling strain is investigated. It is concluded that the effect of temperature change on the buckling strain is dependent on the temperature changes, the aspect ratios, and the buckling modes of carbon nanotubes.     

Prediction of compressive post-buckling behavior of single-walled carbon nanotubes in thermal environments

In the present investigation, the axial buckling and post-buckling configurations of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are studied including the thermal environment effect. For this purpose, Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity continuum theory is implemented into the classical Euler–Bernoulli beam theory to represent the SWCNTs as a nonlocal elastic beam model. A closed-form analytical solution is carried out to analyze the static response of SWCNTs in their post-buckling state in which the axial buckling load is assumed to be beyond the critical axial buckling load. Common sets of boundary conditions, named simply supported–simply supported (SS–SS), clamped–clamped (C–C), and clamped–simply supported (C–SS), are considered in the investigation. Selected numerical results are given to represent the variation of the carbon nanotube’s mid-span deflection with the applied axial load corresponding to various nonlocal parameters, length-to-diameter aspect ratios, temperature changes, and end supports. Moreover, a comparison between the post-buckling behaviors of SWCNTs at low- and high-temperature environments is presented. It is found that the size effect leads to a decrease of the axial buckling load especially for SWCNTs with C–C boundary conditions. Also, it is revealed that the value of the temperature change plays different roles in the post-buckling response of SWCNTs at low- and high-temperature environments.     

Nonlocal plate model for nonlinear bending of single-layer graphene sheets subjected to transverse loads in thermal environments

This paper investigates the nonlinear bending behavior of a single-layer rectangular graphene sheet subjected to a transverse uniform load in thermal environments. The single-layer graphene sheet (SLGS) is modeled as a nonlocal orthotropic plate which contains small scale effect. Geometric nonlinearity in the von Kármán sense is adopted. The thermal effects are included and the material properties are assumed to be size dependent and temperature dependent, and are obtained from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The small scale parameter e ₀ a is estimated by matching the deflections of graphene sheets observed from the MD simulation results with the numerical results obtained from the nonlocal plate model. The numerical results show that the temperature change as well as the aspect ratio has a significant effect on the nonlinear bending behavior of SLGSs. The results reveal that the small scale parameter reduces the static large deflections of SLGSs, and the small scale effect also plays an important role in the nonlinear bending of SLGSs.     

Thermomechanical bending and free vibration of single-layered graphene sheets embedded in an elastic medium

In the present paper, the sinusoidal shear deformation plate theory (SDPT) is reformulated using the nonlocal differential constitutive relations of Eringen to analyze the bending and vibration of the nanoplates, such as single-layered graphene sheets, resting on two-parameter elastic foundations. The present SDPT is compared with other plate theories. The nanoplates are assumed to be subjected to mechanical and thermal loads. The equations of motion of the nonlocal model are derived including the plate foundation interaction and thermal effects. The governing equations are solved analytically for various boundary conditions. Nonlocal theory is employed to bring out the effect of the nonlocal parameter on the bending and natural frequencies of the nanoplates. The influences of nonlocal parameter, side-to-thickness ratio and elastic foundation moduli on the displacements and vibration frequencies are investigated.     

Buckling analysis of nanobeams with exponentially varying stiffness by differential quadrature method

We present the application of differential quadrature(DQ) method for the buckling analysis of nanobeams with exponentially varying stiffness based on four different beam theories of Euler-Bernoulli, Timoshenko, Reddy, and Levison.The formulation is based on the nonlocal elasticity theory of Eringen. New results are presented for the guided and simply supported guided boundary conditions. Numerical results are obtained to investigate the effects of the nonlocal parameter,length-to-height ratio, boundary condition, and nonuniform parameter on the critical buckling load parameter. It is observed that the critical buckling load decreases with increase in the nonlocal parameter while the critical buckling load parameter increases with increase in the length-to-height ratio.