Exact analytical solution for free vibration of functionally graded micro/nanoplates via three-dimensional nonlocal elasticity

Using three-dimensional (3-D) nonlocal elasticity theory of Eringen, this paper presents closed-form solutions for in-plane and out-of-plane free vibration of simply supported functionally graded (FG) rectangular micro/nanoplates. Elasticity modulus and mass density of FG material are assumed to vary exponentially through the thickness of micro/nanoplate, whereas Poisson's ratio is considered to be constant. By employing appropriate displacement fields for the in-plane and out-of-plane modes that satisfy boundary conditions of the plate, ordinary differential equations of free vibration are obtained. Boundary conditions on the lateral surfaces are imposed on the analytical solutions of the equations to yield the natural frequencies of FG micro/nanoplate. The natural frequencies of FG micro/nanoplate are obtained for different values of nonlocal parameter and gradient index of material properties. The results of this investigation can be used as a benchmark for the future numerical, semi-analytical and analytical studies on the free vibration of FG micro/nanoplates.     

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.     

Nonlocal and surface effects on the buckling behavior of functionally graded nanoplates: An isogeometric analysis

The size-dependent static buckling responses of circular, elliptical and skew nanoplates made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) are investigated in this article based on an isogeometric model. The Eringen nonlocal continuum theory is implemented to capture nonlocal effects. According to the Gurtin–Murdoch surface elasticity theory, surface energy influences are also taken into account by the consideration of two thin surface layers at the top and bottom of nanoplate. The material properties vary in the thickness direction and are evaluated using the Mori–Tanaka homogenization scheme. The governing equations of buckled nanoplate are achieved by the minimum total potential energy principle. To perform the isogeometric analysis as a solution methodology, a novel matrix-vector form of formulation is presented. Numerical examples are given to study the effects of surface stress as well as other important parameters on the critical buckling loads of functionally graded nanoplates. It is found that the buckling configuration of nanoplates at small scales is significantly affected by the surface free energy.     

Free vibration of nonlocal piezoelectric nanoplates under various boundary conditions

This paper investigates the thermo-electro-mechanical vibration of the rectangular piezoelectric nanoplate under various boundary conditions based on the nonlocal theory and the Mindlin plate theory. It is assumed that the piezoelectric nanoplate is subjected to a biaxial force, an external electric voltage and a uniform temperature rise. The Hamilton's principle is employed to derive the governing equations and boundary conditions, which are then discretized by using the differential quadrature (DQ) method to determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes. The detailed parametric study is conducted to examine the effect of the nonlocal parameter, thermo-electro-mechanical loadings, boundary conditions, aspect ratio and side-to-thickness ratio on the vibration behaviors.     

Size dependent surface energy of nanoplates: Molecular dynamics and nanoscale continuum theory correlations

A nanoscale gradient continuum theory along with molecular dynamics simulations are employed to investigate the size-dependent surface energy of nanoplates. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that upon nanoplate thickness reduction, the redistribution of surface energy density along thickness direction causes the decrease of the surface energy of nanoplate free surfaces. Via introducing a calibration benchmark, the length scale model parameter of the gradient continuum theory is methodically determined. The calibrated continuum theory is shown to well predict the size-dependent surface energy and the associated redistribution of surface energy density within nanoplates.     

Size-dependent dispersion characteristics in piezoelectric nanoplates with surface effects

In this paper, surface effects on the dispersion characteristics of elastic waves propagating in an infinite piezoelectric nanoplate are investigated by using the surface piezoelectricity model. Based on the surface piezoelectric constitutive theory, the presence of surface stresses and surface electric displacements exerting on the boundary conditions of the piezoelectric nanoplate is taken into account in the modified mechanical and electric equilibrium relations. The partial wave technique is employed to obtain the general solutions of governing equations, and the dispersion relations with surface effects are expressed in an explicit closed form. The impacts of surface piezoelectricity, residual surface stress and plate thickness on the propagation properties of elastic waves are analyzed in detail. Numerical results show that the dispersion behaviors in piezoelectric nanoplates are size-dependent, and there exists a critical plate thickness above which the surface effects may vanish.     

The nano scale vibration of protein microtubules based on modified strain gradient theory

This paper investigates the free vibration of protein microtubules (MTs) embedded in the cytoplasm by using linear and nonlinear Euler–Bernoulli beam model based on modified strain gradient theory. The protein microtubule is modeled as a simply support or clamped–clamped beam. Beside, the elastic medium surrounding of MTs is modeled with Pasternak foundation. Vibration equations are obtained by using Hamilton principle and these equations are solved according to boundary conditions. Finally the dependency of vibration frequencies on environmental conditions, MTs size, changes of temperature and material length scale parameters (size effects) is studied. By comparing the findings, it could be said that the MTs' frequency is greatly increased in the presence of cytoplasm and it is very dependent to material length scale parameters.     

Comment on “Nonlocal third-order shear deformation plate theory with application to bending and vibration of plates (by R. Aghababaei and J.N. Reddy,Journal of Sound and Vibration 326 (2009) 277–289)”

This paper aims to prove the inaccuracy of the Navier solution presented by Aghababaei and Reddy [1] for the bending analysis of nanoplates based on the nonlocal theory of Eringen. According to the derived relations for bending of the nonlocal plate model, the main cause of this inaccuracy is attributed to an incorrect approximation of the Navier solution for a uniform transverse load. Of course, this problem does not inherently occur for the Navier solution in cases such as free vibration or the buckling of a nonlocal plate model in which the amount of transverse load is zero. In order to obtain further verification the results reported based on the Navier solution by Aghababaei and Reddy (2009, [1]) for the bending analysis of a nanoplate are compared with those computed by the differential quadrature (DQ) and finite difference (FD) methods. As shown, the results obtained by both the FD and DQ methods are consistently alike and unlike the solutions reported by Aghababaei and Reddy (2009, [1]) they are independent from small scale effect.     

Free vibration of three-dimensional anisotropic layered composite nanoplates based on modified couple-stress theory

Based on the modified couple-stress theory, three-dimensional analytical solutions of free vibration of a simply supported, multilayered and anisotropic composite nanoplate are derived by solving an eigenvalue system and using the propagator matrix method. By expanding the solutions of the extended displacements in terms of two-dimensional Fourier series, the final governing equations of motion with modified couple-stress effect are reduced to an eigenvalue system of ordinary differential equations. Analytical expressions for the natural frequencies and mode shapes of multilayered anisotropic composite plates with modified couple-stress effect are then derived via the propagator matrix method. Numerical examples are carried out for homogeneous thick-plates and sandwich composite plates to show the effect of the non-local parameter in different layers and stacking sequence on the mode shapes. The present solutions can serve as benchmarks to various thick-plate theories and numerical methods, and could be further useful for designing layered composite structures involving small scale.     

Small-scale effect on the vibration of thin nanoplates subjected to a moving nanoparticle via nonlocal continuum theory

The vibration of elastic thin nanoplates traversed by a moving nanoparticle involving Coulomb friction is investigated using the nonlocal continuum theory of Eringen. The eigen function technique and the Laplace transform method are employed to solve the governing equations of the nanoplate. The explicit expressions of the in-plane and transverse displacements are obtained when the moving nanoparticle traverses the nanoplate on an arbitrary straight line. In a special case, the obtained results are also compared with those of other researchers and a reasonably good agreement is achieved. The effects of small-scale parameters and velocity of the moving nanoparticle on the dynamic response as well as the dynamic amplitude factors (DAFs) of the in-plane and transverse displacements are then explored in some detail. The results indicate that the magnitude of DAF of the transverse displacement of the nanoplate (i.e., DAF_w) increases with the first small-scale effect parameter, irrespective of the values of the second small-scale effect parameter and the velocity of the moving nanoparticle. As the first small-scale effect parameter grows, the maximum values of DAF_w as a function of the moving nanoparticle velocity increase and generally occur in the lower levels of the moving nanoparticle velocity.     

Wave propagation in embedded inhomogeneous nanoscale plates incorporating thermal effects

In this article, an analytical approach is developed to study the effects of thermal loading on the wave propagation characteristics of an embedded functionally graded (FG) nanoplate based on refined four-variable plate theory. The heat conduction equation is solved to derive the nonlinear temperature distribution across the thickness. Temperature-dependent material properties of nanoplate are graded using Mori–Tanaka model. The nonlocal elasticity theory of Eringen is introduced to consider small-scale effects. The governing equations are derived by the means of Hamilton’s principle. Obtained frequencies are validated with those of previously published works. Effects of different parameters such as temperature distribution, foundation parameters, nonlocal parameter, and gradient index on the wave propagation response of size-dependent FG nanoplates have been investigated.     

Nonlocal continuum-based modeling of a nanoplate subjected to a moving nanoparticle. Part I: Theoretical formulations

The potential applications of nanoplates in energy storage, chemical and biological sensors, solar cells, field emission, and transporting of nanocars have been attracted the attentions of the nanotechnology community to them during recent years. Herein, the later application of nanoplates from nonlocal elastodynamic point of view is of interest. To this end, dynamic response of a nanoplate subjected to a moving nanoparticle is examined within the context of nonlocal continuum theory of Eringen. The fully simply supported nanoplate is modeled based on the nonlocal Kirchhoff, Mindlin, and higher-order plate theories. The non-dimensional equations of motion of the nonlocal plate models are established. The effects of moving nanoparticle's weight and existing friction between the surfaces of the moving nanoparticle and nanoplate on the in-plane and out-of-plane vibrations of the nanoplate are incorporated into the formulations of the proposed models. The eigen function expansion and the Laplace transform methods are employed for discretization of the governing equations in the spatial and the time domains, respectively. The analytical expressions of the dynamic deformation field associated with each nonlocal plate theory are obtained when the moving nanoparticle traverses the nanoplate on an arbitrary straight path (an opened path) as well as an ellipse path (a closed path). The dynamic in-plane forces and moments of each nonlocal plate model are also derived. Furthermore, the critical velocity and the critical angular velocity of the moving nanoparticle for the proposed models are expressed analytically for the aforementioned paths. Part II of this work consists in a comprehensive parametric study where the effects of influential parameters on dynamic response of the proposed nonlocal plate models are scrutinized in some detail.     

Nonlinear free vibrations of curved double walled carbon nanotubes using differential quadrature method

Nonlinear free vibration analysis of curved double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) embedded in an elastic medium is studied in this study. Nonlinearities considered are due to large deflection of carbon nanotubes (geometric nonlinearity) and nonlinear interlayer van der Waals forces between inner and outer tubes. The differential quadrature method (DQM) is utilized to discretize the partial differential equations of motion in spatial domain, which resulted in a nonlinear set of algebraic equations of motion. The effect of nonlinearities, different end conditions, initial curvature, and stiffness of the surrounding elastic medium, and vibrational modes on the nonlinear free vibration of DWCNTs is studied. Results show that it is possible to detect different vibration modes occurring at a single vibration frequency when CNTs vibrate in the out-of-phase vibration mode. Moreover, it is observed that boundary conditions have significant effect on the nonlinear natural frequencies of the DWCNT including multiple solutions.     

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.     

Buckling analysis and smart control of SLGS using elastically coupled PVDF nanoplate based on the nonlocal Mindlin plate theory

This study presents an analytical approach for buckling analysis and smart control of a single layer graphene sheet (SLGS) using a coupled polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanoplate. The SLGS and PVDF nanoplate are considered to be coupled by an enclosing elastic medium which is simulated by the Pasternak foundation. The PVDF nanoplate is subjected to an applied voltage in the thickness direction which operates in control of critical load of the SLGS. In order to satisfy the Maxwell equation, electric potential distribution is assumed as a combination of a half-cosine and linear variation. The exact analysis is performed for the case when all four ends are simply supported and free electrical boundary condition. Adopting the nonlocal Mindlin plate theory, the governing equations are derived based on the energy method and Hamilton's principle. A detailed parametric study is conducted to elucidate the influences of the small scale coefficient, stiffness of the internal elastic medium, graphene length, mode number and external electric voltage on the buckling smart control of the SLGS. The results depict that the imposed external voltage is an effective controlling parameter for buckling of the SLGS. This study might be useful for the design and smart control of nano-devices.     

3D analysis of in-filled trench as passive barriers for ground vibration isolation

The three-dimensional (3D) problem of the ground vibration isolation by an in-filled trench as a passive barrier is studied theoretically. Integral equations governing Rayleigh wave scattering are derived based on the Green’s solution of Lamb problem. The integral equations are solved accurately and efficiently with an iteration technique. They are used to evaluate the complicated Rayleigh wave field generated by irregular scatterers embedded in an elastic half-space solid. The passive isolation effectiveness of ground vibration by the in-filled trench for screening Rayleigh wave is further studied in detail. Effects of relevant parameters on the effectiveness of vibration isolation are investigated and presented. The results show that a trench filled with stiff backfill material gets a better isolation effect than a soft one, and increasing the depth or width of the in-filled trench also improves its screening effectiveness. The effectiveness and the area of the screened zone are surging with the increase in the length of the in-filled trench. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 50678128 and 50538010) and the Research Fund for PhD Student of Chinese College (Grant No. 20050247030)     

Free vibration of rectangular nanoplates using Rayleigh–Ritz method

Vibration analysis of isotropic rectangular nanoplates based on the classical plate theory in conjunction with Eringen's nonlocal elasticity theory is considered. Nanoplates are one of the structural units that are used in nanoscale applications. In this study, Rayleigh–Ritz method with algebraic polynomial displacement function is used to solve the vibration problem of isotropic rectangular nanoplates subjected to different boundary conditions. The advantage of the method is that one can easily handle the specified boundary conditions at the edges. A comparison of the results with those available in the literature has been made. The proposed method is also validated by convergence studies. Frequency parameters are given for different nonlocality parameters, length of nanoplates and boundary conditions. The study highlights that nonlocality effects increase with the increase in mode number and the influence of nonlocal effects becomes increasingly pronounced for higher order vibration modes. Three-dimensional mode shapes for the specified nanoplates have also been presented.     

Nonlinear free vibration of a microscale beam based on modified couple stress theory

This paper presents a nonlinear free vibration analysis of the microbeams based on the modified couple stress Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and von Kármán geometrically nonlinear theory. The governing differential equations are established in variational form from Hamilton principle, with a material length scale parameter to interpret the size effect. These partial differential equations are reduced to corresponding ordinary ones by eliminating the time variable with the Kantorovich method following an assumed harmonic time mode. The resulting equations, which form a nonlinear two-point boundary value problem in spatial variable, are then solved numerically by shooting method, and the size-dependent characteristic relations of nonlinear vibration frequency vs. central amplitude of the microbeams are obtained successfully. The comparisons with available published results show that the current approach and algorithm are of good practicability. A parametric study is conducted involving the dependency of the frequency on the length scale parameter along with Poisson ratio, which shows that the nonlinear vibration frequency predicted by the current model is higher than that by the classical one.     

An immersed boundary energy-based method for incompressible viscoelasticity

Incompressible viscoelastic materials are prevalent in biological applications. In this paper we present a method for incompressible viscoelasticity in which the elasticity of the material is described in Lagrangian form (i.e. in material coordinates), and Eulerian (spatial) coordinates are used for the equations of motion and to enforce the incompressibility condition. The elastic forces are computed directly from an energy functional without the use of stress tensors, and the immersed boundary method is used to communicate between Lagrangian and Eulerian variables. The method is first applied to a warm-up problem, in which a viscoelastic incompressible material fills a two-dimensional periodic domain. For this problem, we study convergence of the velocity field, the deformation map, and the Eulerian force density. The numerical results indicate that the velocity field and deformation map converge strongly at second order and the Eulerian force density converges weakly at second order. Incompressibility is well maintained, as indicated by area conservation in this 2D problem. Finally, the method is applied to a three-dimensional fluid–structure interaction problem with two different materials: an isotropic neo-Hookean model and an anisotropic fiber-reinforced model.     

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.