Large deformation of uniaxially loaded slender microbeams on the basis of modified couple stress theory: Analytical solution and Galerkin-based method

Large deformation regime of micro-scale slender beam-like structures subjected to axially pointed loads is of high interest to nanotechnologists and applied mechanics community. Herein, size-dependent nonlinear governing equations are derived by employing modified couple stress theory. Under various boundary conditions, analytical relations between axially applied loads and deformations are presented. Additionally, a novel Galerkin-based assumed mode method (AMM) is established to solve the highly nonlinear equations. In some particular cases, the predicted results by the analytical approach are also checked with those of AMM and a reasonably good agreement is reported. Subsequently, the key role of the material length scale on the load-deformation of microbeams is discussed and the deficiencies of the classical elasticity theory in predicting such a crucial mechanical behavior are explained in some detail. The influences of slenderness ratio and thickness of the microbeam on the obtained results are also examined. The present work could be considered as a pivotal step in better realizing the postbuckling behavior of nano-/micro- electro-mechanical systems consist of microbeams.     

Vibration analysis of cracked post-buckled beams

Vibration analysis of cracked post-buckled beam is investigated in this study. Crack, assumed to be open, is modeled by a massless rotational spring. The beam is divided into two segments and the governing nonlinear equations of motion for the post-buckled state are derived. The solution consists of static and dynamic parts, both leading to nonlinear differential equations. The differential quadrature has been used to solve the problem. First, it is applied to the equilibrium equations, leading to a nonlinear algebraic system of equations that will be solved utilizing an arc length strategy. Next, the differential quadrature is applied to the linearized dynamic differential equations of motion and their corresponding boundary and continuity conditions. Upon solution of the resulting eigenvalue problem, the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the cracked beam are extracted. Several experimental as well as numerical case studies are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The investigation also includes an examination of several parameters influencing the dynamic behavior of the problem. The results show that the position and size of the crack as well as the geometric imperfection and applied load largely affect the modal shapes and natural frequencies of the beam.     

Imperfection sensitivity of curved panels under combined compression and shear

The initial buckling load of curved panels under compressive loads is substantially reduced by the existence of imperfections, in particular geometric imperfections. It is therefore essential that these imperfections are considered in analysing components which incorporate such panels in order to accurately predict their buckling behaviour. Finite element analysis allows fully non-linear analysis of shells containing geometric imperfections, however, to obtain accurate results information is required on the exact size and shape of the imperfection to be modelled. In most cases this data is not available. It is therefore generally recommended that the imperfections are modelled on the first eigenmode and have an amplitude selected according to the manufacturing procedure. This paper presents the effects of varying imperfection shape and amplitude on the buckling and postbuckling behaviour of one specific case, a curved panel under combined shear and compression, to test the accuracy of such recommendations.     

Surface wrinkling of mucosa induced by volumetric growth: Theory, simulation and experiment

Mechanics of living tissues focusing on the relationships between growth, morphology and function is not only of theoretical interest but can also be useful for diagnosis of certain diseases. In this paper, we model the surface wrinkling morphology of mucosa, the moist tissue that commonly lines organs and cavities throughout the body, induced by either physiological or pathological volumetric growth. A theoretical framework of finite deformation is adopted to analyze the deformation of a cylindrical cavity covered by mucosal and submucosal layers. It is shown that compressive residual stresses induced by the confined growth of mucosa can destabilize the tissue into various surface wrinkling patterns. A linear stability analysis of the critical condition and characteristic buckling patterns indicates that the wrinkling mode is sensitive to the thicknesses of the mucosal and submucosal layers, as well as the properties of the tissues. The thinner the mucosal layer and the lower its elastic modulus, the shorter the buckling wavelength. A series of finite element simulations are performed to validate the theoretical predictions and to study local wrinkling or non-uniform patterns associated with inhomogeneous growth. Our postbuckling analysis shows that the surface pattern may evolve towards a period-doubling morphology due to continuous growth of mucosa or submucosa beyond the critical state. Finally, the theoretical predictions and numerical simulations are compared to experimental observations.     

Validation of the Rayleigh–Ritz method for the postbuckling analysis of rectangular plates with application to delamination growth

Postbuckling solutions of laminated rectangular plates are obtained by the Rayleigh–Ritz method using von Karman’s nonlinear strain displacement relations and high-order polynomial expansions of the displacements. The potential energy function and the nonlinear algebraic equations governing the undetermined coefficients are obtained by Mathematica. Reasonably accurate solutions for the membrane forces, the bending and twisting moments and the pointwise energy-release rates generally require more undeterminated coefficients. Such refined postbuckling solutions show significant non-uniformity of the in-plane forces and strains and certain boundary effects characterized by concentration of the curvatures and the bending moment.     

Buckling and postbuckling of segmented tubes under external pressure

The collapse by external pressure of a tube consisting of linked rigid segments with rotational resistance at the joints is studied. Nonlinear difference equations are formulated and solved. The buckling pressure increases with the number of segments and tends to that of a continuous ring. Postbuckling shapes depend heavily on the number of segments. The six-sided tube shows properties of catastrophe, hysteresis, and imperfection sensitivity.     

Non-linear in-plane postbuckling of arches with rotational end restraints under uniform radial loading

This paper presents a thorough and comprehensive investigation of non-linear buckling and postbuckling analyses of pin-ended shallow circular arches subjected to a uniform radial load and which have equal elastic rotational end-restraints. The differential equations of equilibrium for non-linear buckling and postbuckling are established based on a virtual work approach. Exact solutions for the non-linear bifurcation, limit point and lowest buckling loads are obtained; in particular, exact solutions for the non-linear postbuckling equilibrium paths are derived. The criteria for switching between fundamental buckling and postbuckling modes are developed in terms of critical values of a geometric parameter for an arch, with exact solutions for these critical values of geometric parameter being obtained. Analytical solutions of non-linear buckling and postbuckling problems for arches with rotational end-restraints are of great interest, since they constitute one of the very few closed-form analyses of buckling and postbuckling behaviour of continuous structural systems. These exact solutions are a contribution to the non-linear structural mechanics of arches, as well as providing useful benchmark solutions for verifying non-linear numerical analyses.     

Nonlinear buckling and postbuckling of heated functionally graded cylindrical shells under combined axial compression and radial pressure

The nonlinear large deflection theory of cylindrical shells is extended to discuss nonlinear buckling and postbuckling behaviors of functionally graded (FG) cylindrical shells which are synchronously subjected to axial compression and lateral loads. In this analysis, the non-linear strain-displacement relations of large deformation and the Ritz energy method are used. The material properties of the shells vary smoothly through the shell thickness according to a power law distribution of the volume fraction of the constituent materials. Meanwhile, by taking the temperature-dependent material properties into account, various effects of external thermal environment are also investigated. The non-linear critical condition is found by defining the possible lowest point of external force. Numerical results show various effects of the inhomogeneous parameter, dimensional parameters and external thermal environments on non-linear buckling behaviors of combine-loaded FG cylindrical shells. In addition, the postbuckling equilibrium paths are also plotted for axially loaded pre-pressured FG cylindrical shells and there is an interesting mode jump exhibited.     

Non-linear stability analysis of imperfect thin-walled composite beams

The static non-linear behavior of thin-walled composite beams is analyzed considering the effect of initial imperfections. A simple approach is used for determining the influence of imperfection on the buckling, prebuckling and postbuckling behavior of thin-walled composite beams. The fundamental and secondary equilibrium paths of perfect and imperfect systems corresponding to a major imperfection are analyzed for the case where the perfect system has a stable symmetric bifurcation point. A geometrically non-linear theory is formulated in the context of large displacements and rotations, through the adoption of a shear deformable displacement field. An initial displacement, either in vertical or horizontal plane, is considered in presence of initial geometric imperfection. Ritz's method is applied in order to discretize the non-linear differential system and the resultant algebraic equations are solved by means of an incremental Newton-Rapshon method. The numerical results are presented for a simply supported beam subjected to axial or lateral load. It is shown in the examples that a major imperfection reduces the load-carrying capacity of thin-walled beams. The influence of this effect is analyzed for different fiber orientation angle of a symmetric balanced lamination. In addition, the postbuckling response obtained with the present beam model is compared with the results obtained with a shell finite element model (Abaqus).     

Non-linear buckling and postbuckling behavior of thin-walled beams considering shear deformation

The static stability of thin-walled composite beams, considering shear deformation and geometrical non-linear coupling, subjected to transverse external force has been investigated in this paper. The theory is formulated in the context of large displacements and rotations, through the adoption of a shear deformable displacement field (accounting for bending and warping shear) considering moderate bending rotations and large twist. This non-linear formulation is used for analyzing the prebuckling and postbuckling behavior of simply supported, cantilever and fixed-end beams subjected to different load condition. Ritz's method is applied in order to discretize the non-linear differential system and the resultant algebraic equations are solved by means of an incremental Newton-Rapshon method. The numerical results show that the beam loses its stability through a stable symmetric bifurcation point and the postbuckling strength is in relation with the buckling load value. Classical predictions of lateral buckling are conservative when the prebuckling displacements are not negligible and the non-linear buckling analysis is required for reliable solutions. The analysis is supplemented by investigating the effects of the variation of load height parameter. In addition, the critical load values and postbuckling response obtained with the present beam model are compared with the results obtained with a shell finite element model (Abaqus).