Bending and stability analysis of gradient elastic beams

The problems of bending and stability of Bernoulli–Euler beams are solved analytically on the basis of a simple linear theory of gradient elasticity with surface energy. The governing equations of equilibrium are obtained by both a combination of the basic equations and a variational statement. The additional boundary conditions are obtained by both variational and weighted residual approaches. Two boundary value problems (one for bending and one for stability) are solved and the gradient elasticity effect on the beam bending response and its critical (buckling) load is assessed for both cases. It is found that beam deflections decrease and buckling load increases for increasing values of the gradient coefficient, while the surface energy effect is small and insignificant for bending and buckling, respectively.     

A Hamiltonian State Space Approach for 3D Analysis of Circular Cantilevers

A 3D exact analysis of extension, torsion and bending of a cantilever of a circular cross section is studied with emphasis on the fixed-end effect. Through Hamiltonian variational formulation, the basic equations of elasticity in cylindrical coordinates and the boundary conditions of the problem are formulated into the state space setting in which the state vector comprises the displacement vector and the conjugate stress vector as the dual variables. Upon delineating the Hamiltonian characteristics of the system, 3D solutions for transversely isotropic circular cantilevers subjected to an axial force, a torque, terminal couples and transverse forces are determined, thereby, the fixed-end effects and applicability of the solutions of generalized plane strains and the elementary theory of bending of beams are evaluated.     

Two-dimensional elasticity solution for bending of functionally graded beams with variable thickness

This paper studies the stress and displacement distributions of functionally graded beam with continuously varying thickness, which is simply supported at two ends. The Young’s modulus is graded through the thickness following the exponential-law and the Poisson’s ratio keeps constant. On the basis of two-dimensional elasticity theory, the general expressions for the displacements and stresses of the beam under static loads, which exactly satisfy the governing differential equations and the simply supported boundary conditions at two ends, are analytically derived out. The unknown coefficients in the solutions are approximately determined by using the Fourier sinusoidal series expansions to the boundary conditions on the upper and lower surfaces of the beams. The effect of Young’s modulus varying rules on the displacements and stresses of functionally graded beams is investigated in detail. The two-dimensional elasticity solution obtained can be used to assess the validity of various approximate solutions and numerical methods for the aforementioned functionally graded beams.     

Elasticity solutions for plane anisotropic functionally graded beams

This paper considers the plane stress problem of generally anisotropic beams with elastic compliance parameters being arbitrary functions of the thickness coordinate. Firstly, the partial differential equation, which is satisfied by the Airy stress function for the plane problem of anisotropic functionally graded materials and involves the effect of body force, is derived. Secondly, a unified method is developed to obtain the stress function. The analytical expressions of axial force, bending moment, shear force and displacements are then deduced through integration. Thirdly, the stress function is employed to solve problems of anisotropic functionally graded plane beams, with the integral constants completely determined from boundary conditions. A series of elasticity solutions are thus obtained, including the solution for beams under tension and pure bending, the solution for cantilever beams subjected to shear force applied at the free end, the solution for cantilever beams or simply supported beams subjected to uniform load, the solution for fixed–fixed beams subjected to uniform load, and the one for beams subjected to body force, etc. These solutions can be easily degenerated into the elasticity solutions for homogeneous beams. Some of them are absolutely new to literature, and some coincide with the available solutions. It is also found that there are certain errors in several available solutions. A numerical example is finally presented to show the effect of material inhomogeneity on the elastic field in a functionally graded anisotropic cantilever beam.     

Theoretical analysis on elastic buckling of nanobeams based on stress-driven nonlocal integral model

Several studies indicate that Eringen's nonlocal model may lead to some inconsistencies for both Euler-Bernoulli and Timoshenko beams, such as cantilever beams subjected to an end point force and fixed-fixed beams subjected a uniform distributed load. In this paper, the elastic buckling behavior of nanobeams, including both EulerBernoulli and Timoshenko beams, is investigated on the basis of a stress-driven nonlocal integral model. The constitutive equations are the Fredholm-type integral equations of the first kind, which can be transformed to the Volterra integral equations of the first kind. With the application of the Laplace transformation, the general solutions of the deflections and bending moments for the Euler-Bernoulli and Timoshenko beams as well as the rotation and shear force for the Timoshenko beams are obtained explicitly with several unknown constants. Considering the boundary conditions and extra constitutive constraints, the characteristic equations are obtained explicitly for the Euler-Bernoulli and Timoshenko beams under different boundary conditions, from which one can determine the critical buckling loads of nanobeams. The effects of the nonlocal parameters and buckling order on the buckling loads of nanobeams are studied numerically, and a consistent toughening effect is obtained.     

A shearable and thickness stretchable finite strain beam model for soft structures

Soft materials and structures have recently attracted lots of research interests as they provide paramount potential applications in diverse fields including soft robotics, wearable devices, stretchable electronics and biomedical engineering. In a previous work, an Euler–Bernoulli finite strain beam model with thickness stretching effect was proposed for soft thin structures subject to stiff constraint in the width direction. By extending that model to account for the transverse shear effect, a Timoshenko-type finite strain beam model within the plane-strain context is developed in the present work. With some kinematic hypotheses, the finite deformation of the beam is analyzed, constitutive equations are deduced from the theory of finite elasticity, and by employing the standard variational method, the equilibrium equations and associated boundary conditions are derived. In the limit of infinitesimal strain, the new model degenerates to the classical extensible and shearable elastica model. The corresponding incremental equilibrium equations and associated boundary conditions are also obtained. Based on the new beam model, analytical solutions are given for simple deformation modes, including uniaxial tension, simple shear, pure bending, and buckling under an axial load. Furthermore, numerical solution procedures and results are presented for cantilevered beams and simply supported beams with immovable ends. The results are also compared with the previously developed finite strain Euler–Bernoulli beam model to demonstrate the significance of transverse shear effect for soft beams with a small length-to-thickness ratio. The developed beam model will contribute to the design and analysis of soft robots and soft devices.     

On the limitations of linear beams for the problems of moving mass-beam interaction using a meshfree method

This paper deals with the capabilities of linear and nonlinear beam theories in predicting the dynamic response of an elastically supported thin beam traversed by a moving mass. To this end, the discrete equations of motion are developed based on Lagrange’s equations via reproducing kernel particle method (RKPM). For a particular case of a simply supported beam, Galerkin method is also employed to verify the results obtained by RKPM, and a reasonably good agreement is achieved. Variations of the maximum dynamic deflection and bending moment associated with the linear and nonlinear beam theories are investigated in terms of moving mass weight and velocity for various beam boundary conditions. It is demonstrated that for majority of the moving mass velocities, the differences between the results of linear and nonlinear analyses become remarkable as the moving mass weight increases, particularly for high levels of moving mass velocity. Except for the cantilever beam, the nonlinear beam theory predicts higher possibility of moving mass separation from the base beam compared to the linear one. Furthermore, the accuracy levels of the linear beam theory are determined for thin beams under large deflections and small rotations as a function of moving mass weight and velocity in various boundary conditions.     

Generalized variational principle on nonlinear theory of naturally curved and twisted closed thin-walled composite beams

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Modified equations of finite-size layered plates made of orthotropic material. Comparison of the results of numerical calculations with analytical solutions

This paper describes the modified bending equations of layered orthotropic plates in the first approximation. The approximation of the solution of the equation of the three-dimensional theory of elasticity by the Legendre polynomial segments is used to obtain differential equations of the elastic layer. For the approximation of equilibrium equations and boundary conditions of three-dimensional theory of elasticity, several approximations of each desired function (stresses and displacements) are used. The stresses at the internal points of the plate are determined from the defining equations for the orthotropic material, averaged with respect to the plate thickness. The construction of the bending equations of layered plates for each layer is carried out with the help of the elastic layer equations and the conjugation conditions on the boundaries between layers, which are conditions for the continuity of normal stresses and displacements. The numerical solution of the problem of bending of the rectangular layered plate obtained with the help of modified equations is compared with an analytical solution. It is determined that the maximum error in determining the stresses does not exceed 3 %.     

Bending of small-scale Timoshenko beams based on the integral/differential nonlocal-micropolar elasticity theory: a finite element approach

A novel size-dependent model is developed herein to study the bending behavior of beam-type micro/nano-structures considering combined effects of nonlocality and micro-rotational degrees of freedom. To accomplish this aim, the micropolar theory is combined with the nonlocal elasticity. To consider the nonlocality, both integral(original)and differential formulations of Eringen's nonlocal theory are considered. The beams are considered to be Timoshenko-type, and the governing equations are derived in the variational form through Hamilton's principle. The relations are written in an appropriate matrix-vector representation that can be readily utilized in numerical approaches. A finite element(FE) approach is also proposed for the solution procedure. Parametric studies are conducted to show the simultaneous nonlocal and micropolar effects on the bending response of small-scale beams under different boundary conditions.     

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 new five-unknown refined theory based on neutral surface position for bending analysis of exponential graded plates

In the present paper, a new sinusoidal higher-order plate theory is developed for bending of exponential graded plates. The effects due to transverse shear and normal deformations are both included. The number of unknown functions involved in the present theory is only five as against six or more in case of other shear and normal deformation theories. The theory accounts for sinusoidal distribution of the transverse shear strains, and satisfies the zero traction boundary conditions on the surfaces of the plate without using shear correction factor. Based on the sinusoidal shear and normal deformation theory, the position of neutral surface is determined and the governing equilibrium equations based on neutral surface are derived. There is no stretching–bending coupling effect in the neutral surface-based formulation, and consequently, the governing equations of functionally graded plates based on neutral surface have the simple forms as those of isotropic plates. Numerical results of present theory are compared with three-dimensional elasticity solutions and other higher-order theories reported in the literature. It can be concluded that the proposed theory is accurate and efficient in predicting the bending response of exponential graded plates.     

A new simple third-order shear deformation theory of plates

An improved simple third-order shear deformation theory for the analysis of shear flexible plates is presented in this paper. This new plate theory is composed of three parts: the simple third-order kinematics of displacements reduced from the higher-order displacement field derived previously by the author; a system of 10th-order differential equilibrium equations in terms of the three generalized displacements of bending plates; five boundary conditions at each edge of plate boundaries. Although the resulting displacement field is the same as that proposed by Murthy, the variational consistent governing equations and the associated proper boundary conditions are derived and identified in this work for the first time in the literature. The applications and accuracy of the present shear deformation theory of plates are demonstrated by analytically solving the differential governing equations of a twisting plate, a bending beam and two bending plates to which the 3-D elasticity solutions are available, and excellent agreements are achieved even for the torsion of a plate with square cross-section as well the local effects of stresses at plate boundaries can be characterized accurately. These analytical solutions clearly show that the simple third-order shear deformation theory developed in this work indeed gives better results than the first-order shear deformation theories and other simple higher-order shear deformation theories, since the present third-order shear flexible theory is based on a more rigorous kinematics of displacements and consists of not only a system of variational consistent differential equations, but also a group of consistent boundary conditions associated with the differential equations. The present simple third-order shear deformation theory can easily be applied to the static and dynamic finite element analysis of laminated plates just like the applications of other popular shear flexible plate theories, and improved results could be obtained from the present simple third-order shear deformable theories of plates.     

On the truth of nanoscale for nanobeams based on nonlocal elastic stress field theory： equilibrium, governing equation and static deflection

This paper has successfully addressed three critical but overlooked issues in nonlocal elastic stress field theory for nanobeams： （i） why does the presence of increasing nonlocal effects induce reduced nanostructural stiffness in many, but not consistently for all, cases of study, i.e., increasing static deflection, decreasing natural frequency and decreasing buckling load, although physical intuition according to the nonlocal elasticity field theory first established by Eringen tells otherwise？ （ii） the intriguing conclusion that nanoscale effects are missing in the solutions in many exemplary cases of study, e.g., bending deflection of a cantilever nanobeam with a point load at its tip; and （iii） the non-existence of additional higher-order boundary conditions for a higher-order governing differential equation. Applying the nonlocal elasticity field theory in nanomechanics and an exact variational principal approach, we derive the new equilibrium conditions, do- main governing differential equation and boundary conditions for bending of nanobeams. These equations and conditions involve essential higher-order differential terms which are opposite in sign with respect to the previously studies in the statics and dynamics of nonlocal nano-structures. The difference in higher-order terms results in reverse trends of nanoscale effects with respect to the conclusion of this paper. Effectively, this paper reports new equilibrium conditions, governing differential equation and boundary condi- tions and the true basic static responses for bending of nanobeams. It is also concluded that the widely accepted equilibrium conditions of nonlocal nanostructures are in fact not in equilibrium, but they can be made perfect should the nonlocal bending moment be replaced by an effective nonlocal bending moment. These conclusions are substantiated, in a general sense, by other approaches in nanostructural models such as strain gradient theory, modified couple stress models and experiments.     

Bending and free vibrational analysis of bi-directional functionally graded beams with circular cross-section

The bending and free vibrational behaviors of functionally graded (FG) cylindrical beams with radially and axially varying material inhomogeneities are investigated. Based on a high-order cylindrical beam model, where the shear deformation and rotary inertia are both considered, the two coupled governing differential motion equations for the deflection and rotation are established. The analytical bending solutions for various boundary conditions are derived. In the vibrational analysis of FG cylindrical beams, the two governing equations are firstly changed to a single equation by means of an auxiliary function, and then the vibration mode is expanded into shifted Chebyshev polynomials. Numerical examples are given to investigate the effects of the material gradient indices on the deflections, the stress distributions, and the eigenfrequencies of the cylindrical beams, respectively. By comparing the obtained numerical results with those obtained by the three-dimensional (3D) elasticity theory and the Timoshenko beam theory, the effectiveness of the present approach is verified.     

A higher-order theory for static and dynamic analyses of functionally graded beams

The higher-order theory is extended to functionally graded beams (FGBs) with continuously varying material properties. For FGBs with shear deformation taken into account, a single governing equation for an auxiliary function F is derived from the basic equations of elasticity. It can be used to deal with forced and free vibrations as well as static behaviors of FGBs. A general solution is constructed, and all physical quantities including transverse deflection, longitudinal warping, bending moment, shear force, and internal stresses can be represented in terms of the derivatives of F. The static solution can be determined for different end conditions. Explicit expressions for cantilever, simply supported, and clamped-clamped FGBs for typical loading cases are given. A comparison of the present static solution with existing elasticity solutions indicates that the method is simple and efficient. Moreover, the gradient variation of Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio may be arbitrary functions of the thickness direction. Functionally graded Rayleigh and Euler–Bernoulli beams are two special cases when the shear modulus is sufficiently high. Moreover, the classical Levinson beam theory is recovered from the present theory when the material constants are unchanged. Numerical computations are performed for a functionally graded cantilever beam with a gradient index obeying power law and the results are displayed graphically to show the effects of the gradient index on the deflection and stress distribution, indicating that both stresses and deflection are sensitive to the gradient variation of material properties.     

Theory and refined theory of elasticity for transversely isotropic plates and a new theory for tnick plates

A theory of elasticity for the bending of transversely isotropic plates has been developed from the basic equations of elasticity in terms of displacements for transversely isotropic bodies, which takes into account the loads distributed over the surfaces of the plates. Based on this theory, a refined theory of plates which can satisfy three boundary conditions along each edge of the plates and a new theory of thick plates are established. The solution of the refined theory for simply supported polygonal plates has been obtained; and its numerical result is very close to the exact solution of the three-dimensional theory of elasticity. A systematic comparison with the former theories of thick plates shows that the present theory of thick plates is closest to the result of the theory of elasticity.     

饱和多孔弹性Timoshenko悬臂梁的拟静力弯曲

在经典单相Timoshenko梁变形和孔隙流体仅沿多孔梁轴向运动的假定下,基于不可压饱和多孔介质的三维理论,本文首先建立了横观各向同性饱和多孔弹性Timoshenko悬臂梁拟静力弯曲的一维数学模型,并给出了相应的边界条件。其次,利用Laplace变换及其数值逆变换,分析了端部不同渗透条件下,饱和多孔弹性Timoshenko悬臂梁在端部梯载荷作用下的拟静力响应,给出了饱和多孔Timoshenko悬臂梁弯曲时挠度、弯矩以及孔隙流体压力等效力偶等随时间的响应曲线,并与饱和多孔Euler-Bernoulli悬臂梁的响应进行了比较,考察了梁长细比对弯曲的影响。数值结果表明：固相骨架与孔隙流体的相互作用具有粘性效应,梁弯曲的拟静态挠度具有蠕变行为,端部渗透条件对梁的弯曲响应有显著的影响,并且,饱和多孔弹性Timoshenko悬臂梁的拟静态响应亦存在Mandel-Cryer现象。     

Bending and buckling of thin strain gradient elastic beams

Bending of strain gradient elastic thin beams is studied adopting Bernoulli-Euler principle. Simple linear strain gradient elastic theory with surface energy is employed. The governing beam equations with its boundary conditions are derived through a variational method. It turns out that new terms are introduced, indicating the importance of the cross-section area in bending of thin beams. Those terms are missing from the existing strain gradient beam theories. Those terms increase highly the stiffness of the thin beam. The buckling problem of the thin beams is also discussed.     

Analytical solutions for single- and multi-span functionally graded plates in cylindrical bending

A recently developed plate theory using the concept of shape function of the transverse coordinate parameter is extended to determine the stress distribution in an orthotropic functionally graded plate subjected to cylindrical bending. The transfer matrix method is presented to derive the shape function. The equations governing the plate deformation are then solved analytically using the transfer matrix method for arbitrary boundary conditions. For a simply supported functionally graded plate, a comparison of the present solution with the exact elasticity solution, the first- and third-order shear deformation plate theories is presented and discussed. It is demonstrated that the present method yields more accurate stresses than the first- and third-order shear deformation theories. The effect of boundary conditions and inhomogeneity of material on the displacements and stresses in functionally graded plates are investigated. A multi-span functionally graded plate with arbitrary boundary conditions is further considered to demonstrate the efficiency of the present method.