Analyzing nonlinear mechanical-thermal buckling of imperfect micro-scale beam made of graded graphene reinforced composites

Abstract

This research is devoted to analyzing mechanical-thermal post-buckling behavior of a micro-size beam reinforced with graphene platelets (GPLs) based on geometric imperfection effects. Graphene platelets have three types of dispersion within the structure including uniform-type, linear-type and nonlinear-type. The micro-size beam is considered to be perfect (ideal) or imperfect. Buckling mode shape of the micro-size beam has been assumed as geometric imperfection. Modified couple stress theory has been used for describing scale-dependent character of the beam having micro dimension. Via an analytical procedure, post-buckling path of the micro-size beam has been derived. It will be demonstrated that nonlinear buckling characteristics of the micro-size beam are dependent on geometric imperfection amplitude, thermal loading, graphene distribution and couple stress effects.