Influence of homogenization models on size-dependent nonlinear bending and postbuckling of bi-directional functionally graded micro/nano-beams

Abstract

In this work, different homogenization schemes are employed to analyze both size-dependent postbuckling and nonlinear bending behavior of micro/nano-beams, made of a bi-directional functionally graded material (BDFGM), under external axial compression and distributed load. To such different homogenization models, including Reuss, Voigt, Mori-Tanaka, and Hashin–Shtrikman bounds schemes, together with nonlocal strain gradient elasticity theory are adopted within the framework of refined exponential shear deformation beam theory, to develop a comprehensive size-dependent BDFGM beam model. Deviation of associated physical neutral plane, from mid-plane counterpart, is also considered. Nonlocal strain gradient load-deflection responses of BDFGM micro/nano-beam are obtained by numerical solution methodology for both nonlinear bending and postbuckling behaviors corresponding to different values of the lateral and longitudinal material property indices and various small scale parameters. We observed that by decreasing the values of material property gradient indices, associated with BDFGM, difference between the estimations of various homogenization schemes is raised. We also indicated that increasing maximum deflection, decreasing the significance of nonlocal size effect on the bending strength of BDFGM micro/nano-beams, whereas strain gradient size effect becomes more important. In addition, we found that at lower material property gradient indices, bending strength reduction in BDFGM micro/nano-beams, causes by the axial gradient property is higher than lateral gradient property. At higher values of these indices, however, the trend is opposite.