Title: Finite element modelling of nano-structured materials

Authors: Mahmoud Abd-Rabou, Mahmopud Nadim Nahas

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80204, Jeddah-21589, Saudi Arabia. ' Faculty of Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80204, Jeddah-21589, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: A finite element model is developed to study the mechanical behaviour of nano-structured materials. The model serves as a link between computational chemistry and solid mechanics by substituting discrete molecular structures with an equivalent-continuum model. As an important example with direct application to the development and characterisation of single-walled carbon nanotubes, the model has been applied to determine the effective stiffness of a graphene sheet. Two different load cases have been studied showing the capabilities of the developed model in predicting the mechanical properties of graphene sheet under varying loading conditions.

Keywords: nanotechnology; graphene sheet stiffness; carbon nanotubes; CNTs; truss element; finite element analysis; FEA; nanomaterials; nanostructures; modelling; mechanical properties.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNBM.2009.027721

International Journal of Nano and Biomaterials, 2009 Vol.2 No.1/2/3/4/5, pp.263 - 272

Published online: 08 Aug 2009 *

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