Title: Stability analysis of carbon nanotubes using a hybrid atomistic-structural element

Authors: M. Sadeghi, R. Naghdabadi

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, P.O. Box: 14588-89694, Tehran, Iran. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering; and Institute for Nano Science and Technology, Sharif University of Technology, P.O. Box: 14588-89694, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: In this paper, a hybrid atomistic-structural element for studying the mechanical behaviour of carbon nanotubes is introduced. Non-linear formulation for this element is derived based on empirical inter-atomic potentials. This hybrid element is capable of taking into account the non-linear nature of inter-atomic forces as well as the non-linearity arising from large deformations. Using these capabilities, the stability analysis of carbon nanotubes under axial compressive loading is performed and the post-buckling behaviour is predicted. Also, the dependence of axial buckling force on nanotube radius is shown.

Keywords: carbon nanotubes; CNTs; inter-atomic potential; large deformations; stability; post-buckling; hybrid-atomistic-structural elements; stability analysis; nanotechnology; axial buckling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2010.033879

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2010 Vol.5 No.3/4, pp.366 - 375

Published online: 02 Jul 2010 *

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