Buckling analysis of variable thickness nanoplates using nonlocal continuum mechanics

This paper presents an investigation on the buckling characteristics of nanoscale rectangular plates under bi-axial compression considering non-uniformity in the thickness. Based on the nonlocal continuum mechanics, governing differential equations are derived. Numerical solutions for the buckling loads are obtained using the Galerkin method. The present study shows that the buckling behaviors of single-layered graphene sheets (SLGSs) are strongly sensitive to the nonlocal and non-uniform parameters. The influence of percentage change of thickness on the stability of SLGSs is more significant in the strip-type nonoplates (nanoribbons) than in the square-type nanoplates.

► Stability analysis of variable thickness nanoplates.
► Small scale effects are taken into consideration based on nonlocal elasticity theory.
► Numerical solution is obtained using the Galerkin method.
► Buckling loads are intensely sensitive to non-uniform and nonlocal parameters.