The thermal effect on buckling analysis of a DWCNT embedded on the Pasternak foundation

In this article, the thermal effect on the buckling analysis of a double-walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT) embedded in an elastic medium subjected to a uniform external pressure is investigated. Based on the nonlocal continuum cylindrical shell theory, the following effects are studied: small scale effect, van der Waals (vdW) forces between inner and outer tubes, surrounding elastic medium, and influence of temperature change in high-temperature environment. The interaction between matrix and the outer tube is modeled as a Pasternak foundation. The obtained results of numerical simulation indicate that for any specific circumferential wave number (n), the nonlocal critical buckling pressure (pcrit) is related directly to the axial half wave number (m). Furthermore, the effect of temperature change on the critical buckling pressure is negligible, especially for stiff elastic medium; however, this is not the case if the elastic medium is soft. The strength of the DWCNT is directly related to the Winkler and shear moduli; hence, increase in the latter leads to enhanced pcrit.

► Nonlocal elasticity cylindrical shell theory is used.
► The thermal effect on the buckling analysis of a DWCNT subjected to a uniform external pressure is studied.
► The effects of vdW forces, elastic medium, and temperature change in high-temperature environment are studied.
► The interaction between matrix and the outer tube is modeled as a Pasternak foundation.
► The strength of a DWCNT is directly related to the Winkler and shear moduli.