Buckling analysis of micro-/nano-scale plates based on two-variable refined plate theory incorporating nonlocal scale effects

This article presents the buckling analysis of isotropic nanoplates using the two variable refined plate theory and nonlocal small scale effects. The two variable refined plate theory takes account of transverse shear effects and parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains through the thickness of the plate, hence it is unnecessary to use shear correction factors. Nonlocal governing equations of motion for the nanoplate are derived from the principle of virtual displacements. The closed-form solution for buckling load of a simply supported rectangular nanoplate subjected to in-plane loading has been obtained by using the Navier’s method. Numerical results obtained by the present theory are compared with available exact solutions in the literature. The effect of nonlocal scaling parameter, mode numbers and aspect ratios of the nanoplates on buckling load are investigated and discussed in detail in the present work. It can be concluded that the present theory, which does not require shear correction factor, is not only simple but also comparable to the first-order and higher order shear deformable theory.

► Nonlocal two variable refined plate theory is developed for nanoplates to study buckling analysis.
► Navier’s method is adopted for solving the governing equations.
► The closed-form solution for buckling load of a simply supported rectangular nanoplate is obtained.
► Effects of nonlocality, mode number and aspect ratio on buckling load are investigated.
► It can be concluded that the present theory does not require shear correction factor.