A geometrically nonlinear finite element model of nanomaterials with consideration of surface effects

In conventional continuum mechanics, the surface energy is usually small and negligible. But at nano-length scale, it becomes a significant part of the total elastic energy due to the high specific surface area of nanomaterials. A geometrically nonlinear finite element (FE) model of nanomaterials with considering surface effects is developed in this paper. The aim is to extend the conventional finite element method (FEM) to analyze the size-dependent mechanical properties of nanomaterials. A numerical example, analysis of InAs quantum dot (QD) on GaAs (0 0 1) substrate, is given in this paper to verify the validity of the method and demonstrate surface effects on the stress fields of QDs.