Nonlinear non-classical microscale beams: Static bending, postbuckling and free vibration

This paper initiates the theoretical analysis of nonlinear microbeams and investigates the static bending, postbuckling and free vibration. The nonlinear model is conducted within the context of non-classical continuum mechanics, by introducing a material length scale parameter. The nonlinear equation of motion, in which the nonlinear term is associated with the mean axial extension of the beam, is derived by using a combination of the modified couple stress theory and Hamilton’s principle. Based on this newly developed model, calculations have been performed for microbeams simply supported between two immobile supports. The static deflections of a bending beam subjected to transverse force, the critical buckling loads and buckled configurations of an axially loaded beam, and the nonlinear frequencies of a beam with initial lateral displacement are discussed. It is shown that the size effect is significant when the ratio of characteristic thickness to internal material length scale parameter is approximately equal to one, but is diminishing with the increase of the ratio. Our results also indicate that the nonlinearity has a great effect on the static and dynamic behaviors of microscale beams. To attain accurate and reliable characterization of the static and dynamic properties of microscale beams, therefore, both the microstructure-dependent parameters and the nonlinearities have to be incorporated in the design of microscale beam devices and systems.