Wave propagation analysis of rotating thermoelastically-actuated nanobeams based on nonlocal strain gradient theory

This paper is concerned with the wave propagation behavior of rotating functionally graded (FG) temperature-dependent nanoscale beams subjected to thermal loading based on nonlocal strain gradient stress field. Uniform, linear and nonlinear temperature distributions across the thickness are investigated. Thermo-elastic properties of FG beam change gradually according to the Mori-Tanaka distribution model in the spatial coordinate. The nanobeam is modeled via a higher-order shear deformable refined beam theory which has a trigonometric shear stress function. The governing equations are derived by Hamilton's principle as a function of axial force due to centrifugal stiffening and displacement. The solution of these equations is provided employing a Galerkin-based approach which has the potential to capture various boundary conditions. By applying an analytical solution and solving an eigenvalue problem, the dispersion relations of rotating FG nanobeam are obtained. Numerical results illustrate that various parameters including temperature change, angular velocity, nonlocality parameter, wave number and gradient index have significant effects on the wave dispersion characteristics of the nanobeam under study. The outcome of this study can provide beneficial information for the next-generation research and the exact design of nano-machines including nanoscale molecular bearings, nanogears, etc.