Numerical stability analysis of imperfect single-walled carbon nanotubes under axial compressive loads
International Journal of Structural Integrity
ISSN: 1757-9864
Article publication date: 10 August 2015
Abstract
Purpose
A computational structural mechanics approach, based on the exclusive use of standard bar elements is utilized in order to investigate the elastic stability of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with atom vacancy defects under axial compressive loads. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed model uses three dimensional, two nodded, linear truss finite elements of three degrees of freedom per node to represent the force field appearing between carbon atoms due to the basic interatomic interactions.
Findings
Numerical results concerning the critical forces which cause instability of pristine nanotubes are compared with corresponding data given in the open literature in the effort to demonstrate the good accuracy of the method. Then, it is assumed that SWCNTs present-specific structural defects defined by their length, width, orientation and longitudinal position. The influence of these four geometric parameters of the imperfections considered on the stability of SWCNTs is investigated in detail and essential conclusions are revealed.
Originality/value
To the authors’ best knowledge, is the first time that the specific method is introduced for the prediction of buckling behavior of defective SWCNTs. The structural defect here is considered as atoms vacancy that forms a like-crack defect having a specific length, width, orientation and position along the nanotube length.
Keywords
Citation
Georgantzinos, S.K., Giannopoulos, G.I., Pierou, P.K. and Anifantis, N.K. (2015), "Numerical stability analysis of imperfect single-walled carbon nanotubes under axial compressive loads", International Journal of Structural Integrity, Vol. 6 No. 4, pp. 423-438. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSI-10-2014-0056
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited