Buckling analysis of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite microbeams

In this thesis, buckling behavior of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (CNTRC) microbeams with size effect is investigated. The material properties of CNTRC beams are formulated using the rule of mixture. The governing differential equations are derived based on modified strain gradient theory and various shear deformable beam theories with the help of minimum total potential energy principle. Navier solution method is used for the solution of simply supported CNTRC microbeams. The mathematical models provided in this study have been numerically verified by comparing them with some available results in the literature. The effects of length scale parameter, span/depth ratio, volume fraction of CNT, shear deformation, and patterns of reinforcement on the critical buckling loads are investigated.