This paper investigates the buckling behavior of piezoelectric nanowires under distributed transverse loading, within the framework of the Timoshenko beam theory, and in the presence of surface effects. Analytical relations are given for the critical force of axial buckling of nanowires by accounting for the effects of surface elasticity, residual surface tension, and transverse shear deformati...

In this paper, the buckling of carbon nanotubes, modeled as nonlocal one dimensional continua within the framework of Euler–Bernoulli beams, is considered. Both a stress gradient and a strain gradient approach are considered and a variational approach is adopted to obtain the variationally consistent boundary conditions. The dependence of the buckling load on the nonlocal parameter has been det...

The cicada uses a rapid sequence of buckling ribs to initiate and sustain vibrations in its tymbal plate (the primary mechanical resonator in the cicada’s sound production system). The tymbalimba, a music controller based on this same mechanism, has a row of 4 convex aluminum ribs (as on the cicada’s tymbal) arranged much like the keys on a calimba. Each rib is spring loaded and capable of snap...

In this article, the axisymmetric mechanical buckling of thin cylindrical shell made of functionally graded material (FGM) is considered. The governing equations for a thin cylinder based on the first-order shell theory and Timoshenko's assumptions are obtained. The equations are derived using the Sanders simplified kinematic relations and the principle of work and energy. The constituent mater...

We discuss the stability of icosadeltahedral shells subjected to a uniform external load in the form of an isotropic pressure. We demonstrate that there exists a universal critical buckling pressure scaling form that defines a locus of buckling instabilities. The parameter that uniquely determines this scaling form is shown to be the Föppl-von Karman number of nonpressurized shells. Numerical r...

We present a study on swelling-induced circumferential buckling of tubular shaped gels. Inhomogeneous stress develops as the gel swells under mechanical constraints, which gives rise to spontaneous buckling instability without an external force. Full control over the postbuckling pattern is experimentally demonstrated. A simple analytical model is developed using elastic energy to predict stabi...

Although the mechanical behavior of carbon nanotubes has been studied extensively in recent years, very few experimental results exist on the shell buckling of nanotubes, despite its fundamental importance in nanotube mechanics and applications. Here we report an experimental technique in which individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes were axially compressed using a nanoindenter and the critical...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Plants in open, uncrowded habitats typically have relatively short stems with many branches, whereas plants in crowded habitats grow taller and more slender at the expense of mechanical stability. There seems to be a trade-off between height growth and mechanical stability, and this study addresses how stand density influences stem extension and consequently plant safety mar...

As the most rigid cytoskeletal filaments, microtubules bear compressive forces in living cells, balancing the tensile forces within the cytoskeleton to maintain the cell shape. It is often observed that, in living cells, microtubules under compression severely buckle into short wavelengths. By contrast, when compressed, isolated microtubules in vitro buckle into single long-wavelength arcs. The...

This paper presents the elastic buckling of homogeneous beams with a pair of piezoelectric layers surface bonded on both sides of the beams. The displacement field of beam is assumed based on the Engesser-Timoshenko beam theory. Applying the Hamilton's principle, the equilibrium equation is established. The influences of applied voltage, dimensionless geometrical parameter and piezoelectric thi...