Buckling analysis of carbon nanotube bundles via a structural mechanics model

A structural mechanics model is employed for the investigation of the buckling behavior of CNT bundles of three SWCNTs in the CAE space of ABAQUS. To evaluate the buckling loads of carbon nanotube bundles, the effects of van-der Waals forces are further modeled using a nonlinear spring element. The effects of different types of boundary conditions (Fixed–Fixed, Simple–Simple and Fixed-Free) are studied for armchair nanotubes with various aspect ratios (length/diameter). The structural mechanics simulations reveal that CNT bundles comprising longer SWCNTs will exhibit lower critical buckling load. Results indicate that for Fixed- Free boundary condition the rate of critical buckling load’s reduction is highest and lowest critical buckling load occurs. In addition, the average buckling load of each SWCNT was computed and compared with buckling loads for individual SWCNTs.

Keywords:

Structural mechanics , Carbon nanotube bundles , Buckling , Boundary conditions