A new Kirchhoff plate model based on a modified couple stress theory

AbstractIn this paper a new Kirchhoff plate model is developed for the static analysis of isotropic micro-plates with arbitrary shape based on a modified couple stress theory containing only one material length scale parameter which can capture the size effect. The proposed model is capable of handling plates with complex geometries and boundary conditions. From a detailed variational procedure the governing equilibrium equation of the micro-plate and the most general boundary conditions are derived, in terms of the deflection, using the principle of minimum potential energy. The resulting boundary value problem is of the fourth order (instead of existing gradient theories which is of the sixth order) and it is solved using the Method of Fundamental Solutions (MFS) which is a boundary-type meshless method. Several plates of various shapes, aspect and Poisson’s ratios are analyzed to illustrate the applicability of the developed micro-plate model and to reveal the differences between the current model and the classical plate model. Moreover, useful conclusions are drawn from the micron-scale response of this new Kirchhoff plate model

A new microstructure-dependent Saint-Venant torsion model based on a modified couple stress theory

International audienceIn this paper a new modified couple stress model is developed for the Saint-Venant torsion problem of micro-bars of arbitrary cross section. The proposed model is derived from a modified couple stress theory and has only one material length scale parameter. Using a variational procedure the governing differential equation and the associated boundary conditions are derived in terms of the warping function. This is a fourth order partial differential equation representing the analog of a Kirchhoff plate having the shape of the cross section and subjected to a uniform tensile membrane force with mixed Neumann boundary conditions. Since the fundamental solution of the equation is known, the problem could be solved using the direct Boundary Element Method (BEM). In this investigation, however, the Analog Equation Method (AEM) solution is applied and the results are cross checked using the Method of Fundamental Solutions (MFS). Several micro-bars of various cross-sections are analyzed to illustrate the applicability of the developed model and to reveal the differences between the current model and an existing one which, however, contains two additional constants related to the microstructure. Moreover, useful conclusions are drawn from the micron-scale torsional response of micro-bars, giving thus a better insight in the gradient elasticity approach of the deformable bodies