On nonlinear electromechanics of piezoelectric nanobeams

Electromechanics of slender piezoelectric nanobeams is addressed by an effective nonlocal nonlinear methodology. Kinematics is modeled according to the Bernoulli-Euler beam theory. Geometric nonlinearities are captured exploiting the von Kármán approach. The constitutive law of piezoelectricity, coupling mechanical and electrostatic behaviors, is combined with a nonlocal formulation accounting for size effects. Notably, the stress-driven nonlocal theory of integral elasticity is adopted and reverted to an equivalent differential formulation for theoretical and computational purposes. The relevant structural problem of piezoelectric nonlocal elastic beams is derived and solved for benchmark case-studies. Parametric analyses are carried out to show the influence of scale effects and electric voltages on the electromechanical response. The proposed methodology can enhance modeling and design of new-generation nano-electromechanical systems.