Prof. Luciano Feo
University of Salerno, Italy

Title: Advanced Modelling of Functionally Graded Nanobeams with Surface and Size-Dependent Properties

Abstract: This study investigates the mechanical behaviour of functionally graded nanobeams by employing the innovative Surface-Stress Driven Model, which simultaneously captures nonlocal elasticity and surface effects—phenomena that are particularly significant at the nanoscale. Functionally graded materials (FGMs), characterized by continuous variations in composition and structure across their volume, exhibit unique mechanical properties that are critically influenced by these nanoscale effects. The research methodically examines the role of several key parameters, including the material grading index, nanobeam thickness, boundary conditions, loading types, and cross-sectional geometries. By integrating the Surface-Stress Driven Model, the study provides a comprehensive assessment of how surface stresses and nonlocality impact the mechanical response. The results reveal that material grading significantly enhances both stiffness and load-bearing capacity, while the combined consideration of surface and nonlocal effects leads to a more accurate representation of stress distribution, deflection behaviour, and dynamic response. These findings contribute valuable insights for the design and optimization of high-performance nanobeams, with potential applications in nano- and micro-electromechanical systems (NEMS and MEMS), aerospace engineering, and other fields that demand advanced material functionality at small scales.

This work was supported by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.1, Call for tender No. 104 published on 2.2.2022 by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU – Project Titles “Intelligent Systems for Infrastructural Diagnosis in Smart Concrete (ISIDE)” – Grant No. 2022S88WAY - CUP: D53D23008820006. Additional, this research was also supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) through the PRIN 2020 Research Grant No. 2020EBLPLS, titled “Opportunities and Challenges of Nanotechnology in Advanced and Green Construction Materials.”

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