Size dependent bending analysis of micro/nano sandwich structures based on a nonlocal high order theory

In this paper, a new model based on nonlocal high order theory is proposed to study the size effect on the bending of nano-sandwich beams with a compliance core. In this model, in contrast to most of the available sandwich theories, no prior assumptions are made with respect to the displacement field in the core. Herein the displacement and the stress fields of the core are obtained through an elasticity solution. Equations of motion and boundary conditions for nano-sandwich beam are derived by using Hamilton's principle and an analytical solution is presented for simply supported nano-sandwich beam. The results are validated with previous studies in the literature. These results can be utilized in the study of nano-sensors and nano-actuators. The effect of nonlocal parameter, Young's modulus of the core and aspect ratio on the deflection of the nano-sandwich beam is investigated. It is concluded that by including the small-scale effects, the deflection of the skins is increased and by increasing the nonlocal parameter, the influence of small-scale effects on the deflections is increased.