Combined torsional buckling of multi-walled carbon nanotubes coupling with axial loading and radial pressures (Q957410)

Due to the fact that experimental research and molecular dynamics simulations of torsional buckling of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) remain a formidable task, the authors study the torsional buckling of MWNT under combined torque, axial loading and radial pressure using a continuum mechanics model which takes into account the van der Waals interaction between adjacent tubes. In the presented analysis, the authors assume that the twist per unit length caused by the applied torque is identical for different layers of MWNT, i.e. the shear membrane force of each layer is related to its radius. A condition is derived for determination of the critical buckling torque, which includes the axial buckling and radial pressure. In particular, an explicit expression is obtained for combined torsional buckling. Numerical examples illustrate the effect of the axial stress (axial tensile stress or axial compressive stress), and the effect of internal pressure and external pressure on the critical buckling torque. Some results are compared with the results known in the literature.