Mechanics of Single- and Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

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MECHANICS OF SINGLE- AND MULTI-WALL CARBON NANOTUBESAbstractCarbon nanotubes exhibit superior mechanical properties with extraordinarilyhigh stiffness and strength. There are, however, virtually no continuumstudies of carbon nanotubes because it is generally thought that continuummechanics theories are not applicable on the atomic or nanometer scales, andone must rely on atomistic studies. The atomistic studies, on the otherhand, have some limitations on both the time and length scales forapplications involving a large number of carbon nanotubes.The objective of the work is to develop a continuum theory for carbon nanotubes that incorporates the interatomic potential of carbon. We will adopt a systematic approach to link the continuum and atomistic scales. The strain energy density on the continuum level will be obtained by averaging the bond energy in carbon bonds on the atomic level, which will lead to a continuum constitutive model for carbon nanotubes. The nanoscale continuum will then be validated by the atomistic studies.