2019, 40(12): 1321-1334.
doi: 10.21656/1000-0887.400056
Abstract:
Based on the modified couple stress theory, the basic variables of the Timoshenko microbeam, such as the stress, couple stress, strain and curvature, were described as the functions of partial derivatives of displacement components. According to the principle of minimum total potential energy, the governing differential equation was derived to determine the displacement field of the Timoshenko microbeam. The series method was utilized to solve the governing differential equation for the simply supported Timoshenko microbeam under arbitrary load, and the theoretical couple stress solutions of the deflection, rotation angle and stress, which can reflect the size effects, were obtained. The size effects of the deflection, rotation angle and stress of the Timoshenko microbeam subjected to a cosine distribution load were investigated in detail, and the influence of Poisson’s ratio on the mechanical behaviors of the Timoshenko microbeam and the size effects were analyzed. The results show that, both the stiffness and the strength of the Timoshenko microbeam improve clearly with the decreased cross section height and their size effects are obvious when the ratio of the cross section height to the material characteristic length is less than 5. However, both the stiffness and the strength of the Timoshenko microbeam tend to be stable and their size effects can be neglected when the ratio of the cross section height to the material characteristic length is greater than 10. Poisson’s ratio is an important factor influencing the mechanical behaviors of the Timoshenko microbeam and the size effects. The smaller Poisson’s ratio is, the more significant the size effects of the stiffness and the strength will be. The developed model can effectively describe the mechanical behaviors of Timoshenko microbeams and their size effects, and makes a theoretical basis and technical reference for the design and analysis of microstructures in the micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS).