A nonlocal higher-order curved beam finite model including thickness stretching effect for bending analysis of curved nanobeams

In the present work, a finite element approach is developed for the static analysis of curved nanobeams using nonlocal elasticity beam theory based on Eringen formulation coupled with a higher-order shear deformation accounting for through-thickness stretching. The formulation is general in the sense that it can be used to compare the influence of different structural theories, through static and dynamic analyses of curved nanobeams. The governing equations derived here are solved introducing a 3-nodes beam element. The formulation is validated considering problems for which solutions are available. A comparative study is done here by different theories obtained through the formulation. The effects of various structural parameters such as thickness ratio, beam length, rise of the curved beam, loadings, boundary conditions, and nonlocal scale parameter are brought out on the static bending behaviors of curved nanobeams.