Nonlocal strain gradient shell model for axial buckling and postbuckling analysis of magneto-electro-elastic composite nanoshells

The present study deals with the size-dependent nonlinear buckling and postbuckling characteristics of magneto-electro-elastic cylindrical composite nanoshells incorporating simultaneously the both of hardening-stiffness and softening-stiffness size effects. To accomplish this purpose, the nonlocal strain gradient elasticity theory is applied to the classical shell theory. Via the virtual work's principle, the size dependent governing differential equations are constructed including the coupling terms between the axial mechanical compressive load, external magnetic potential and external electrical potential. The nonlinear prebuckling deformations and the large postbuckling deflections are taken into consideration based upon the boundary layer theory of shell buckling. Finally, an improved perturbation technique is employed to achieve explicit analytical expressions for nonlocal strain gradient stability curves of magneto-electro-elastic nanoshells under various surface electric and magnetic voltages. It is seen that a positive electric potential and a negative magnetic potential cause to increase both of the nonlocality and strain gradient size dependencies in the nonlinear instability behavior of axially loaded magneto-electro-elastic composite nanoshells, while a negative electric potential and a positive magnetic potential play an opposite role. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.