Thermal effects on postbuckling of nonlinear microbeams based on the modified strain gradient theory

In this paper, thermal effects on postbuckling of nonlinear microbeams are investigated. A nonlinear model based on the modified strain gradient theory that considers small scale effects is presented. Poisson's effect is included in order to maintain the consistency of equations. Two general cases of microbeams with immovable (axial) and movable ends are studied and for different transverse boundary conditions, analytical solutions for their postbuckling behavior in the presence of thermal effects are constructed. Results are verified with relevant previous works and excellent consistency is shown. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.