Stress simulation of carbon nanotubes in tension and compression

Based on a continuum shell model, a structural mechanics approach is presented to simulate stress-strain behavior of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The nanoscale continuum theory is established to directly incorporate the Morse potential function into the constitutive model of CNTs. According to the present model, the mechanical properties of both zigzag and armchair tubes are investigated. The result shows that the atomic structures of CNTs have a significant influence on the stress-strain behavior. The armchair zigzag tube exhibits larger stress-strain response than the zigzag tube under tensile loading, but its relationship turns over between the tension and compression deformations. The theoretical approach supplies a set of very simple formulas and able be serve as a good approximation on the mechanical properties for CNTs. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.