A nonlinear plate theory for the monolayer graphene

Abstract

In the present paper, the kinematic equation of a monolayer graphene is proposed based on a plate theory, and the nonlinear elasticity stress-strain relations are obtained from experiments. The equation includes cubic and quintic nonlinearities. The bending produced when subjected to a concentrated force at the center of the plate and the static buckling arising from edge in-plane axial uniform loads are investigated using Ritz methods for a simply-supported rectangular plate. Results suggest that the plate theory with nonlinear constitutive equation may characterize the mechanical property of a monolayer graphene appropriately, and the quintic nonlinearities have a significant effect on the bending deformations of the graphene.