Abstract
In this paper, the small scale effect on the buckling analysis of bi-axially compressed orthotropic Single-Layered Graphene Sheets (SLGS) supported on elastic medium is studied. Elastic theory of the graphene sheets is reformulated using the nonlocal differential constitutive relations of Eringen. Both Winkler-type and Pasternak-type foundation models are employed to simulate the interaction between the graphene sheet and supporting elastic medium. Using the principle of virtual work the governing differential equations are derived for rectangular orthotropic graphene sheets supported on elastic medium. Solutions for buckling loads for various boundary conditions are computed using Differential Quadrature Method (DQM). Parametric study has been performed to investigate the dependence of small scale effect on various graphene sheet parameters. It is observed that the nonlocal effect is significant in graphene sheets supported on elastic medium and has a decreasing effect on the buckling loads.