Investigation of viscous fluid flow and dynamic stability of CNTs subjected to axial harmonic load coupled using Bolotin's method

Purpose The dynamic stability of nano-tubes is an important issue in engineering applications. Dynamic stability of anti-symmetric coupled-carbon nanotubes (C-CNTs)-systems in thermal environment is presented in this paper. In this system, the top and bottom CNTs are subjected to axial harmonic load and action of the viscous fluid, respectively. Design/methodology/approach The coupling and surrounding mediums of the CNTs are simulated by visco-Pasternak foundation containing the spring, shear and damper coefficients. Based on the Timoshenko beam theory and Hamilton's principle, the coupled motion equations are derived considering size effects using Eringen's nonlocal theory. Using the exact solution in conjunction with Bolotin's method, the dynamic instability region (DIR) of the coupled structure is obtained. The effects of various parameters such as small scale parameter, Knudsen number, fluid velocity, static load factor, temperature change, surrounding medium and nanotubes aspect ratio are shown on the DIR of the coupled system. Findings Results indicate that considering parameters such as small scale effects, static load factor, Knudsen number and fluid velocity shifts the DIR of C-CNTs to a lower frequency zone. Originality/value To the best of our knowledge, analyses of anti-symmetric coupled CNTs have not received enough attentions so far. In order to optimize the nanostructures designing, the main purpose of the present paper is to investigate nonlocal dynamic stability of CNTs subjected to axial harmonic load coupled with CNTs conveying fluid.