Abstract
Estimating accurately the natural frequencies of electrically actuated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been an active research subject over the past few years. Despite the importance of the topic, robust knowledge is still missing in the understanding of the role of various physical parameters affecting the natural frequencies, such as the stretching of doubly clamped CNTs, the DC electrostatic force, and the initial curvature of slack CNTs. In this investigation, we use a 2D nonlinear curved beam model in the form of an arch to simulate the coupled in-plane and out-of-plane motions of a CNT with curvature. We calculate the variation of its natural frequencies and mode shapes with the level of slackness and the DC electrostatic load. Towards this end, we derive a reduced-order model using a multimode Galerkin procedure. We show various scenarios of mode crossing and mode veering as the levels of slackness and DC load are varied. Finally, we tackle the forced vibration problem of a curved CNT when actuated by small DC and AC loads. The results show the transfer of energy among the vibration modes involved in the veering phenomenon. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.