ABSTRACT
The axial compression behaviour of both single-walled and double-walled nanotubes has been studied by using finite element method (FEM). Elastic material model was employed to describe the material properties of nanotubes. Single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) were modelled by shell elements. The deformation mode of SWNTs subjected to axial loading was compared with the molecular dynamics (MD) result. The outer and inner tubes of double-walled nanotubes (DWNTs) were also modeled by using shell elements. The van de Waals force between the outer and inner tubes of the DWNTs was simulated by nonlinear springs and its effect on the compression behaviour of DWNTs was discussed. The compressive stress-strain curves of DWNTs with larger difference in radius between the outer and inner tubes are more sensitive to the van de Waals force.
