Dynamic instability of nanorods/nanotubes subjected to an end follower force

This paper presents an investigation on the dynamic instability of cantilevered nanorods/nanotubes subjected to an end follower force. Eringen's nonlocal elasticity theory is employed to allow for the small length scale effect in the considered dynamic instability problem. The general solution for the governing differential equation is obtained and the dynamic instability characteristic equation is derived by applying the boundary conditions. Exact critical load factors are obtained. These nonlocal solutions are compared with the classical local solutions to assess the sensitivity of the small length scale effect on the critical load factors and flutter mode shapes. It is found that the small length scale effect decreases the critical load and the corresponding frequency parameters as well as reduces the severity of the double-curvature flutter mode shape. © 2010 ASCE.