Exploring the Limits of Euler–Bernoulli Theory in Micromechanics

Abstract

In this study, the limits of the Euler–Bernoulli theory in micromechanics are explored. Raman spectroscopy, which is extremely accurate and reliable, is employed to study the bending of a microbeam of a length of 191 μm. It is found that at the micro-scale, the Euler–Bernoulli theory remains an exact and consistent tool, and, possibly, other elasticity theories (such as micropolar theory, gradient elasticity theory, and couple stress theory) are not always required to study this phenomenon. More specifically, good correlation was achieved between the theoretical and experimental results, the former acquired via the theoretical equations and the latter obtained with the use of atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The exact predicted strain of an atomic force microscope microbeam under bending, by Euler–Bernoulli equations is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy.

Keywords

• Euler–Bernoulli beam theory
• microbeam bending
• Raman spectroscopy
• AFM
• small deformations