determining the flexural strength of defected carbon nanotubes using structural mechanics

In this paper, the flexural strength of defected carbon nanotube(cnts) are obtained by the structural mechanics approach. for this purpose, first the covalent bonds of carbon atoms are equivalent to three-dimensional frame elements and simulated in the finite element environment. then, the cnt is subjected to nonlinear bending loading and this loading continues until buckling and instability of the structure. the results show that structural defects and cnt length have a significant effect on the flexural strength.