Cosserat Analysis of Microscale Structures

Abstract

In this thesis, the application of Cosserat mechanics to micro-scale structures is explored. Different structures considered include micro-scale gyroscopes, micro-cantilevers, and clamped-clamped micro-structures. Two-dimensional formulations with nonlinearities up to third order are derived and presented. Different parameterization schemes are used and the equivalence between the obtained results is discussed. Comparisons with prior results available in the literature are made in terms of inertia properties, stiffness properties, and natural frequencies. The present work points to the importance of considering Cosserat mechanics for examining the motions of micro-scale structures that undergo large as well as coupled deformations.