A non-classical model for circular Kirchhoff plates incorporating microstructure and surface energy effects

A new non-classical model for circular Kirchhoff plates subjected to axisymmetric loading is developed using a modified couple stress theory, a surface elasticity theory and Hamilton’s principle. The equations of motion and boundary conditions are simultaneously obtained through a variational formulation. The new plate model contains a material length scale parameter to capture the microstructure effect and three surface elasticity constants to...