Thermoelectric interactions in Euler–Bernoulli microbeams under the influence of a thermal pulse via the size-dependent couple stress model

Abstract

A novel comparative examination is conducted on homogeneous flexible microbeams to explore the impact of various electrical voltage sources on their thermomechanical properties. A mathematical model based on the modified couple stress theory has been established, allowing the prediction of size-dependent phenomena observed in microbeam resonators. In addition, the heat transfer inside the microbeam is characterized by the use of a non-Fourier law that involves thermal relaxation, implying an infinite speed of heat propagation. The developed theoretical framework is applied to investigate the thermoelastic response of an Euler–Bernoulli microbeam simply supported at both ends and subjected to a sinusoidal heat pulse. Moreover, a graphene strip, connected to an electrical voltage supply, acts as a heat source at a specific end of the microbeam. The Laplace transform method is used to solve the coupled heat transfer and motion equations. This gives closed formulas that describe the physical fields of thermoelastic microbeams. Numerical case studies are performed in a comparative analysis between the results obtained and those derived from conventional models using graphical representations. Additionally, an investigation is conducted to explore the influence of various factors, such as coupling stress, voltage, electrical resistance, and heat pulses, on the dynamic behavior of all the investigated fields.