On the dynamics of 3D nonlocal solids

The stress-driven nonlocal continuum theory is a well-established integral elasticity formulation. Modelling the elastic strain via a convolution integral between stress and an averaging kernel, the theory leads to an integro-differential structural problem for arbitrary 3D nonlocal solids. Integral elasticity solutions are mainly available for 1D solids by adopting a bi-exponential kernel and reverting the boundary-value integro-differential problem to an equivalent differential formulation involving both classical and constitutive boundary conditions. A general computational framework to implement the stress-driven theory for 3D nonlocal solids is still missing. This paper tackles this issue, solving the relevant integro-differential problem by a two-field finite-element approach involving displacements and stresses. The approach can handle the dynamics of complex small-size structures of arbitrary shape. Focusing on free vibration responses, two examples are presented: a 2D rectangular plate, serving as benchmark to demonstrate size effects captured by stress-driven nonlocal elasticity, and a 3D solid modelling a typical dual microcantilever resonator with overhang.