In the framework of the theory of non‐local elasticity, a model on the buckling of a weakened nanobeam subjected to constant axial load is presented. Based on this model, the characteristic equation for a simply supported weakened nanobeam is obtained, through which the value of buckling load can be determined. The influences of small length scale and weakened junction on the buckling load are discussed. It is shown that the buckling load is dependent upon the scale coefficient, junction stiffness and junction location.

Rammed earth construction is an ancient technique which has recently attracted renewed interest throughout the world. Although rammed earth is currently regarded as a promising material in the construction industry in the context of sustainable development, it is difficult to quantify its bearing capacity, mechanical performance, as well as retrofitting approach, which discourages people from large-scale application in architectural engineering. This paper is devoted to the study of these problems based on rammed earth wall model experimentation. Three different models are studied considering different material components as well as structural configurations. By measuring the strain and deformation of the rammed earth wall models subjected to uniformly-distributed vertical loading, their ultimate bearing capacities are tested based on experimental investigation. Then the method of cement mortar-steel fiber reinforcement (CMSF) is carried out to study the ultimate bearing capacity enhancement of the wall models. Results show that the method of cement mortar-steel fiber reinforcement can increase the ultimate bearing capacity of the rammed earth wall models significantly, which is of relevant engineering significance in practical application.

In the framework of finite deformation theory, the burst failure analysis of defect-free pipelines made of ductile material and with plastic anisotropy subjected to combined internal and external pressures is conducted. The analytical solution of burst pressure is obtained for long end-capped thin-walled pipes, which includes the effects of plastic anisotropy and external pressure. The influences of plastic anisotropy and external pressure on the burst pressure are discussed. It is shown that the dependence of burst pressure on plastic anisotropy and external pressure are significant. In the end, the proposed solution of burst pressure is verified with the experimental result.

Through atomistic simulations, this work investigated the permeability of hexagonal diamond nanochannels for NaCl solution. Compared with the multilayer graphene nanochannel (with a nominal channel height of 6.8 Å), the diamond nanochannel exhibited better permeability. The whole transportation process can be divided into three stages: the diffusion stage, the transition stage and the flow stage. Increasing the channel height reduced the transition nominal pressure that distinguishes the diffusion and flow stages, and improved water permeability (with increased water flux but reduced ion retention rate). In comparison, channel length and solution concentration exerted ignorable influence on water permeability of the channel. Further simulations revealed that temperature between 300 and 350 K remarkably increased water permeability, accompanied by continuously decreasing transition nominal pressure. Additional investigations showed that the permeability of the nanochannel could be effectively tailored by surface functionalization. This work provides a comprehensive atomic insight into the transportation process of NaCl solution in a diamond nanochannel, and the established understanding could be beneficial for the design of advanced nanofluidic devices.