The Eringen nonlocal theory of elasticity formulated in differential form has been widely used to address problems in which size effect cannot be disregarded in micro- and nano-structured solids and nano-structures. However, this formulation shows some inconsistencies that are not completely understood. In this paper we formulate the problem of the static bending of Euler–Bernoulli beams using the Eringen integral constitutive equation. It is shown that, in general, the Eringen model in differential form is not equivalent to the Eringen model in integral form, and a general method to solve the problem rigorously in integral form is proposed. Beams with different boundary and load conditions are analyzed and the results are compared with those derived from the differential approach showing that they are different in general. With this integral formulation, the paradox that appears when solving the cantilever beam with the differential form of the Eringen model (increase in stiffness with the nonlocal parameter) is solved, which is one of the main contributions of the present work

In this paper, flexural vibrations of cracked micro- and nanobeams are studied. The model is based on the theory of nonlocal elasticity applied to Euler–Bernouilli beams. The cracked-beam model is established using a proper modification of the classical cracked-beam theory consisting of dividing the cracked element into two segments connected by a rotational spring located at the cracked section. This model promotes a discontinuity in bending slope, which is proportional to the second derivative of the displacements. Frequency equations of cracked nanobeams with some typical boundary conditions are derived and the natural frequencies for different crack positions, crack lengths, and nonlocal length parameters are calculated. The results are compared with those corresponding to the classical local model, emphasizing the differences occurring when the nonlocal effects are significant.