▎ 摘　　要

The aim of the present study was to develop a finite element based atomistic model to study the stability of graphene monolayers with respect to dimensional as well as geometrical parameters. A linear finite element approach was adopted for the numerical analysis to characterise the buckling strength of graphene under the influence of compressive loading. The developed atomistic model was based on the assumption that graphene can be modelled as a space frame structure, in which bond interactions between 'C-C' atoms were assumed to behave like structural beams. The proposed model was found to be less numerically intensive with fewer degrees of freedom in comparison to other numerical techniques. During the numerical analysis it was established that graphene in a 'zig-zag' geometrical configuration has greater strength against buckling in comparison to an 'arm-chair' configuration. Buckling strength of graphene sheets was ascertained to decrease significantly with increasing length-to-width aspect ratio. The curvature of graphene monolayers was found to have a significant effect on sheet stability as well, that is, curved profiles provide enhanced stability against buckling.