Large-amplitude free vibrations of functionally graded beams by means of a finite element formulation

The large-amplitude free vibration analysis of functionally graded beams is investigated by means of a finite element formulation. The Von-Karman type nonlinear strain–displacement relationships are employed where the ends of the beam are constrained to move axially. The effects of the transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia are included based upon the Timoshenko beam theory. The material properties are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction according to the power-law distribution. A statically exact beam element which devoid the shear locking effect with displacement fields based on the first order shear deformation theory is used to study the geometric nonlinear effects on the vibrational characteristics of functionally graded beams. The finite element method is employed to discretize the nonlinear governing equations, which are then solved by the direct numerical integration technique in order to obtain the nonlinear vibration frequencies of functionally graded beams with different boundary conditions. The influences of power-law exponent, vibration amplitude, beam geometrical parameters and end supports on the free vibration frequencies are studied. The present numerical results compare very well with the results available from the literature where possible. Some new results for the nonlinear natural frequencies are presented in both tabular and graphical forms which can be used for future references.     

Analytical analysis of free vibration of non-uniform and non-homogenous beams: Asymptotic perturbation approach

This paper applies the asymptotic perturbation approach (APA) to obtain a simple analytical expression for the free vibration analysis of non-uniform and non-homogenous beams with different boundary conditions. A linear governing equation of non-uniform and non-homogeneous beams is obtained based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory. The perturbative theory is employed to derive an asymptotic solution of the natural frequency of the beam. Finally, numerical solutions based on the analytical method are illustrated, where the effect of a variable width ratio on the natural frequency is analyzed. To verify the accuracy of the present method, two examples, piezoelectric laminated trapezoidal beam and axially functionally graded tapered beam, are presented. The results are compared with those results obtained from the finite element method (FEM) simulation and the published literature, respectively, and a good agreement is observed for lower-order beam frequencies.     

Free vibration of centrifugally stiffened axially functionally graded tapered Timoshenko beams using differential transformation and quadrature methods

The free bending vibration of rotating axially functionally graded (FG) Timoshenko tapered beams (TTB) with different boundary conditions are studied using Differential Transformation method (DTM) and differential quadrature element method of lowest order (DQEL). These two methods are capable of modelling any beam whose cross sectional area, moment of inertia and material properties vary along the beam. In order to verify the competency of these two methods, natural frequencies are obtained for problems by considering the effect of material non-homogeneity, taper ratio, shear deformation parameter, rotating speed parameter, hub radius and tip mass. The results are tabulated and compared with the previous published results wherever available.     

Natural frequency analysis of functionally graded material beams with axially varying stochastic properties

The functionally graded material (FGM) has a potential to replace ordinary ones in engineering reality due to its superior thermal and dynamical characteristics. In this regard, the paper presents an effective approach for uncertain natural frequency analysis of composite beams with axially varying material properties. Rather than simply assuming the material model as a deterministic function, we further extend the FGM property as a random field, which is able to account for spatial variability in laboratory observations and in-field data. Due to the axially varying input uncertainty, natural frequencies of the stochastically FGM (S-FGM) beam become random variables. To this end, the Karhunen–Loève expansion is first introduced to represent the composite material random field as the summation of a finite number of random variables. Then, a generalized eigenvalue function is derived for stochastic natural frequency analysis of the composite beam. Once the mechanistic model is available, the brutal Monte-Carlo simulation (MCS) similar to the design of experiment can be used to estimate statistical characteristics of the uncertain natural frequency response. To alleviate the computational cost of the MCS method, a generalized polynomial chaos expansion model developed based on a rather small number of training samples is used to mimic the true natural frequency function. Case studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach for uncertain natural frequency analysis of functionally graded material beams with axially varying stochastic properties.     

Free vibration and stability of tapered Euler–Bernoulli beams made of axially functionally graded materials

The free vibration and stability of axially functionally graded tapered Euler–Bernoulli beams are studied through solving the governing differential equations of motion. Observing the fact that the conventional differential transform method (DTM) does not necessarily converge to satisfactory results, a new approach based on DTM called differential transform element method (DTEM) is introduced which considerably improves the convergence rate of the method. In addition to DTEM, differential quadrature element method of lowest-order (DQEL) is used to solve the governing differential equation, as well. Carrying out several numerical examples, the competency of DQEL and DTEM in determination of free longitudinal and free transverse frequencies and critical buckling load of tapered Euler–Bernoulli beams made of axially functionally graded materials is verified.     

Post-buckling and nonlinear free vibration analysis of geometrically imperfect functionally graded beams resting on nonlinear elastic foundation

In this paper, post-buckling and nonlinear vibration analysis of geometrically imperfect beams made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) resting on nonlinear elastic foundation subjected to axial force are studied. The material properties of FGMs are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction according to a simple power law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The assumptions of a small strain and moderate deformation are used. Based on Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and von-Karman geometric nonlinearity, the integral partial differential equation of motion is derived. Then this partial differential equation (PDE) problem, which has quadratic and cubic nonlinearities, is simplified into an ordinary differential equation (ODE) problem by using the Galerkin method. Finally, the governing equation is solved analytically using the variational iteration method (VIM). Some new results for the nonlinear natural frequencies and buckling load of the imperfect functionally graded (FG) beams such as the effects of vibration amplitude, elastic coefficients of foundation, axial force, end supports and material inhomogeneity are presented for future references. Results show that the imperfection has a significant effect on the post-buckling and vibration response of FG beams.     

Vibrations of Timoshenko beams with isogeometric approach

A study on the free vibration analysis of Timoshenko beams is presented here. In order to determine natural frequencies of beams, a thick beam element is developed by using isogeometric approach based on Timoshenko beam theory which allows the transverse shear deformation and rotatory inertia effect. Three refinement schemes such as h-, p- and k-refinement are used in the analysis and the identification of shear locking is also conducted by using numerical examples. From numerical results, the present element can produce very accurate values of natural frequencies and the mode shapes due to exact definition of the geometry. With higher order basis functions, there is no shear locking phenomenon in very thin beam situations. Finally, the benchmark tests described in this study are provided as future reference solutions for Timoshenko beam vibration problem.     

Fuzzy finite element analysis for free vibration response of functionally graded semi-rigid frame structures

This study contributes a practical approach for the fuzzy free vibration quantification of functionally graded semi-rigid frame structures. A new Timoshenko beam element is formulated to include the connection rigidity for the analysis purpose. The finite element formulation is general to present different semi-rigid conditions, whereas hinged and rigid connections are special cases. Furthermore, an efficient response-surface-based fuzzy analysis is established based on the α–cut strategy and first-order Taylor's approximation to predict the fuzzy natural frequencies of the structures. Highlighted point is that various input uncertainties, such as the material characteristics, the member dimensions, and the connection rigidities, can be incorporated in the analysis by the presented fuzzy methodology. Computational efficiency and correctness of the proposed method are shown, and the effect of the uncertainties, especially of the connection rigidities, on the natural frequency of semi-rigid FGM structures is explored via solving some numerical examples.     

Vibration and stability of an axially moving Rayleigh beam

In this paper, the vibration and stability of an axially moving beam is investigated. The finite element method with variable-domain elements is used to derive the equations of motion of an axially moving beam based on Rayleigh beam theory. Two kinds of axial motions including constant-speed extension deployment and back-and-forth periodical motion are considered. The vibration and stability of beams with these motions are investigated. For vibration analysis, direct time numerical integration, based on a Runge–Kutta algorithm, is used. For stability analysis of a beam with constant-speed axial extension deployment, eigenvalues of equations of motion are obtained to determine its stability, while Floquet theory is employed to investigate the stability of the beam with back-and-forth periodical axial motion. The effects of oscillation amplitude and frequency of periodical axial movement on the stability of the beam are discussed from the stability chart. Time histories are established to confirm the results from Floquet theory.     

末端质量作用下变长度轴向运动梁的振动特性

对带集中质量,变长度(或速度)轴向运动梁的振动特性采用两种精确方法求解.首先,对变长度轴向运动Euler(欧拉)梁横向自由振动方程进行化简,通过复模态分析得到本征方程,并在有集中质量的边界条件下得到频率方程,用数值方法求解固有频率和模态函数.然后,采用有限元方法建立运动梁自由振动的方程,求解矩阵方程得到复特征值和复特征向量,结合形函数得到复模态位移.最后,将两种方法的计算结果进行了分析和对比.数值算例的结果表明:不同的轴向运动速度和集中质量对变长度轴向运动梁的振动特性有显著影响,两种计算方法的结果接近且均有效.     

轴向运动梁的横向振动分析

论述了轴向运动梁横向振动问题以及研究轴向运动梁横向振动问题的方法,指出对轴向运动梁横向振动问题研究中存在的一些错误并进行了更正.针对一端可看作固定边界条件的轴向运动悬臂梁,基于连续体的模态叠加法,推导出含自重效应的轴向运动梁动力响应的计算公式,进行实例计算,并对计算结果进行了详细的讨论,得出影响轴向运动梁振动响应的因素主要有速度和运动方向.     

Vibration of axially moving hyperelastic beam with finite deformation

In this paper, we study the vibration of an axially moving hyperelastic beam under simply supported condition. The kinematic of the axially moving beam have been described by Eulerian-Lagrangian formulation. In continuum mechanics frame, the finite deformation formula and a higher order shear deformation beam theory are applied to describe the deformation of the axially moving hyperelastic beam. In these formulas the material parameter, shear deformation and the geometric non-linearity have been taken into account. Through the Hamilton principle, the governing equations of nonlinear vibration are obtained, where the transverse vibration is coupled with the longitudinal vibration. When the velocity is a constant, the critical speed and natural frequencies are determined by solving the corresponding linear equations. Meantime, effects of the geometrical and material parameters on the critical speed and natural frequencies have been investigated. Comparisons among the critical velocities of the hyperelastic and Euler linear beam are also made. The results show that the critical velocity of hyperelastic beam is larger than that of linear Euler–Bernoulli beam. For the natural frequencies, we have the same conclusions. Lastly, by the multiple scales method, the leading order analytical solutions of the equilibrium state of axially moving hyperelastic beam in the supercritical regime are obtained. Furthermore the amplitudes of analytical solutions of the hyperelastic beam have been compared with that of linear Euler–Bernoulli beam. The effects of the material and geometrical parameters on the asymptotic solutions and the amplitude has been analyzed.     

Exact solutions for coupled analysis of thin-walled functionally graded beams with non-symmetric single- and double-cells

In the present work, the exact solutions for coupled analysis for bending and torsional case thin-walled functionally graded (FG) beams with non-symmetric single- and double-cells are presented for the first time. For this purpose, an accurate and efficient method is proposed to obtain the FG member stiffness matrix based on the series expansions of displacement components. Three types of material distributions are considered and the beam mechanical properties are graded along the wall thickness according to a power law of the volume fraction. The present beam model is on the basis of the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and the Vlasov one for bending and torsional problems, respectively. The explicit expressions for displacement parameters are derived using the power series approach from the four coupled equilibrium equations. Finally, the FG member stiffness matrix is determined from the seven force-displacement relations. In order to show the accuracy and super convergence of the thin-walled FG beam element developed by this study, the numerical solutions are presented and compared with results obtained from the finite beam element based on the approximate interpolation polynomials and other available results. Especially, the effects of various structural parameters such as material distribution type, volume fraction index, boundary condition, and material ratio on the spatially coupled responses of FG box beams with non-symmetric single- and double-cells are parametrically investigated.     

Vibration of carbon nanotube reinforced composite beams based on the first and third order beam theories

This paper investigates the linear free vibration of nanocomposite beams reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Two types of CNT reinforced beams, namely uniformly distributed CNT reinforced (UD-CNT) beams and functionally graded CNT reinforced (FG-CNT) beams, are considered. It is assumed that the SWCNTs are aligned along the beam axial direction and the distribution of the SWCNTs may vary through the thickness of the beam. The virtual strain and kinetic energies of the FG-CNT composite beam are obtained using the classic variational method of Hamilton’s principle and then solved by the p-Ritz method. Vibration frequency parameters for the FG-CNT beams based on the first order and third order beam theories are presented and the effects of CNT filler volume fraction, distribution, beam span to depth ratio and end support conditions on the free vibration characteristics of the beams are discussed. Comparison studies for UD-CNT and FG-CNT beams based on the first order and the third order beam theories are also performed and the differences in vibration frequencies between these two theories are highlighted.     

Free vibration characteristics of a functionally graded beam by finite element method

This paper presents the dynamic characteristics of functionally graded beam with material graduation in axially or transversally through the thickness based on the power law. The present model is more effective for replacing the non-uniform geometrical beam with axially or transversally uniform geometrical graded beam. The system of equations of motion is derived by using the principle of virtual work under the assumptions of the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory. The finite element method is employed to discretize the model and obtain a numerical approximation of the motion equation. The model has been verified with the previously published works and found a good agreement with them. Numerical results are presented in both tabular and graphical forms to figure out the effects of different material distribution, slenderness ratios, and boundary conditions on the dynamic characteristics of the beam. The above mention effects play very important role on the dynamic behavior of the beam.     

Free vibration and buckling of tapered columns made of axially functionally graded materials

This paper presents a unified model to analyze the free vibration and buckling of axially functionally graded Euler-Bernoulli columns subjected to an axial compressive force. The material properties vary linearly along the longitudinal direction, and column with circular and square cross sections is linearly tapered. The governing differential equations of the problem are derived and solved using the direct integral method combined with the determinant search technique. The computed results are compared with those reported in the literature and obtained from the finite element software ADINA. Numerical examples for natural frequency, buckling load and their corresponding mode shapes are given to highlight the effects of modular ratio, taper ratio and cross sectional shape as well as the end condition.     

Nonlinear analysis of buckling,free vibration and dynamic stability for the piezoelectric functionally graded beams in thermal environment

Employing Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and the physical neutral surface concept, the nonlinear governing equation for the functionally graded material beam with two clamped ends and surface-bonded piezoelectric actuators is derived by the Hamilton’s principle. The thermo-piezoelectric buckling, nonlinear free vibration and dynamic stability for the piezoelectric functionally graded beams, subjected to one-dimensional steady heat conduction in the thickness direction, are studied. The critical buckling loads for the beam are obtained by the existing methods in the analysis of thermo-piezoelectric buckling. The Galerkin’s procedure and elliptic function are adopted to obtain the analytical solution of the nonlinear free vibration, and the incremental harmonic balance method is applied to obtain the principle unstable regions of the piezoelectric functionally graded beam. In the numerical examples, the good agreements between the present results and existing solutions verify the validity and accuracy of the present analysis and solving method. Simultaneously, validation of the results achieved by rule of mixture against those obtained via the Mori–Tanaka scheme is carried out, and excellent agreements are reported. The effects of the thermal load, electric load, and thermal properties of the constituent materials on the thermo-piezoelectric buckling, nonlinear free vibration, and dynamic stability of the piezoelectric functionally graded beam are discussed, and some meaningful conclusions have been drawn.     

An analytical solution for dynamic behavior of a beam–column frame with a tip body

This paper analyzes the vibration characteristics of a beam-column frame, typical examples of which are often found in optical pickup actuators of optical disc drives (ODDs) and many architectural structures. The dynamic behaviour of this beam structure is predicted by solving mathematically its vibration characteristics governed by beam configurations. For practical applications and simplicity in the analysis, the vibration analysis for the structure is limited to lateral and longitudinal directions of the beams. As a result, mode and modal frequencies are obtained from mathematical expressions. The accuracy of vibration characteristics, which is mathematically induced, is demonstrated by a finite element (FE) analysis. Finally, it is shown that mode shapes are modified by using design values with the mathematical expressions.     

Transverse vibration of viscoelastic sandwich beam with time-dependent axial tension and axially varying moving velocity

Nonlinearly parametric resonances of axially accelerating moving viscoelastic sandwich beams with time-dependent tension are investigated in this paper. Based on the Kelvin differential constitutive equation, the controlling equation of the transverse vibration of a beam with large deflection is established. The system has been subjected to a time varying velocity and a harmonic axial tension. Here the governing equation of motion contains linear parametric terms and two frequencies, one is the frequency of axially moving velocity and the other one is the frequency of varying tension. The method of multiple scales is applied directly to the governing equation to obtain the complex eigenfunctions and natural frequencies of the system. The elimination of secular terms leads to the steady-state response and amplitude of vibrations. The influence of various parameters such as initial tension on natural frequencies and the amplitude of axial fluctuation, the phase angle between the two frequencies on response curves has been investigated for two different resonance conditions. With the help of numerical results, it has been shown that by using suitable initial tension, the amplitude of axial fluctuation, the phase angle, the vibration of the sandwich beam can be significantly controlled.     

Vibration and stability analysis of a simply-supported Rayleigh beam with spinning and axial motions

The vibration and stability of a simply supported beam are analyzed when the beam has an axially moving motion as well as a spinning motion. When a beam has spinning and axial motions, rotary inertia plays an important role on the lateral vibration. Compared to previous studies, the present study adopts the Rayleigh beam theory and derives more exact kinetic energy and equations of motion. The rotary inertia terms derived by the present study are compared to those of the previous studies. We investigate the natural frequencies between the present and previous studies. In addition, the critical speed and stability boundary for the spinning and moving speeds are also analyzed. It can be observed from the computed natural frequencies and dynamic responses that the present equations of motion are more reliable than the previous equations because the present equations fully consider the rotary inertia terms.