A new approach for free vibration of axially functionally graded beams with non-uniform cross-section

This paper studies free vibration of axially functionally graded beams with non-uniform cross-section. A novel and simple approach is presented to solve natural frequencies of free vibration of beams with variable flexural rigidity and mass density. For various end supports including simply supported, clamped, and free ends, we transform the governing equation with varying coefficients to Fredholm integral equations. Natural frequencies can be determined by requiring that the resulting Fredholm integral equation has a non-trivial solution. Our method has fast convergence and obtained numerical results have high accuracy. The effectiveness of the method is confirmed by comparing numerical results with those available for tapered beams of linearly variable width or depth and graded beams of special polynomial non-homogeneity. Moreover, fundamental frequencies of a graded beam combined of aluminum and zirconia as two constituent phases under typical end supports are evaluated for axially varying material properties. The effects of the geometrical and gradient parameters are elucidated. The present results are of benefit to optimum design of non-homogeneous tapered beam structures.     

Exact analytical solution for free vibration of functionally graded micro/nanoplates via three-dimensional nonlocal elasticity

Using three-dimensional (3-D) nonlocal elasticity theory of Eringen, this paper presents closed-form solutions for in-plane and out-of-plane free vibration of simply supported functionally graded (FG) rectangular micro/nanoplates. Elasticity modulus and mass density of FG material are assumed to vary exponentially through the thickness of micro/nanoplate, whereas Poisson's ratio is considered to be constant. By employing appropriate displacement fields for the in-plane and out-of-plane modes that satisfy boundary conditions of the plate, ordinary differential equations of free vibration are obtained. Boundary conditions on the lateral surfaces are imposed on the analytical solutions of the equations to yield the natural frequencies of FG micro/nanoplate. The natural frequencies of FG micro/nanoplate are obtained for different values of nonlocal parameter and gradient index of material properties. The results of this investigation can be used as a benchmark for the future numerical, semi-analytical and analytical studies on the free vibration of FG micro/nanoplates.     

Nonlinear free vibration behavior of functionally graded plates

In this paper, an analytical solution is provided for the nonlinear free vibration behavior of plates made of functionally graded materials. The material properties of the functionally graded plates are assumed to vary continuously through the thickness, according to a power-law distribution of the volume fraction of the constituents. The fundamental equations for thin rectangular plates of functionally graded materials are obtained using the von Karman theory for large transverse deflection, and the solution is obtained in terms of mixed Fourier series. The effect of material properties, boundary conditions and thermal loading on the dynamic behavior of the plates is determined and discussed. The results reveal that nonlinear coupling effects play a major role in dictating the fundamental frequency of functionally graded plates.     

Free vibration analysis of functionally graded plates using the element-free kp-Ritz method

A free vibration analysis of metal and ceramic functionally graded plates that uses the element-free kp-Ritz method is presented. The material properties of the plates are assumed to vary continuously through their thickness according to a power-law distribution of the volume fractions of the plate constituents. The first-order shear deformation plate theory is employed to account for the transverse shear strain and rotary inertia, and mesh-free kernel particle functions are used to approximate the two-dimensional displacement fields. The eigen-equation is obtained by applying the Ritz procedure to the energy functional of the system. Convergence studies are performed to examine the stability of the proposed method, and comparisons of the solutions derived with those reported in the literature are provided to verify its accuracy. Four types of functionally graded rectangular and skew plates—Al/Al₂O₃, Al/ZrO₂, Ti–6Al–4V/Aluminum oxide, and SUS304/Si₃N₄—are included in the study, and the effects of the volume fraction, boundary conditions, and length-to-thickness ratio on their frequency characteristics are discussed in detail.     

Two-dimensional thermoelasticity solution for functionally graded thick beams

Two-dimensional thermoelasticity analysis of functionally graded thick beams is presented using the state space method coupled with the technique of differential quadrature. Material properties vary continuously and smoothly through the beam thickness, leading to variable coefficients in the state equation derived from the elasticity equations. Approximate laminate model is employed to translate the state equation into the one with constant coefficients in each layer. To avoid numerical instability, joint coupling matrices are introduced according to the continuity conditions at interfaces in the approximate model. The differential quadrature procedure is applied to discretizing the beam in the axial direction to make easy the treatment of arbitrary end conditions. A simply-supported beam with exponentially varying material properties is considered to validate the present method. Numerical examples are performed to investigate the influences of relative parameters.     

Three-dimensional free vibration of thick functionally graded annular plates in thermal environment

The free vibration analysis of functionally graded (FG) thick annular plates subjected to thermal environment is studied based on the 3D elasticity theory. The material properties are assumed to be temperature dependent and graded in the thickness direction. Considering the thermal environment effects and using Hamilton's principle, the equations of motion are derived. The effects of the initial thermal stresses are considered accurately by obtaining them from the 3D thermoelastic equilibrium equations. The differential quadrature method (DQM) as an efficient and accurate numerical tool is used to solve both the thermoelastic equilibrium and free vibration equations. Very fast rate of convergence of the method is demonstrated. Also, the formulation is validated by comparing the results with those obtained based on the first-order shear deformation theory and also with those available in the literature for the limit cases, i.e. annular plates without thermal effects. The effects of temperature rise, material and geometrical parameters on the natural frequencies are investigated. The new results can be used as benchmark solutions for future researches.     

Free vibration analysis of beams and frames with multiple cracks for damage detection

The problem of calculating the natural frequencies of beams with multiple cracks and frames with cracked beams is studied. The natural frequencies are obtained using a new method in which a rotational spring model is used to represent the cracks. For beams, dynamic stiffness matrices of order 4 are obtained in a recursive manner, according to the number of cracks, by applying partial Gaussian elimination. The Wittrick–Williams algorithm is used to compute the natural frequencies in the resulting transcendental eigenvalue problem. Published numerical examples for cracked beams are used for validation. The global dynamic stiffness matrix of a frame with multiply cracked members is then assembled. A published two bay frame example is used to evaluate the new method. The effect of changing the location of a crack in a two bay two storey frame is studied numerically, giving insight into the inverse problem of damage detection.     

Buckling and free vibration analysis of functionally graded cylindrical shells subjected to a temperature-specified boundary condition

Linear thermal buckling and free vibration analysis are presented for functionally graded cylindrical shells with clamped-clamped boundary condition based on temperature-dependent material properties. The material properties of functionally graded materials (FGM) shell are assumed to vary smoothly and continuously across the thickness. With high-temperature specified on the inner surface of the FGM shell and outer surface at ambient temperature, 1D heat conduction equation along the thickness of the shell is applied to determine the temperature distribution; thereby, the material properties based on temperature distribution are made available for thermal buckling and free vibration analysis. First-order shear deformation theory along with Fourier series expansion of the displacement variables in the circumferential direction are used to model the FGM shell. Numerical studies involved the understanding of the influence of the power-law index, r/h and l/r ratios on the critical buckling temperature. Free vibration studies of FGM shells under elevated temperature show that the fall in natural frequency is very drastic for the mode corresponding to the lowest natural frequency when compared to the lowest buckling temperature mode.     

A new analytical technique for vibration analysis of non-proportionally damped beams

Vibrating linear mechanical systems, in particular continuous systems, are often modelled considering proportional damping distributions only, although in many real situations this simplified approach does not describe the dynamics of the system with sufficient accuracy. In this paper an analytical method is given to take into account the effects of a more general viscous damping model, referred to as non-proportional damping, on a class of vibrating continuous systems. A state-form expansion applied in conjunction with a transfer matrix technique is adopted to extract the eigenvalues and to express the eigenfunctions in analytical form, i.e., complex modes corresponding to non-synchronous motions. Numerical examples are included in order to show the efficiency of the proposed method; non-proportional damping distributions of different type, such as internal and external lumped or distributed viscous damping, are tested on non-homogeneous Euler-Bernoulli beams in bending vibration with different boundary conditions. Finally, a discussion on root locus diagrams behaviour and on modal damping ratio significance for non-proportionally damped systems is presented.     

Free vibration analysis of corner-supported rectangular plates with symmetrically distributed edge beams

Analytical type solutions are obtained for the free vibration frequencies and mode shapes of thin corner-supported rectangular plates with symmetrically distributed reinforcing beams, or strips, attached to the plate edges. The method of superposition is employed. Equations governing reactions at plate-beam interfaces are developed in dimensionless form. The approach is comprehensive in that both lateral and rotational stiffness, and inertia, of the beam are incorporated into the analysis. For illustrative purposes computed eigenvalues and mode shapes are presented for two plate-beam systems of realistic geometries. It is shown that the method is easily extended to cover the case where the edge beams do not have a symmetrical distribution. This appears to be the first comprehensive analytical study of this problem of industrial interest.     

Free vibration analysis of functionally graded conical shells and annular plates using the Haar wavelet method

The main aim of this paper is to provide a simple yet efficient solution for the free vibration analysis of functionally graded (FG) conical shells and annular plates. A solution approach based on Haar wavelet is introduced and the first-order shear deformation shell theory is adopted to formulate the theoretical model. The material properties of the shells are assumed to vary continuously in the thickness direction according to general four-parameter power-law distributions in terms of volume fractions of the constituents. The separation of variables is first performed; then Haar wavelet discretization is applied with respect to the axial direction and Fourier series is assumed with respect to the circumferential direction. The constants appearing from the integrating process are determined by boundary conditions, and thus the partial differential equations are transformed into algebraic equations. Then natural frequencies of the FG shells are obtained by solving algebraic equations. Accuracy and reliability of the current method are validated by comparing the present results with the existing solutions. Effects of some geometrical and material parameters on the natural frequencies of shells are discussed and some selected mode shapes are given for illustrative purposes. It’s found that accurate frequencies can be obtained by using a small number of collocation points and boundary conditions can be easily achieved. The advantages of this current solution method consist in its simplicity, fast convergence and excellent accuracy.     

Analytical approach for free vibration analysis of two-layer Timoshenko beams with interlayer slip

In this paper, an analytical procedure for free vibrations of shear-deformable two-layer beams with interlayer slip is developed. The effect of transverse shear flexibility of two layers is taken into account in a general way by assuming that each layer behaves as a Timoshenko beam element. Therefore, the layers have independent shear strains that depend indeed on their own shear modulus. This is the main improvement of the proposed model compared to existing models where the transverse shear flexibility is ignored or taken into account in a simplified way in which the shear strains of both layers are assumed to be equal whatever the shear modulus of the layers. In the proposed model, the two layers are connected continuously and the partial interaction is considered by assuming a continuous relationship between the interface shear flow and the corresponding slip. Based on these key assumptions, the governing differential equation of the problem is derived using Hamilton's principle and is analytically solved. The solutions for the eigenfrequencies and eigenmodes of four single span two-layer beams with classical Euler boundary conditions, i.e. pinned-pinned, clamped-clamped, clamped-pinned and clamped-free, are presented. Next, some numerical applications dealing with these four beams are carried out in order to compare the eigenfrequencies obtained with the proposed model against two existing models which consider different kinematic assumptions. Finally, a parametric study is conducted with the aim to investigate the influence of varying material and geometric parameters on the eigenfrequencies, such as shear stiffness of the connectors, span-to-depth ratios, flexural-to-shear moduli ratios and layer shear moduli ratios.     

Nonlocal three-dimensional theory of elasticity with application to free vibration of functionally graded nanoplates on elastic foundations

In the present work, a three-dimensional (3D) elastic plate model capturing the small scale effects is developed for the free vibration of functionally graded (FG) nanoplates resting on elastic foundations. The theoretical model is formulated employing the nonlocal differential constitutive relations of Eringen in conjunction with the 3D equations of motion of elasticity.The material properties are assumed to vary continuously along the thickness of the nanoplate in accordance with the power law formulation. Through extending the generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method to the three-dimensional case, the governing equations are simultaneously discretized in every three coordinate directions and are then recast to the standard form of an eigen value problem. Solving the acquired problem, the natural frequencies of the nanoplates with different boundary conditions are calculated. The convergence behavior of the numerical results is checked out and comparison studies are conducted to make sure of the accuracy and reliability of the present model. Finally, the dependence of the vibration behavior of the nanoplate on edge conditions, elastic coefficients of the foundation, scale coefficient, mode number, material and geometric parameters are discussed.     

Interfacial stress analysis of functionally graded beams strengthened with a bonded hygrothermal aged composite plate

This paper reports an improved analytical solution for analysis the problem of interface stresses in functionally graded beam (FGB) strengthened with bonded hygrothermal aged composite plates. The material properties of the functionally graded beam are supposed to vary according to power law distribution of the volume fraction of the constituents through the beam thickness. The obtained results are compared with the existing solutions in the literature to verify the validity of the new analytical approach. It is found that the inhomogeneities play an important role in reducing the stress concentrations along bi-material interfaces. Finally, a parametric study was carried out to show the effects of the fiber volume fraction, the hygrothermal effect, and some design variables, e.g. thickness of adhesive layer and FRP plate on the magnitude of maximum shear and normal stress.     

An exact analytical approach to the free vibration analysis of rectangular plates with mixed boundary conditions

A comprehensive analytical technique is developed for the free vibration analysis of rectangular plates with discontinuities along the boundaries. For illustrative purposes a solution is obtained for plates with edges partially clamped and partially simply supported and plates with edges partially and partially simply supported. A vast array of first mode eigenvalues is provided for these families of plates. Solutions to the equations are obtained by exploiting a mathematical technique described by the author during an earlier publication. It is shown that eigenvalue matrices are easily generated for a wide range of plates with discontinuities in boundary conditions.     

Computations and evaluations of higher-order theories for free vibration analysis of beams

This paper deals with higher-order theories for the analysis of free vibration of beam structures. Refined theories are implemented by the application of the Unified Formulation by the first author which allows one to introduce any-order expansions of the displacement unknowns over the beam sections. The selection of the most appropriate theory is made by using a so-called axiomatic–asymptotic approach which permits one to retain only those terms of the displacement expansion which have been established to be significant with respect to an assigned control parameter. The finite element method is used to provide numerical solutions. Various beam sections as well as boundary conditions are considered. Depending on the vibration modes (bending, torsion, etc.), quite different theories are selected. In general, the number of the effective terms of the resultant theories is much lower than the full expansion case amount. The nature of these terms can differ very much as different beam geometries and boundary conditions are considered. It has been concluded that the method proposed appears to be suitable and convenient to establish the most appropriate beam theory for a given problem; it leads, in fact, to the cheapest computational model for a given accuracy.     

Electro-mechanical response of functionally graded beams with imperfectly integrated surface piezoelectric layers

The time-dependent behavior of a simply-supported functionally graded beam bonded with piezoelectric sensors and actuators is studied using the state-space method. The creep behavior of bonding adhesives between piezoelectric layers and beam is characterized by a Kelvin-Voigt viscoelastic model, which is practical in a high temperature circumstance. Both the host elastic functionally graded beam and the piezoelectric layers are orthotropic and in a state of plane stress, with the former being inhomogeneous along the thickness direction. A laminate model is employed to approximate the host beam. Moreover, the coupling effect between the elastic deformation and electric field in piezoelectric layers is considered. Results indicate that the viscoelastic property of interfacial adhesives has a significant effect on the function of bonded actuators and sensors with time elapsing.     

A method of stability analysis for non-linear vibration of beams

In this paper, a method of stability analysis for the large amplitude, steady state response of a non-linear beam under periodic excitation is presented. The stability problem is investigated by studying the behavior of a small perturbation of the steady state response which results in a coupled Hill-type equation. The problem is transformed by the harmonic balance method into an eigenvalue problem of a non-symmetric matrix. The effectiveness and the accuracy of the proposed method for a Mathieu equation are examined and the application to the stability analysis of the non-linear vibrations of a beam is presented.     

Thermal postbuckling and vibration analyses of functionally graded plates

Thermal postbuckling and vibration behaviors of the functionally graded (FG) plate are investigated. The material properties of the FG plate are assumed to vary continuously through the thickness of the plate and as temperature with the nonlinearity. The nonlinear finite element equations based on the first-order shear deformation plate theory are formulated for the FG plate. The von Karman nonlinear strain–displacement relationship is used to account for the large deflection of the plate. The incremental form considering the initial displacement and initial stress is adopted for the nonlinear temperature-dependent material properties of the functionally graded material. The numerical result shows the characteristics of the thermal postbuckling and vibration of the FG plate in the pre- and post-buckled regions.