• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.177-193
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• 2020

In the present research, dynamic analysis of functionally graded (FG) graphene-reinforced beams under thermal loading has been carried out based on finite element approach. The presented formulation is based on a higher order refined beam element accounting for shear deformations. The graphene-reinforced beam is exposed to transverse periodic mechanical loading. Graphene platelets have three types of dispersion within the structure including uniform-type, linear-type and nonlinear-type. Convergences and validation studies of derived results from finite element approach are also presented. This research shows that the resonance behavior of a nanocomposite beam can be controlled by the GPL content and dispersions. Therefore, it is showed that the dynamical deflections are notably influenced by GPL weight fractions, types of GPL distributions, temperature changes, elastic foundation and harmonic load excitation frequency.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.319-332
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• 2018

This paper investigates the free vibration of geometrically imperfect functionally graded car-bon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beams that are integrated with two sur-face-bonded piezoelectric layers and subjected to a combined action of a uniform temperature rise, a constant actuator voltage and an in-plane force. The material properties of FG-CNTRCs are assumed to be temperature-dependent and vary continuously across the thick-ness. A generic imperfection function is employed to simulate various possible imperfections with different shapes and locations in the beam. The governing equations that account for the influence of initial geometric imperfection are derived based on the first-order shear deformation theory. The postbuckling configurations of FG-CNTRC hybrid beams are determined by the differential quadrature method combined with the modified Newton-Raphson technique, after which the fundamental frequencies of hybrid beams in the postbuckled state are obtained by a standard eigenvalue algorithm. The effects of CNT distribution pattern and volume fraction, geometric imperfection, thermo-electro-mechanical load, as well as boundary condition are examined in detail through parametric studies. The results show that the fundamental frequency of an imperfect beam is higher than that of its perfect counterpart. The influence of geometric imperfection tends to be much more pronounced around the critical buckling temperature.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.149-159
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• 2018

Thermo-mechanical buckling of sandwich beams with a stiff core and face sheets made of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) within the framework of Timoshenko beam theory is presented. The material properties of FG-CNTRC are supposed to vary continuously in the thickness direction and are estimated through the rule of mixture. Also the properties of these materials should be considered temperature dependent. The governing equations and boundary conditions are derived by using Hamilton's principle and solved using an efficient technique called the Differential Transform Method (DTM) to achieve the critical buckling of the sandwich beam in uniform thermal environment. A detailed parametric study is guided to investigate the effects of carbon nanotube volume fraction, slenderness ratio, core-to-face sheet thickness ratio, and clamped-clamped, simply-simply and clamped-simply end supports on the critical buckling behavior of sandwich beams with FG-CNTRC face sheets. Numerical results for comparison of sandwich beams with uniformly distributed carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (UD-CNTRC) face sheets with those with FG-CNTRC face sheets are also presented.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.343-371
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• 2016

In this paper thermo-mechanical vibration analysis of a porous functionally graded (FG) Timoshenko beam in thermal environment with various boundary conditions are performed by employing a semi analytical differential transform method (DTM) and presenting a Navier type solution method for the first time. The temperature-dependent material properties of FG beam are supposed to vary through thickness direction of the constituents according to the power-law distribution which is modified to approximate the material properties with the porosity phases. Also the porous material properties vary through the thickness of the beam with even and uneven distribution. Two types of thermal loadings, namely, uniform and linear temperature rises through thickness direction are considered. Derivation of equations is based on the Timoshenko beam theory in order to consider the effect of both shear deformation and rotary inertia. Hamilton's principle is applied to obtain the governing differential equation of motion and boundary conditions. The detailed mathematical derivations are presented and numerical investigations are performed while the emphasis is placed on investigating the effect of several parameters such as porosity distributions, porosity volume fraction, thermal effect, boundary conditions and power-low exponent on the natural frequencies of the FG beams in detail. It is explicitly shown that the vibration behavior of porous FG beams is significantly influenced by these effects. Numerical results are presented to serve benchmarks for future analyses of FG beams with porosity phases.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.417-435
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• 2021

The optimal distribution of steel fibers over different layers of concrete can be considered as an appropriate method in improving the structural performance and reducing the cost of fiber-reinforced concrete members. In addition, the use of waste tire rubber in concrete mixes, as one of the practical ways to address environmental problems, is highly significant. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the flexural behavior of functionally graded steel fiber-reinforced concrete containing recycled tire crumb rubber, as a volume replacement of sand, after exposure to elevated temperatures. Little information is available in the literature regarding this subject. To achieve this goal, a set of 54 one-, two-, and three-layer concrete beam specimens with different fiber volume fractions (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 1.25%), but the same overall fiber content, and different volume percentages of the waste tire rubber (0, 5, and 10%) were exposed to different temperatures (23, 300, and 600℃). Afterward, the parameters affecting the post-heating flexural performance of concrete, including flexural strength and stiffness, toughness, fracture energy, and load-deflection diagrams, along with the compressive strength and weight loss of concrete specimens, were evaluated. The results indicated that the flexural strength and stiffness of the three-layer concrete beams respectively increased by 10 and 7%, compared to the one-layer beam specimens with the same fiber content. However, the flexural performance of the two-layer beams was reduced relative to those with one layer and equal fiber content. Besides, the flexural strength, toughness, fracture energy, and stiffness were reduced by approximately 10% when a 10% of natural sand was replaced with tire rubber in the three-layer specimens compared to the corresponding beams without crumb rubber. Although the flexural properties of concrete specimens increased with increasing the temperature up to 300℃, these properties degraded significantly with elevating the temperature up to 600℃, leading to a sharp increase in the deflection at peak load.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.99-112
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• 2022

The present study examines the natural frequencies (NFs) of perfect/imperfect functionally graded sandwich beams (P/IP-FGSBs), which are composed of a porous core constructed of functionally graded materials (FGMs) and a homogenous isotropic metal and ceramic face sheets resting on elastic foundations. To accomplish this, the material properties of the FGSBs are assumed to vary continuously along the thickness direction as a function of the volume fraction of constituents expressed by the modified rule of the mixture, which includes porosity volume fraction represented using four distinct types of porosity distribution models. Additionally, to characterize the reaction of the two-parameter elastic foundation to the Perfect/Imperfect (P/IP) FGSBs, the medium is assumed to be linear, homogeneous, and isotropic, and it is described using the Winkler-Pasternak model. Furthermore, the kinematic relationship of the P/IP-FGSBs resting on the Winkler-Pasternak elastic foundations (WPEFs) is described using trigonometric shear deformation theory (TrSDT), and the equations of motion are constructed using Hamilton's principle. A closed-form solution is developed for the free vibration analysis of P/IP-FGSBs resting on the WPEFs under four distinct boundary conditions (BCs). To validate the new formulation, extensive comparisons with existing data are made. A detailed investigation is carried out for the effects of the foundation coefficients, mode numbers (MNs), porosity volume fraction, power-law index, span to depth ratio, porosity distribution patterns (PDPs), skin core skin thickness ratios (SCSTR), and BCs on the values of the NFs of the P/IP-FGSBs.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.183-204
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• 2024

In current investigation, a novel beam finite element model is formulated to analyze the buckling and free vibration responses of functionally graded porous beams resting on Winkler-Pasternak elastic foundations. The novelty lies in the formulation of a simplified finite element model with only three degrees of freedom per node, integrating both C⁰ and C¹ continuity requirements according to Lagrange and Hermite interpolations, respectively, in isoparametric coordinate while emphasizing the impact of z-coordinate-dependent porosity on vibration and buckling responses. The proposed model has been validated and demonstrating high accuracy when compared to previously published solutions. A detailed parametric examination is performed, highlighting the influence of porosity distribution, foundation parameters, slenderness ratio, and boundary conditions. Unlike existing numerical techniques, the proposed element achieves a high rate of convergence with reduced computational complexity. Additionally, the model's adaptability to various mechanical problems and structural geometries is showcased through the numerical evaluation of elastic foundations, with results in strong agreement with the theoretical formulation. In light of the findings, porosity significantly affects the mechanical integrity of FGP beams on elastic foundations, with the advanced beam element offering a stable, efficient model for future research and this in-depth investigation enriches porous structure simulations in a field with limited current research, necessitating additional exploration and investigation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.3
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• pp.233-252
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• 2024

This research explores a new finite element model for the free vibration analysis of bi-directional functionally graded (BDFG) beams. The model is based on an efficient higher-order shear deformation beam theory that incorporates a trigonometric warping function for both transverse shear deformation and stress to guarantee traction-free boundary conditions without the necessity of shear correction factors. The proposed two-node beam element has three degrees of freedom per node, and the inter-element continuity is retained using both C1 and C0 continuities for kinematics variables. In addition, the mechanical properties of the (BDFG) beam vary gradually and smoothly in both the in-plane and out-of-plane beam's directions according to an exponential power-law distribution. The highly elevated performance of the developed model is shown by comparing it to conceptual frameworks and solution procedures. Detailed numerical investigations are also conducted to examine the impact of boundary conditions, the bi-directional gradient indices, and the slenderness ratio on the free vibration response of BDFG beams. The suggested finite element beam model is an excellent potential tool for the design and the mechanical behavior estimation of BDFG structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.659-672
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• 2015

This research deals with the analytical solution of a curved beam with different shapes made of functionally graded materials (FGM's). It was assumed that modulus of elasticity is graded along the thickness direction of curved beam based on a power function. The beam was loaded under pure bending. Using the linear theory of elasticity, the general relation for radial distribution of radial and circumferential stresses of arbitrary cross section was derived. The effect of nonhomogeneity was considered on the radial distribution of circumferential stress. This behavior can be investigated for positive and negative values of nonhomogeneity index. The novelty of this study is application of the obtained results for different combination of material properties and cross sections. Achieved results indicate that employing different nonhomogeneity index and selection of various types of cross sections (rectangular, triangular or circular) can control the distribution of radial and circumferential stresses as designer want and propose new solutions by these options. Increasing the nonhomogeneity index for positive or negative values of nonhomogeneity index and for various cross sections presents different behaviors along the thickness direction. In order to validate the present research, the results of this research can be compared with previous result for reachable cross sections and non homogeneity index.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.351-368
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• 2022

Recently, promising structural technologies like multi-function, ultra-load bearing capacity and tailored structures have been put up for discussions. Finite Element (FE) modelling is probably the best-known option capable of treating these superior properties and multi-domain behavior structures. However, advanced materials such as Functionally Graded Material (FGM) and nanocomposites suffer from problems resulting from variable material properties, reinforcement aggregation and mesh generation. Motivated by these factors, this research proposes a unified shape function for FGM, nanocomposites, graded nanocomposites, in addition to traditional isotropic and orthotropic structural materials. It depends not only on element length but also on the beam's material properties and geometric characteristics. The systematic mathematical theory and FE formulations are based on the Timoshenko beam theory for beam structure. Furthermore, the introduced element achieves C1 degree of continuity. The model is proved to be convergent and free-off shear locking. Moreover, numerical results for static and free vibration analysis support the model accuracy and capabilities by validation with different references. The proposed technique overcomes the issue of continuous properties modelling of these promising materials without discarding older ones. Therefore, introduced benchmark improvements on the FE old concept could be extended to help the development of new software features to confront the rapid progress of structural materials.