• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.1003-1020
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• 2015

In this study, free vibration analysis of an edge cracked multilayered symmetric sandwich beams made of functionally graded materials are investigated. Modelling of the cracked structure is based on the linear elastic fracture mechanics theory. Material properties of the functionally graded beams change in the thickness direction according to the power and exponential laws. To represent functionally graded symmetric sandwich beams more realistic, fifty layered beam is considered. Composition of each layer is different although each layer is isotropic and homogeneous. The considered problem is carried out within the Timoshenko first order shear deformation beam theory by using finite element method. A MATLAB code developed to calculate natural frequencies for clamped and simply supported conditions. The obtained results are compared with published studies and excellent agreement is observed. In the study, the effects of crack location, depth of the crack, power law index and slenderness ratio on the natural frequencies are investigated.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.169-194
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• 2024

Although the excellent characteristics of functionally graded materials (FGMs) cracks could be found due to manufacturing defects or extreme working conditions. The existence of these cracks may threaten the material or structural strength, reliability, and lifetime. Due to high cost and restrictions offered by practical operational features these cracked components couldn't be replaced immediately. Such circumstances lead to the requirement of assessing the dynamic performance of cracked functionally graded structural components especially under moving objects. The present study aims to comprehensively investigate the dynamic behavior of functionally graded cracked Timoshenko beams (FGCTBs) resting on Winkler foundation and subjected to moving load through shear locking free finite elements methodology. The through thickness material distribution is simulated by the exponential gradation law. The geometric discontinuity due to cracks is represented using the massless rotational spring approach. The shear locking phenomena is avoided by using the different interpolation functions orders for both deflections and rotations. Based on Timoshenko beam element, a shear locking free finite elements methodology is developed. The unconditionally stable Newmark procedure is employed to solve the forced vibration problem. Accuracy of the developed procedure is verified by comparing the obtained results with the available results and an excellent agreement is found. Parametric studies are conducted to explore effects of the geometrical, material characteristics, crack geometrical characteristics, the elastic foundation parameter, and the moving load speed on the dynamic behavior for different boundary conditions. Obtained results revealed the significant effect these parameters on the dynamic performance of FGCTBs.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.299-313
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• 2014

In the first part of this paper, the influences of some of crack parameters on natural frequencies of a cracked cantilever Functionally Graded Beam (FGB) are studied. A cantilever beam is modeled using Finite Element Method (FEM) and its natural frequencies are obtained for different conditions of cracks. Then effect of variation of depth and location of cracks on natural frequencies of FGB with single and multiple cracks are investigated. In the second part, two Multi-Layer Feed Forward (MLFF) Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) are designed for prediction of FGB's Cracks' location and depth. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Back-Error Propagation (BEP) algorithms are applied for training ANNs. The accuracy of two training methods' results are investigated.