• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.695-713
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• 2008

The aim of this contribution is to present a new link/beam finite element suitable for electrothermo-structural analysis of uni-axially graded materials. Continuous polynomial variation of geometry and material properties will be considered. The element matrix and relations for solution of Joule's heat (and its distribution to the element nodes) have been established in the sense of a sequence method of a coupled problem solution. The expression for the solution of nodal forces caused by a continuously distributed temperature field has also been derived. The theoretical part of this contribution is completed by numerical validation, which proves the high accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed element. The results of the performed experiments are compared with those obtained using the more expensive multiphysical link element and solid element of the FEM program Ansys. The proposed finite element could be used not only in the multiphysical analysis of the current paths and actuators but also in analysis of other 1D construction parts made of composite or uni-axially graded materials.