• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.103-116
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• 2024

Based on the consistent couple stress theory (CCST), we develop a unified formulation for analyzing the static bending and free vibration behaviors of functionally graded (FG) microscale beams (MBs). The strong forms of the CCST-based Euler-Bernoulli, Timoshenko, and Reddy beam theories, as well as the CCST-based sinusoidal, exponential, and hyperbolic shear deformation beam theories, can be obtained by assigning some specific shape functions of the shear deformations varying through the thickness direction of the FGMBs in the unified formulation. The above theories are thus included as special cases of the unified CCST. A comparative study between the results obtained using a variety of CCST-based beam theories and those obtained using their modified couple stress theory-based counterparts is carried out. The impacts of some essential factors on the deformation, stress, and natural frequency parameters of the FGMBs are examined, including the material length-scale parameter, the aspect ratio, and the material-property gradient index.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.351-365
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• 2013

In this paper, unified nonlocal shear deformation theory is proposed to study bending, buckling and free vibration of nanobeams. This theory is based on the assumption that the in-plane and transverse displacements consist of bending and shear components in which the bending components do not contribute toward shear forces and, likewise, the shear components do not contribute toward bending moments. In addition, this present model is capable of capturing both small scale effect and transverse shear deformation effects of nanobeams, and does not require shear correction factors. The equations of motion are derived from Hamilton's principle. Analytical solutions for the deflection, buckling load, and natural frequency are presented for a simply supported nanobeam, and the obtained results are compared with those predicted by the nonlocal Timoshenko beam theory and Reddy beam theories.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.369-377
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• 2018

In this article, buckling and free vibration of functionally graded (FG) nanobeams resting on elastic foundation are investigated by developing various higher order beam theories which capture shear deformation influences through the thickness of the beam without the need for shear correction factors. The elastic foundation is modeled as linear Winkler springs as well as Pasternak shear layer. The material properties of FG nanobeam are supposed to change gradually along the thickness through the Mori-Tanaka model. The small scale effect is taken into consideration based on nonlocal elasticity theory of Eringen. From Hamilton's principle, the nonlocal governing equations of motion are derived and then solved applying analytical solution. To verify the validity of the developed theories, the results of the present work are compared with those available in literature. The effects of shear deformation, elastic foundation, gradient index, nonlocal parameter and slenderness ratio on the buckling and free vibration behavior of FG nanobeams are studied.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 1994

A unified theory has recently been developed for reinforced concrete structures (Hsu 1993), subjected to the four basic actions - bending, axial load, shear and torsion. The theory has five components, namely, the struts-and-ties model, the equilibrium (or plasticity) truss model, the Bernoulli compatibility truss model, the Mohr compatibility truss model and the softened truss model. Because the last three models can satisfy the stress equilibrium, the strain compatibility and the constitutive laws of materials, they can predict not only the strength, but also the load-deformation history of a member. In this paper the five models are summarized to illustrate their intrinsic consistency.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.6 no.7
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• pp.727-746
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• 1998

Finite element models and numerical results are presented for bending and natural vibration using the unified third-order plate theory developed in Part 1 of this paper. The unified third-order theory contains the classical, first-order, and other third-order plate theories as special cases. Analytical solutions are developed using the Navier and L$\acute{e}$vy solution procedures (see Part 1 of the paper). Displacement finite element models of the unified third-order theory are developed herein. The finite element models are based on $C^0$ interpolation of the inplane displacements and rotation functions and $C^1$ interpolation of the transverse deflection. Numerical results of bending and natural vibration are presented to evaluate the accuracy of various plate theories.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.25-43
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• 2024

In this article, a mathematical model is developed to predict the dynamic behavior of bio-inspired composite beam with helicoidal orientation scheme under variable axial load using a unified higher order shear deformation beam theory. The geometrical kinematic relations of displacements are portrayed with higher parabolic shear deformation beam theory. Constitutive equation of composite beam is proposed based on plane stress problem. The variable axial load is distributed through the axial direction by constant, linear, and parabolic functions. The equations of motion and associated boundary conditions are derived in detail by Hamilton's principle. Using the differential quadrature method (DQM), the governing equations, which are integro-differential equations are discretized in spatial direction, then they are transformed into linear eigenvalue problems. The proposed model is verified with previous works available in literatures. Parametric analyses are developed to present the influence of axial load type, orthotropic ratio, slenderness ratio, lamination scheme, and boundary conditions on the natural frequencies of composite beam structures. The present enhanced model can be used especially in designing spacecrafts, naval, automotive, helicopter, the wind turbine, musical instruments, and civil structures subjected to the variable axial loads.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.583-612
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• 1998

A unified third-order laminate plate theory that contains classical, first-order and third-order theories as special cases is presented. Analytical solutions using the Navier and L$\acute{e}$vy solution procedures are presented. The Navier solutions are limited to simply supported rectangular plates while the L$\acute{e}$vy solutions are restricted to rectangular plates with two parallel edges simply supported and other two edges having arbitrary combination of simply supported, clamped, and free boundary conditions. Numerical results of bending and vibration for a number of problems are discussed in the second part of the paper.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.475-502
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• 2016

Nanobeams are widely used as a structural element for nanodevices and nanomachines. The development of nano-sized machines depends on proper understanding of mechanical behavior of these nano-sized beam elements. Small length scales such as lattice spacing between atoms, surface properties, grain size etc. are need to be considered when applying any classical continuum model. In this study, Eringen's nonlocal elasticity theory is incorporated into classical beam model considering the effects of axial extension and the shear deformation to capture unique static behavior of the nanobeams under continuum mechanics theory. The governing differential equations are obtained for curved beams and solved exactly by using the initial value method. Circular uniform beam with concentrated loads are considered. The displacements, slopes and the stress resultants are obtained analytically. A detailed parametric study is conducted to examine the effect of the nonlocal parameter, mechanical loadings, opening angle, boundary conditions, and slenderness ratio on the static behavior of the nanobeam.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.163-180
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• 2019

A semi analytical method is employed to analyze free vibration characteristics of uniform and stepped functionally graded circular cylindrical shells under complex boundary conditions. The analytical model is established based on multi-segment partitioning strategy and first-order shear deformation theory. The displacement functions are handled by unified Jacobi polynomials and Fourier series. In order to obtain continuous conditions and satisfy complex boundary conditions, the penalty method about spring technique is adopted. The solutions about free vibration behavior of functionally graded circular cylindrical shells were obtained by approach of Rayleigh-Ritz. To confirm the dependability and validity of present approach, numerical verifications and convergence studies are conducted on functionally graded cylindrical shells under various influencing factors such as boundaries, spring parameters et al. The present method apparently has rapid convergence ability and excellent stability, and the results of the paper are closely agreed with those obtained by FEM and published literatures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.573-585
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• 2018

This article presents strain gradient elasticity-based procedures for static bending, free vibration and buckling analyses of functionally graded rectangular micro-plates. The developed method allows consideration of smooth spatial variations of length scale parameters of strain gradient elasticity. Governing partial differential equations and boundary conditions are derived by following the variational approach and applying Hamilton's principle. Displacement field is expressed in a unified way to produce numerical results in accordance with Kirchhoff, Mindlin, and third order shear deformation theories. All material properties, including the length scale parameters, are assumed to be functions of the plate thickness coordinate in the derivations. Developed equations are solved numerically by means of differential quadrature method. Proposed procedures are verified through comparisons made to the results available in the literature for certain limiting cases. Further numerical results are provided to illustrate the effects of material and geometric parameters on bending, free vibrations, and buckling. The results generated by Kirchhoff and third order shear deformation theories are in very good agreement, whereas Mindlin plate theory slightly overestimates static deflection and underestimates natural frequency. A rise in the length scale parameter ratio, which identifies the degree of spatial variations, leads to a drop in dimensionless maximum deflection, and increases in dimensionless vibration frequency and buckling load. Size effect is shown to play a more significant role as the plate thickness becomes smaller compared to the length scale parameter. Numerical results indicate that consideration of length scale parameter variation is required for accurate modelling of graded rectangular micro-plates.