• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.5
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• pp.593-605
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• 2023

This work presents a comparison between analytical and finite element analysis for bending of porous sandwich functionally graded material (FGM) plates. The plate is rectangular and simply supported under static sinusoidal loading. Material properties of FGM are assumed to vary continuously across the face sheets thickness according to a power-law function in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents while the core is homogeneous. Four types of porosity are considered. A refined higher-order shear with normal deformation theory is used. The number of unknowns in this theory is five, as against six or more in other shear and normal deformation theories. This theory assumes the nonlinear variation of transverse shear stresses and satisfies its nullity in the top and bottom surfaces of the plate without the use of a shear correction factor. The governing equations of equilibrium are derived from the virtual work principle. The Navier approach is used to solve equilibrium equations. The constitutive law of the porous FGM sandwich plate is implemented for a 3D finite element through a subroutine in FORTRAN (UMAT) in Abaqus software. Results show good agreement between the finite element model and the analytical method for some results, but the analytical method keeps giving symmetric results even with the thickness stretching effect and load applied to the top surface of the sandwich.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.503-517
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• 2022

This paper presents the mechanical buckling of bi-directional functionally graded sandwich beams (BFGSW) with various boundary conditions employing a quasi-3D beam theory, including an integral term in the displacement field, which reduces the number of unknowns and governing equations. The beams are composed of three layers. The core is made from two constituents and varies across the thickness; however, the covering layers of the beams are made of bidirectional functionally graded material (BFGSW) and vary smoothly along the beam length and thickness directions. The power gradation model is considered to estimate the variation of material properties. The used formulation reflects the transverse shear effect and uses only three variables without including the correction factor used in the first shear deformation theory (FSDT) proposed by Timoshenko. The principle of virtual forces is used to obtain stability equations. Moreover, the impacts of the control of the power-law index, layer thickness ratio, length-to-depth ratio, and boundary conditions on buckling response are demonstrated. Our contribution in the present work is applying an analytical solution to investigate the stability behavior of bidirectional FG sandwich beams under various boundary conditions.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.185-193
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• 2020

Nonlinear vibration of sandwich plate with functionally graded material (FGM) core and carbon nano tubes reinforced (CNTs) nano-composite layers by considering temperature-dependent material properties are studied in this paper. Base on Classical plate theory (CPT), the governing partial differential equations of motion for sandwich plate are derived using Hamilton principle. The Galerkin procedure and multiple scales perturbation method are used to find relation between nonlinear frequency and amplitude of vibration response. The dynamic responses of the sandwich plate are also investigated in both time and frequency domains. Then, the effects of nonlinearity, excitation, power law index of FG core, volume fraction of carbon nanotube, the function of material variations of FG core, temperature changes, scale transformation parameter and damping factor on the frequency responses are investigated.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.361-380
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• 2023

A size dependent bending behavior of piezoelectrical flexoelectric layered perforated functionally graded (FG) composite nanobeam rested on an elastic foundation is investigated analytically. The composite beam is composed of regularly cutout FG core and two piezoelectric face sheets. The material characteristics is graded through the core thickness by power law function. Regular squared cutout perforation pattern is considered and closed forms of the equivalent stiffness parameters are derived. The modified nonlocal strain gradient elasticity theory is employed to incorporate the microstructure as well as nonlocality effects into governing equations. The Winkler as well as the Pasternak elastic foundation models are employed to simulate the substrate medium. The Hamiltonian approach is adopted to derive the governing equilibrium equation including piezoelectric and flexoelectric effects. Analytical solution methodology is developed to derive closed forms for the size dependent electromechanical as well as mechanical bending profiles. The model is verified by comparing the obtained results with the available corresponding results in the literature. To demonstrate the applicability of the developed procedure, parametric studies are performed to explore influences of gradation index, elastic medium parameters, flexoelectric and piezoelectric parameters, geometrical and peroration parameters, and material parameters on the size dependent bending behavior of piezoelectrically layered PFG nanobeams. Results obtained revealed the significant effects both the flexoelectric and piezoelectric parameters on the bending behavior of the piezoelectric composite nanobeams. These parameters could be controlled to improve the size dependent electromechanical as well as mechanical behaviors. The obtained results and the developed procedure are helpful for design and manufacturing of MEMS and NEMS.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.449-474
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• 2010

A smart hollow cylinder consisting of a host functionally graded elastic core layer and two surface homogeneous piezoelectric layers is presented in this paper. The bonding between the layers can be perfect or imperfect, depending on the parameters taken in the general linear spring-layer interface model. The effect of such weak interfaces on free vibration and steady-state response is then investigated. Piezoelectric layers at inner and outer surfaces are polarized axially or radially and act as a sensor and an actuator respectively. For a simply supported condition, the state equations with non-constant coefficients are obtained directly from the formulations of elasticity/piezoelasticity. An approximate laminated model is then introduced for the sake of solving the state equations conveniently. It is further assumed that the hollow cylinder is embedded in an elastic medium and is simultaneously filled with compressible fluid. The interaction between the structure and its surrounding media is taken into account. Numerical examples are finally given with discussions on the effect of some related parameters.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.291-305
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• 2016

In this paper, a refined shear deformation plate theory which eliminates the use of a shear correction factor was presented for FG sandwich plates composed of FG face sheets and an isotropic homogeneous core. The theory accounts for parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains and satisfies the zero traction boundary conditions on the surfaces of the plate. The mechanical properties of the plate are assumed to vary continuously in the thickness direction by a simple power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. Based on the present refined shear deformation plate theory, the governing equations of equilibrium are derived from the principle of virtual displacements. Numerical illustrations concern buckling behavior of FG sandwiches plates with Metal-Ceramic composition. Parametric studies are performed for varying ceramic volume fraction, volume fraction profiles, Boundary condition, and length to thickness ratios. The accuracy of the present solutions is verified by comparing the obtained results with the existing solutions.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.239-263
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• 2016

The paper studies the natural oscillation of the three-layered solid sphere with a middle layer made of Functionally Graded Material (FGM). It is assumed that the materials of the core and outer layer of the sphere are homogeneous and isotropic elastic. The three-dimensional exact equations and relations of linear elastodynamics are employed for the investigations. The discrete-analytical method proposed by the first author in his earlier works is applied for solution of the corresponding eigenvalue problem. It is assumed that the modulus of elasticity, Poisson's ratio and density of the middle-layer material vary continuously through the inward radial direction according to power law distribution. Numerical results on the natural frequencies related to the torsional and spheroidal oscillation modes are presented and discussed. In particular, it is established that the increase of the modulus of elasticity (mass density) in the inward radial direction causes an increase (a decrease) in the values of the natural frequencies.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.68 no.6
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• pp.721-733
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• 2018

The modal frequency responses of functionally graded (FG) sandwich doubly curved shell panels are investigated using a higher-order finite element formulation. The system of equations of the panel structure derived using Hamilton's principle for the evaluation of natural frequencies. The present shell panel model is discretised using the isoparametric Lagrangian element (nine nodes and nine degrees of freedom per node). An in-house MATLAB code is prepared using higher-order kinematics in association with the finite element scheme for the calculation of modal values. The stability of the opted numerical vibration frequency solutions for the various shell geometries i.e., single and doubly curved FG sandwich structure are proven via the convergence test. Further, close conformance of the finite element frequency solutions for the FG sandwich structures is found when compared with the published theoretical predictions (numerical, analytical and 3D elasticity solutions). Subsequently, appropriate numerical examples are solved pertaining to various design factors (curvature ratio, core-face thickness ratio, aspect ratio, support conditions, power-law index and sandwich symmetry type) those have the significant influence on the free vibration modal data of the FG sandwich curved structure.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.457-469
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• 2019

In this paper, a numerical solution is presented for supersonic flutter analysis of cantilever non-symmetric functionally graded (FG) sandwich plates. The plate is considered to be composed of two different functionally graded face sheets and an isotropic homogeneous core made of ceramic. Based on the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and linear piston theory, the set of governing equations and boundary conditions are derived. Dimensionless form of the governing equations and boundary conditions are derived and solved numerically using generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) and critical velocity and flutter frequencies are calculated. For various values of the yaw angle, effect of different parameters like aspect ratio, thickness of the plate, power law indices and thickness of the core on the flutter boundaries are investigated. Numerical examples show that wings and tail fins with larger length and shorter width are more stable in supersonic flights. It is concluded for FG sandwich plates made of Al-Al₂O₃ that increase in volume fraction of ceramic (Al₂O₃) increases aeroelastic stability of the plate. Presented study confirms that improvement of aeroelastic behavior and weight of wings and tail fins of aircrafts are not consistent items. It is shown that value of the critical yaw angle depends on aspect ratio of the plate and other parameters including thickness and variation of properties have no considerable effect on it. Results of this paper can be used in design and analysis of wing and tail fin of supersonic airplanes.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2023

The use of functionally graded materials in applications involving severe thermal gradients is quickly gaining acceptance in the composite mechanics community, the aerospace and aircraft industry. In the present study, a refined sandwich plate model is applied to study the free vibration analysis of porous functionally graded material (FGM) sandwich plates with various distribution rate of porosity. Two types of common FG sandwich plates are considered. The first sandwich plate is composed of two FG material (FGM) face sheets and a homogeneous ceramic or metal core. The second one consists of two homogeneous fully metal and ceramic face sheets at the top and bottom, respectively, and a FGM core. The displacement field of the present theory is chosen based on nonlinear variations in the in-plane displacements through the thickness of the sandwich plate. The number of unknowns and equations of motion of the present theory is reduced and hence makes them simple to use. In the analysis, the equation of motion for simply supported sandwich plates is obtained using Hamilton's principle. In order to present the effect of the variation of the porosity distribution on the dynamic behavior of the FGM sandwich plates, new mixtures are proposed which take into account different rate of porosity distribution between the ceramic and the metal. The present method is applicable to study the dynamic behavior of FGM plates and sandwich plates. The frequencies of two kinds of FGM sandwich structures are analyzed and discussed. Several numerical results have been compared with the ones available in the literature.