Geometrically Nonlinear Behaviour of Functionally Graded Beam and Frame Structures Under Mechanical Loading

Abstract

Geometrically nonlinear behavior of functionally graded (FG) beam and frame structures under mechanical loading is studied in this paper using the finite element method. The structures are made of a mixture of ceramic and metal with material properties varying in the thickness direction by a power distribution law. Based on the first-order shear deformation theory, a nonlinear beam element is derived and used in conjunction with Newton-Raphson method to compute deflected curves of the beams. Numerical investigations are carried out in detail to highlight the influence of the material distribution on the nonlinear behavior of the beams.