Static and Free Vibration Analyses of Functionally Graded Plane Structures

Abstract

In recent years, the use of functionally graded materials has been the focus of several studies due to their intrinsic ability to be tailored according to the requirements of structures while minimising abrupt stress transitions commonly found in laminated composites. In most studies, the materials’ mixture gradient is established through a structural component, i.e., thickness, which is known to visibly enhance structural behaviour. However, depending on the type of structure, it is important to exploit the possibility of building a structure using other gradient directions. The innovative characteristic of this work, which aims to study plane truss and frame-type structures made of functionally graded materials, lies in the specificity that the materials’ mixture gradient occurs as a function of a geometric structure feature, i.e., for example, the structure height, rather than the more usual approach, as a component dependence, i.e., through a member thickness or even along its length. The performance of the present model is illustrated through a set of case studies, and where possible, the results achieved are compared with more traditional solutions.