Finite element analysis of functionally graded bar under torsional load

Abstract

The development of new products with robust design requirements and specific functional attributes arises the need for tailored-made materials like Functional Graded Materials (FGM). These materials show different properties with the change in dimensions corresponding to species composition. Industries dealing in automobile, space, and structural components are continuously trying to adopt new materials for their specific functional requirement to enhance the performance and efficiency of their system. In the present work, the shear stresses developed on FGM bars are analyzed by pure torsional loading for a different cross-section of varying thicknesses. Here, circular, square, and triangular cross-section of FGM bars is modeled for Nickel and Aluminum oxide. The modeling of material is made up of four layers. The innermost layer comprises pure metal whereas the outermost layer consists of only ceramic. The intermediate two layers contain metals and ceramics in varying compositions. Initially, the analysis is done to see the effect of the torsional load on bars with the same thickness of the individual constituents. Finite Element Methods (FEM) based ANSYS software has been used for the numerical analysis of the problem as it is one of the most convenient tools to capture the variation in geometry and composition of the material. Computational analysis has been performed to analyses the development of shear stress in FGM bars of different cross sections. It is observed that in all case the developed shear stress is more in triangular cross-section with respect to other and the shear stress bearing capability of the FGM bars shows remarkable increase with the influence of thickness of the intermediate layer of metal-ceramic.