Static behaviour of Functionally Graded Material beam using Finite Element Method

Abstract

This paper presents a static analysis of beams made of Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) by using Finite Element Method (FEM). The behavior of FGM beam under mechanical and thermal load is studied within the experience of Timoshenko beam theory. The material properties are assumed to be temperature-independent, and are graded in the thickness direction according to a simple power law distribution of the volume fractions of the constituents. The Deflection and stress are obtained for functionally graded (FG) beams with various boundary conditions (Cantilever, and Simply supported) and is subjected uniformly distributed load and thermal load. Numerical results are obtained by ANSYS software to show the influences of the grading materials from ceramic to metal, boundary conditions, volume fraction distribution (the index of power law, k), the geometrical parameters and also thermal environment.