Static, stability and dynamic characteristics of asymmetric bi-directional functionally graded sandwich tapered elastic arches in thermo-mechanical environments

Abstract

This research paper investigates the in-plane static, stability and dynamic characteristics of tapered Timoshenko bi-directional functionally graded (BDFG) sandwich curved elastic arches (symmetric and asymmetric) in thermo-mechanical environments using the differential quadrature element method (DQEM). Physical properties such as Young's modulus, the mass density, Poisson's ratio and the thermal expansion coefficient are defined to vary both with respect to temperature and position while shear deformation, axial deformation, and rotary inertia effects are incorporated in the analysis. Different types of arches namely circular, parabolic, catenary, elliptic and sinusoidal models are modelled by having non-uniform cross-section and the BDFG properties. General functions are used to vary the physical properties through the thickness and length of the curved. Incorporating the influence of having a thermal environment for simplified models, the current methodology for studying such structures is verified by comparing the results with previously published literature and finite element software simulations. The effect of the temperature rise, physical properties variation and geometrical parameters (such as the ratio of thickness to length, the opening angle and non-uniform cross-section) on the static deformation, buckling load and free vibration characteristics of BDFG arches with metal/ceramics in the inner surface and ceramics/metal in the outer surface of the arch is investigated. In addition, the mechanical behaviour of sandwich arches for various combinations such as homogeneous or FG for outer skins and the inner core is presented under thermo-mechanical loadings.