Functionally graded material (FGM) typically consists of two constituent materials combined together with a particular distribution. A non-linear flexural stress analysis of through-thickness functionally graded uniform slender beam, subjected to a uniformly distributed load, is studied using the versatile finite element method based on Euler-Bernoulli beam hypothesis. The von-Ka´rma´n strain-displacement relations are used to account for geometric non-linearity. Simply supported and clamped FGM beams with axially immovable ends are considered. Governing non-linear equations are obtained using the principle of virtual work. Numerical results are provided to show the effect of boundary conditions and volume fraction exponent on the non-linear structural behaviour, in terms of the strains and stresses, of the FGM beams, for the first time. A shift in the neutral axis, from the mid-thickness of the beam, is observed due to the large transverse deflections, for the homogenous as well as the FGM beams. The through thickness variation of the axial stress is observed to be non-linear for the FGM beams contrary to that of the homogenous beams, for which the axial stress variation is linear. The through thickness sudden change in the material properties, governed by higher values of volume fraction exponent, results in a steep gradient in the axial stress variation through the thickness of the FGM beam.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.