Free Vibration of Axially Functionally Graded Timoshenko Circular Arch

Functionally graded materials are innovative composites of hybrid ceramics and metals that exhibit excellent mechanical performance in harsh temperature environments and under various external loads. In this study, the free vibrations of Timoshenko circular arches, made of functionally graded materials in the axial direction, are investigated. The material properties of Young's modulus and mass density of the arch vary according to a symmetric quadratic function along the arch axis. Differential equations governing the free vibration of the arch including the rotatory inertia and shear deformation, called the Timoshenko arch, are derived. A novel numerical solution method is developed to calculate the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the arch. Parametric studies of the modular ratio, shear correction factor, shear modulus ratio, and slenderness ratio on the natural frequencies are conducted, and the results are reported in the tables and figures.