Abstract
The dynamic response of non-uniform functionally graded beams subjected to a variable speed moving point load is studied by using the finite element method. The material properties of the beams are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction by a power law. A beam element, taking the effects of shear deformation, cross-sectional variation and the shift in the neutral axis position, is formulated by using exact polynomials obtained from solutions of the governing differential equations of a homogeneous Timoshenko beam element. The dynamic responses of the beams are computed by using the implicit Newmark method. The numerical results show that the dynamic characteristics of the beams, including the maximum mid-span deflection, mid-span axial stress distribution are greatly influenced by the acceleration and deceleration of the moving load. The effects of the moving speed, material non-homogeneity, cross-section variation as well as aspect ratio on the dynamic response of the beams are investigated in detail and highlighted.
