Analysis of Mechanical Behavior for FGM Beams Under Thermal Loading

This paper delves deeply into the nonlinear bending and post-buckling phenomena of functionally graded material (FGM) beams under the influence of thermal loads. Within our study, we assume that the properties of FGM exhibit a continuous and uniform change across its structural thickness, correlating with the volume fraction of the material components based on a specific power law relationship. By integrating the first-order shear deformation beam theory with the physical neutral surface concept, we successfully derived the governing equations for these FGM beams under thermal loads. Utilizing the shooting method, we conducted an exhaustive numerical analysis on these control equations. Our research reveals that, whether under uniform or non-uniform in-plane temperature loads, FGM beams clamped at both ends demonstrate pronounced nonlinear thermal post-buckling behavior. In contrast, beams with simple supports on both ends predominantly exhibit nonlinear thermal bending characteristics. Furthermore, such nonlinear responses hold significant implications for the design and application of these materials.