Vibration response of stepped FGM beams with elastically end constraints using differential transformation method

In this paper, free vibration response of stepped beams made from functionally graded materials (FGMs) is investigated. The beams are supported by various types of elastically end constraints. The differential transformation method (DTM) is employed to solve the governing differential equations of such beams in order to obtain natural frequencies and mode shapes. The power law distribution is used and modified to describe material compositions across the thickness of the beams made of FGMs. Two main types of the stepped FGM beams in which their material compositions can be described by using the modified power law distribution are selected to investigate their vibration behaviour. The significant parametric studies such as step ratio, step location, boundary conditions, spring constants and material volume fraction are taken into investigation. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.