Dynamic response of non-uniform Timoshenko beams made of axially FGM subjected to multiple moving point loads

This paper presents a finite element procedure for dynamic analysis of non-uniform Timoshenko beams made of axially Functionally Graded Material (FGM) under multiple moving point loads. The material properties are assumed to vary continuously in the longitudinal direction according to a predefined power law equation. A beam element, taking the effects of shear deformation and cross-sectional variation into account, is formulated by using exact polynomials derived from the governing differential equations of a uniform homogenous 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 are greatly influenced by the number of moving point loads. The effects of the distance between the loads, material non-homogeneity, section profiles as well as aspect ratio on the dynamic responses of the beams are also investigated in detail and highlighted.