Free vibration analysis of edge cracked symmetric functionally graded sandwich beams

In this study, free vibration analysis of an edge cracked multilayered symmetric sandwich beams made of functionally graded materials are investigated. Modelling of the cracked structure is based on the linear elastic fracture mechanics theory. Material properties of the functionally graded beams change in the thickness direction according to the power and exponential laws. To represent functionally graded symmetric sandwich beams more realistic, fifty layered beam is considered. Composition of each layer is different although each layer is isotropic and homogeneous. The considered problem is carried out within the Timoshenko first order shear deformation beam theory by using finite element method. A MATLAB code developed to calculate natural frequencies for clamped and simply supported conditions. The obtained results are compared with published studies and excellent agreement is observed. In the study, the effects of crack location, depth of the crack, power law index and slenderness ratio on the natural frequencies are investigated.