Vibration and damping behaviors of symmetric layered functional graded sandwich beams

In this study, free vibration and damping behaviors of multilayered symmetric sandwich beams and single layered beams made of Functionally Graded Materials were investigated, experimentally and numerically. The beams were composed of Aluminum and Silicon Carbide powders and they were produced by powder metallurgy. Three beam models were used in the experiments. The first model was isotropic, homogeneous beams produced by using different mixing ratios. In the second model, the pure metal layers were taken in the middle of the beam and the weight fraction of the ceramic powder of each layer was increased towards to the surfaces of the beam in the thickness direction. In the third model, the pure metal layers were taken in the surfaces of the beam and the weight fraction of the ceramic powder of each layer was increased towards to middle of the beam. Then the vibration tests were performed. Consequently, the effects of stacking sequence and mixing ratio on the natural frequencies and damping responses of functionally graded beams were discussed from the results obtained. Furthermore, the results obtained from the tests were supported with a finite-element-based commercial program, and it was found to be in harmony.