Thermal buckling analysis of functionally graded material beams

Buckling of beams made of functionally graded material under various types of thermal loading is considered. The derivation of equations is based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory. It is assumed that the mechanical and thermal nonhomogeneous properties of beam vary smoothly by distribution of power law across the thickness of beam. Using the nonlinear strain–displacement relations, equilibrium equations and stability equations of beam are derived. The beam is assumed under three types of thermal loading, namely; uniform temperature rise, nonlinear, and linear temperature distribution through the thickness. Various types of boundary conditions are assumed for the beam with combination of roller, clamped and simply-supported edges. In each case of boundary conditions and loading, a closed form solution for the critical buckling temperature for the beam is presented. The formulations are compared using reduction of results for the functionally graded beams to those of isotropic homogeneous beams given in the literature.