Exact solutions for coupled responses of thin-walled FG sandwich beams with non-symmetric cross-sections

In this study, the exact solutions for coupled responses of thin-walled FG (functionally graded) sandwich beams with non-symmetric cross-sections are derived. Material properties of beam are assumed to be graded through the wall thickness of flanges and web. Three types of material distributions are considered. The Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and the Vlasov one are employed for bending and torsional problems, respectively. The explicit expressions for displacement parameters are derived from equilibrium equations based on the displacement state vector consisting of 14 displacement parameters. The exact member stiffness matrix is determined using the force-displacement relations. As a special case, the analytical solutions for decoupled flexural response of FG sandwich beams with various boundary conditions are presented. To demonstrate the accuracy and validity of this study, numerical solutions are presented and compared with results from the finite element method and other available results.