Mechanics and energy absorption of a functionally graded cylinder subjected to axial loading

Mechanics of a functionally graded cylinder subject to static or dynamic axial loading is considered including a potential application as energy absorber. The grading in the radial direction is such that the mass density and stiffness are power functions of the radial coordinate as may be the case with variable-density open-cell or closed-cell foams. Exact solutions are obtained in the static problem and in the case where the applied load is a periodic function of time. The absorption of energy is analyzed in the static problem that is reduced to an easily implementable nondimensional formulation. It is demonstrated that by grading the material in the radial direction it is possible to achieve higher energy absorption while at the same time saving weight.