Free vibration and stability of tapered Euler-Bernoulli beams made of axially functionally graded materials

The free vibration and stability of axially functionally graded tapered Euler-Bernoulli beams are studied through solving the governing differential equations of motion. Observing the fact that the conventional differential transform method (DTM) does not necessarily converge to satisfactory results, a new approach based on DTM called differential transform element method (DIEM) is introduced which considerably improves the convergence rate of the method. In addition to DTEM, differential quadrature element method of lowest-order (DQEL) is used to solve the governing differential equation, as well. Carrying out several numerical examples, the competency of DQEL and DTEM in determination of free longitudinal and free transverse frequencies and critical buckling load of tapered Euler-Bernoulli beams made of axially functionally graded materials is verified. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.