On the modal behavior of a three-dimensional functionally graded cantilever beam: Poisson’s ratio and material sampling effects

Modal behavior of a three-dimensional (3D) homogeneous and functionally graded (FG) cantilever beam is studied using the Rayleigh–Ritz (RR) method and the finite element method (FEM). The effect of Poisson’s ratio and material sampling point on the natural frequencies is further addressed using the FEM. The natural frequencies (first three) obtained using the RR method converge as the number of admissible shape functions increase. The natural frequencies (first 15) obtained using the FEM vary considerably with the material gradation, more so for the lower modes than for the higher modes. Poisson’s ratio significantly changes the torsional natural frequencies of the homogeneous and graded beams. Considerable change in the natural frequencies is seen for the linear graded beams whose material properties are sampled at the element centroid rather than at Gaussian integration points. This difference is easily observed for beams modeled using a coarse mesh rather than a fine mesh. The natural frequencies of the y direction hyperbolic tangent beam with material nonhomogeneity parameter β=100β=100 matches well with those of the y direction bi-material beam. The natural frequencies of the power-law graded 3D cantilever beam obtained using the FEM matches closely with the 2D reference (Qian and Ching, 2004 [1]) solution obtained using the meshless local Petrov–Galerkin method.