Computational hygro-thermal vibration and buckling analysis of functionally graded sandwich microbeams

In this study, for the first time, hygro-thermal behaviour of functionally graded (FG) sandwich microbeams based on nonlocal elasticity theory is investigated. Temperature-dependent material properties are considered for the FG microbeam, which are assumed to change continuously through the thickness based on the power-law form. The equations of motion are obtained on the basis of first-order shear deformation beam theory via Hamilton's principle. The size effects are considered in the framework of the nonlocal elasticity theory of Eringen. The detailed variational and finite element procedure for FG sandwich microbeams are presented with a five-noded beam element and numerical examinations are performed. The influence of several parameters such as temperature and moisture gradients, material graduation, nonlocal parameter, face-core-face and span to depth ratios on the critical buckling temperature and the nondimensional fundamental frequencies of the FG sandwich microbeams are analysed. Based on the results of this study, temperature and moisture rise soften the FG sandwich microbeam and result in the reduction of the critical buckling load and vibration frequency. In addition, the FG sandwich microbeam with a thicker ceramic core can resist higher temperature and moisture gradients.