LAUSR

ABSTRACT In this research, vibration characteristics of axially functionally graded nanobeams resting on variable elastic foundation are investigated based on nonlocal strain gradient theory. This nonclassical nanobeam model contains a length scale parameter to explore the influence of strain gradients and also a nonlocal parameter to study the long-range interactions between the particles. The present model can degenerate into the classical models if the material length scale parameter and the nonlocal stress field parameter are both taken to be zero. Elastic foundation consists of two layers: a Winkler layer with variable stiffness and a Pasternak layer with constant stiffness. Linear, parabolic and sinusoidal variations of Winkler foundation in longitudinal direction are considered. Material properties are graded axially via a power-law distribution scheme. Hamilton's principle is employed to derive the governing equations that are solved applying a Galerkin-based solution for different boundary edges. Comparison study is also performed to verify the present formulation with those of previous papers. Results are presented to investigate the influences of the nonlocal and length scale parameters, various material compositions, elastic foundation parameters, type of foundation and various boundary conditions on the vibration frequencies of AFG nanobeams in detail.