Thermoelastic analysis of a functionally graded simple blade using first-order shear deformation theory

In this paper, thermo-elastic behavior of a functionally graded simple blade subjected to the mechanical and thermal loadings is presented using a semi-analytical method and a variable thickness cantilever beam model. A specific temperature gradient is applied between the root and the edges of the beam. It is assumed that the mechanical and thermal properties are longitudinal direction dependent based on volume percent of reinforcement. The approach is composed of several steps including adoption of first-order shear deformation theory, applying beam division along the longitudinal direction, imposing global boundary conditions and considering the continuity conditions. As a result, longitudinal and transverse displacements, and consequently longitudinal, shear and effective stresses are obtained. The analysis is performed for three different distributions of reinforcement particles and pure matrix. Minimum effective and shear stresses distribution belongs to the blade with 0% reinforcement at root and 40% reinforcement at tip surface. It has also been found that use of reinforcement particles have reasonable effect on the longitudinal and transverse deflections.