Large deflection analysis of functionally graded beams based on geometrically exact three-dimensional beam theory and isogeometric analysis

The main aim of this study is to develop a numerical model based on Isogeometric Analysis to investigate the large deflection response of curved functionally graded beams. In this regard, an exact three-dimensional beam theory is employed to model the spatial behavior of the beams. The beam theory has been considered as an up-to-date one, which effectively fulfills the requirements large deflection representation, objectively, and geometrical exactness. The C 1 -continuity requirement of interpolation functions to develop the beam elements is treated naturally and efficiently by adopting the Isogeometric Analysis approach. To validate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed approach, five standard benchmark test cases are conducted. In additions, various numerical examples are presented to study the influence of material variations on the behavior of curved functionally graded beam under different loading conditions. • Isogeometric 3D geometrically-exact Kirchhoff beam elements are developed • Span-wise and sectional distributions of FGM are considered. • Spatial behavior of FGM beams with different initially-curved geometries are studied • Effects of material variations on the responses of curved beams are investigated..