Free vibration analysis of FGM stepped nanostructures using nonlocal dynamic stiffness model

A nonlocal Dynamic Stiffness Model (DSM) for free vibration analysis of Functionally Graded Material (FGM) stepped nanostructures based on the Nonlocal Elastic Theory (NET) is proposed. An exact solution to the equation of motion of a nanobeam element according to the Timoshenko beam theory, NET, and taking into account position of the neutral axis is constructed. Nondimensional frequencies and mode shapes of complete FGM stepped nanostructures are easily obtained using the nonlocal DSM. Numerical results are presented to show significance of the material distribution profile, nonlocal effect, and boundary conditions on free vibration of nanostructures.