Abstract
Exact solutions are presented to study the free vibration of a beam made of symmetric functionally graded materials. The formulation used is based on a unified higher order shear deformation theory. Material properties are taken to be temperature-dependent, and vary continuously through the thickness according to a power law distribution (P-FGM), or an exponential law distribution (E-FGM) or a sigmoid law distribution (S-FGM). The beam is assumed to be initially stressed by a temperature rise through the thickness. Temperature field is considered constant in
xy plane of the beam. Hamilton’s principle is used to derive the governing equations of motion. Free vibration frequencies are obtained by solving analytically a system of ordinary differential equations, for different boundary conditions.