This paper deals with free vibrations of the axially functionally graded (AFG) horseshoe arch. The modulus of elasticity and the mass density of AFG material of arch are chosen as a univariate quadratic function. The differential equations with the boundary conditions that govern the free vibration of such arch are derived and numerically solved to calculate natural frequencies and mode shapes. Natural frequencies of this study agree well with those of the finite element ADINA. Parametric studies of the geometrical and mechanical properties of the arch on frequencies and mode shapes are performed and extensively discussed.

In this paper, free vibrations of the tapered shear deformable column are studied. The column is clamped at the bottom and is free or hinged or clamped at the top. The column has a tapered cross-section, square and circular, under the condition of constant volume. The axial compressive load is acted to the top. The differential equations of such column were derived, in which the effects of the rotary inertia and shear deformation were included. For computing natural frequencies with mode shapes, the differential equations were solved numerically. The effects of column parameters of the frequencies and mode shapes were performed, and its results were extensively discussed.

This paper deals with buckling lengths of the heavy column with various end conditions, where both top and bottom ends are either free or hinged or clamped. Based on equilibrium equations of the buckled column element, the differential equation governing the buckled mode shape is derived. For solving the buckling length, the differential equation is integrated by the direct integration method and the buckling length is calculated by the determinant search method. The buckling lengths of this study agree well with those of references. The buckling lengths with various end conditions, buckled mode shapes and buckling stresses are presented.

This paper deals with the elastica and buckling loads of the nonlinear elastic tapered cantilever columns subjected to an axial load at the free end. The column cross section is rectangular, where the width and depth vary linearly with the column axis. The column material is nonlinear elastic, which obeys the Ludwick’s constitutive law. The ordinary differential equations governing the elastica of buckled column are derived and solved numerically for computing the elastica and buckling loads. Parametric studies for the annealed copper, N.P. 8 aluminum alloy and steel columns are conducted