The dynamic stiffness matrix (DSM) method, an analytical method that provides exact solutions, has been used for the first time for the free vibration analysis of a functionally graded (FG) rotor bearing system subjected to temperature gradients and to investigate its application to FG rotors. The material gradation occurs based on the power law between the inner metal core and the outer ceramic rich layer of the FG rotor. The temperature gradation follows the Fourier law of heat conduction which leads to non-linear temperature distribution (NLTD) in the radial direction of the FG rotor. The development of the DSM formulations for Timoshenko FG rotor elements using the governing equations derived from translational and rotational equilibrium conditions is the novelty of the present work. The DSM of the FG rotor elements, rigid disk and linear isotropic bearings are assembled to obtain the global dynamic stiffness matrix of the FG rotor bearing system. The natural whirl frequencies are computed from the global DSM using the Wittrick-William algorithm as a root searching technique. The natural and whirl frequencies are validated with the results available in the literature and the exactness of the DSM method has been exemplified.
Keywords: Wittrick–William algorithm; dynamic stiffness matrix; free vibration; functionally graded materials; non-linear temperature distribution; rotor bearing system.