Analysis of dynamic instability in sandwich thick beams with flexible functional core subjected to a follower force

Aerial structures under non-conservative forces especially follower loads, may be exposed to dynamic or static instabilities. Thus, it is essential to design these structures so that it would prevent this phenomenon. In this paper, for the first time, dynamic instability of a thick sandwich beam with FGM flexible core under follower force is considered using high-order theory of sandwich beams. Sandwich beam is considered as a linear elastic structure with small rotations and deformations. Equations of Motion of high-order sandwich beams under follower force, are derived using Hamilton’s principle. The Beam fluttering phenomenon is investigated by applying boundary conditions and using a generalized differential quadrature method. in addition to verification of results, effects of the beam’s geometry and mechanical parameters have been studied. These results revealed that threshold flutter force of the sandwich beam is similar to Timoshenko one.