This article presents the analysis of functionally graded hollow circular cylinders with finite length under axisymmetric dynamic loads. It is assumed that the functionally graded cylinder is comprised of metal-phase and ceramic-phase, whereas material properties are graded in the thickness direction of the cylinder according to power law distribution. Two-dimensional finite element method in conjunction with the Newmark method is used to solve the system of time-dependent coupled equations that govern the dynamic responses. By introducing especial elements, it is possible to distribute the material properties through the thickness of cylinder exactly according to the power law distribution. Dynamic loads applied on the cylinder are axisymmetric in the hoop direction and can vary in the radial and axial directions. As examples, the transient responses of functionally graded cylinders, which are excited in radial direction by increasing and sudden internal pressure and line load and also in axial direction by longitudinal incident wavelet, are calculated, and the characteristics of waves are discussed. The results in the present study are obtained for thick cylinder and cylindrical shell and compared with the results for isotropic cylinders.

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