Evaluation of size effects in functionally graded elastic nanobeams is carried out by making recourse to the nonlocal continuum mechanics. The Bernoulli-Euler kinematic assumption and the Eringen nonlocal constitutive law are assumed in the formulation of the elastic equilibrium problem. An innovative methodology, characterized by a lowering in the order of governing differential equation, is adopted in the present manuscript in order to solve the boundary value problem of a nanobeam under flexure. Unlike standard treatments, a second-order differential equation of nonlocal equilibrium elastic is integrated in terms of transverse displacements and equilibrated bending moments. Benchmark examples are developed, thus providing the nonlocality effect in nanocantilever and clampled-simply supported nanobeams for selected values of the Eringen scale parameter
