Non-linear analysis of functionally graded plates under transverse and in-plane loads

Large deflection and postbuckling responses of functionally graded rectangular plates under transverse and in-plane loads are investigated by using a semi-analytical approach. Material properties are assumed to be temperature-dependent, and graded in the thickness direction according to a simple power law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The plate is assumed to be clamped on two opposite edges and the remaining two edges may be simply supported or clamped or may have elastic rotational edge constraints. The formulations are based on the classical plate theory, accounting for the plate-foundation interaction effects by a two-parameter model (Pasternak-type), from which Winkler elastic foundation can be treated as a limiting case. A perturbation technique in conjunction with one-dimensional differential quadrature approximation and Galerkin procedure are employed in the present analysis. The numerical illustrations concern the large deflection and postbuckling behavior of functional graded plates with two pairs of constituent materials. Effects played by volume fraction, the character of boundary conditions, plate aspect ratio, foundation stiffness, initial compressive stress as well as initial transverse pressure are studied.     

Three-dimensional free vibration analysis of functionally graded piezoelectric annular plates on elastic foundations

Three-dimensional free vibration analysis of functionally graded piezoelectric (FGPM) annular plates resting on Pasternak foundations with different boundary conditions is presented. The material properties are assumed to have an exponent-law variation along the thickness. A semi-analytical approach which makes use of state-space method in thickness direction and one-dimensional differential quadrature method in radial direction is utilized to obtain the influences of the Winkler and shearing layer elastic coefficients of the foundations on the non-dimensional natural frequencies of functionally graded piezoelectric annular plates. The analytical solution in the thickness direction can be acquired using the state-space method and approximate solution in the radial direction can be obtained using the one-dimensional differential quadrature method. Numerical results are given to demonstrate the convergency and accuracy of the present method. The influences of the material property graded index, circumferential wave number and thickness of the annular plate on the dynamic behavior are also investigated. Since three-dimensional free vibration analysis of FGPM annular plates on elastic foundations has not been implemented before, the new results can be used as benchmark solutions for future researches.     

Non-linear analysis of functionally graded fiber reinforced composite laminated plates,Part II: Numerical results

In this Part, the extensive parametric studies performed are reported and numerical results are presented for the non-linear vibration, non-linear bending and compressive postbuckling of uniformly distributed and functionally graded fiber reinforced unsymmetric cross-ply and/or antisymmetric angle-ply laminated plates resting on Pasternak elastic foundations under different hygrothermal environmental conditions. The numerical results show that the functionally graded fiber reinforcement has a significant effect on the postbuckling response and load-bending moment curves of plate bending, whereas this effect is less pronounced on the load-deflection curves of plate bending and the linear and non-linear frequencies of the same plate.     

梯度弹性基础上正交异性薄板的弯曲

基于能量法和变分原理,采用双参数弹性基础模型,研究了梯度弹性基础上正交异性薄板在分布载荷作用下的弯曲问题。首先,根据能量法与变分原理,给出了梯度弹性基础上正交异性薄板的弯曲微分平衡方程,并得到了梯度弹性基础刚度系数 与 的计算表达式;进而,假设 向正应力在厚度方向上均匀分布,推导了弹性基础 向位移衰减函数 的计算式。在算例中,通过将梯度弹性基础退化为均质基础,并与Vlazov模型对比,证明了本文理论的正确性;最后,求解了弹性模量呈幂律分布的梯度基础上薄板的挠度分布,分析了基础上下表层材料弹性模量比 与体积分数指数 对薄板挠度分布的影响。     

Bending of orthotropic plates resting on Pasternak’s foundations using mixed shear deformation theory

The mixed first-order shear deformation plate theory(MFPT) is employed to study the bending response of simply-supported orthotropic plates.The present plate is subjected to a mechanical load and resting on Pasternak’s model or Winkler’s model of elastic foundation or without any elastic foundation.Several examples are presented to verify the accuracy of the present theory.Numerical results for deflection and stresses are presented.The proposed MFPT is shown simplely to implement and capable of giving satisfactory results for shear deformable plates under static loads and resting on two-parameter elastic foundation.The results presented here show that the characteristics of deflection and stresses are significantly influenced by the elastic foundation stiffness,plate aspect ratio and side-to-thickness ratio.     

A comprehensive analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates: Part 1—Deflection and stresses

A two-dimensional solution is presented for bending analysis of simply supported functionally graded ceramic–metal sandwich plates. The sandwich plate faces are assumed to have isotropic, two-constituent material distribution through the thickness, and the modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio of the faces are assumed to vary according to a power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The core layer is still homogeneous and made of an isotropic ceramic material. Several kinds of sandwich plates are used taking into account the symmetry of the plate and the thickness of each layer. We derive field equations for functionally graded sandwich plates whose deformations are governed by either the shear deformation theories or the classical theory. Displacement functions that identically satisfy boundary conditions are used to reduce the governing equations to a set of coupled ordinary differential equations with variable coefficients. Numerical results of the sinusoidal, third-order, first-order and classical theories are presented to show the effect of material distribution on the deflections and stresses.     

An efficient and simple refined theory for nonlinear bending analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates

In this paper, an efficient and simple refined theory is presented for nonlinear bending analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates. The theory presented is variationally consistent, does not require the shear correction factor, and gives rise to transverse shear stress variations such that the transverse shear stresses vary parabolically across the plate thickness, satisfying shear-stress-free surface conditions. The energy concept along with the present theory and the first- and third-order shear deformation theories is used to predict the large deflection and the stress distribution across the thickness of functionally graded sandwich plates.     

梯度弹性基础上正交异性薄板的屈曲分析

基于双参数弹性基础模型,研究了梯度弹性基础上正交异性薄板的屈曲问题. 首先,基于能量法与变分原理,给出了梯度弹性基础上正交异性薄板的屈曲控制方程,并得到了梯度弹性基础刚度系数K₁ 与K₂的计算式;进而,通过将位移函数采用三角函数展开的方法,给出了单向压缩载荷作用下、四边简支正交异性弹性基础板屈曲载荷的计算式;在算例中,通过将该文的解退化到单纯的正交异性板,并与经典弹性解比较,证明了理论的正确性;最后,求解了弹性模量在厚度方向上呈幂律分布的梯度基础上的薄板屈曲问题,分析了基础上下表层材料弹性模量比与体积分数指数对屈曲载荷的影响.     

Free vibration of functionally graded sandwich plates using four-variable refined plate theory

This paper uses the four-variable refined plate theory (RPT) for the free vibration analysis of functionally graded material (FGM) sandwich rectangular plates. Unlike other theories, there are only four unknown functions involved, as compared to five in other shear deformation theories. The theory presented is variationally consistent and strongly similar to the classical plate theory in many aspects. It does not require the shear correction factor, and gives rise to the transverse shear stress variation so that the transverse shear stresses vary parabolically across the thickness to satisfy free surface conditions for the shear stress. Two common types of FGM sandwich plates are considered, namely, the sandwich with the FGM facesheet and the homogeneous core and the sandwich with the homogeneous facesheet and the FGM core. The equation of motion for the FGM sandwich plates is obtained based on Hamilton’s principle. The closed form solutions are obtained by using the Navier technique. The fundamental frequencies are found by solving the eigenvalue problems. The validity of the theory is shown by comparing the present results with those of the classical, the first-order, and the other higher-order theories. The proposed theory is accurate and simple in solving the free vibration behavior of the FGM sandwich plates.     

Analytical solutions for single- and multi-span functionally graded plates in cylindrical bending

A recently developed plate theory using the concept of shape function of the transverse coordinate parameter is extended to determine the stress distribution in an orthotropic functionally graded plate subjected to cylindrical bending. The transfer matrix method is presented to derive the shape function. The equations governing the plate deformation are then solved analytically using the transfer matrix method for arbitrary boundary conditions. For a simply supported functionally graded plate, a comparison of the present solution with the exact elasticity solution, the first- and third-order shear deformation plate theories is presented and discussed. It is demonstrated that the present method yields more accurate stresses than the first- and third-order shear deformation theories. The effect of boundary conditions and inhomogeneity of material on the displacements and stresses in functionally graded plates are investigated. A multi-span functionally graded plate with arbitrary boundary conditions is further considered to demonstrate the efficiency of the present method.     

Two new refined shear displacement models for functionally graded sandwich plates

Two refined displacement models, RSDT1 and RSDT2, are developed for a bending analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates. Unlike any other theory, the number of unknown functions involved is only four, as against five in case of other shear deformation theories. The developed models are variationally consistent, have strong similarity with classical plate theory in many aspects, do not require shear correction factor, and give rise to transverse shear stress variation such that the transverse shear stresses vary parabolically across the thickness satisfying shear stress-free surface conditions. The accuracy of the analysis presented is demonstrated by comparing the results with solutions derived from other higher-order models. The functionally graded layers are assumed to have isotropic, two-constituent material distribution through the thickness, and the modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio of the faces, and thermal expansion coefficients are assumed to vary according to a power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The core layer is still homogeneous and made of an isotropic ceramic material. Numerical results for deflections and stresses of functionally graded metal–ceramic plates are investigated. It can be concluded that the proposed models are accurate and simple in solving the bending behavior of functionally graded plates.     

Three-dimensional free vibration analysis of four-parameter continuous grading fiber reinforced cylindrical panels resting on Pasternak foundations

This research investigates three-dimensional free vibration analysis of four-parameter continuous grading fiber reinforced (CGFR) cylindrical panels resting on Pasternak foundations by using generalized power-law distribution. The functionally graded orthotropic panel is simply supported at the edges, and it is assumed to have an arbitrary variation of matrix volume fraction in the radial direction. A four-parameter power-law distribution presented in literature is proposed. Symmetric and asymmetric volume fraction profiles are presented. Suitable displacement functions that identically satisfy the boundary conditions at the simply supported edges are used to reduce the equilibrium equations to a set of coupled ordinary differential equations with variable coefficients, which are solved by generalized differential quadrature method, and natural frequency is obtained. The fast rate of convergence of the method is demonstrated, and to validate the results, comparisons are made with the available solutions for functionally graded isotropic shells with/without elastic foundations. The effect of the elastic foundation stiffness parameters and various geometrical parameters on the vibration behavior of the CGFR cylindrical panels is investigated. This work mainly contributes to illustrate the influence of the four parameters of power-law distributions on the vibration behavior of functionally graded orthotropic cylindrical panels resting on elastic foundation. This paper is also supposed to present useful results for continuous grading of matrix volume fraction in the thickness direction of a cylindrical panel on elastic foundation and comparison with similar discrete laminated composite cylindrical panel.     

An efficient shear deformation theory for vibration of functionally graded plates

This paper presents an efficient shear deformation theory for vibration of functionally graded plates. The theory accounts for parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains and satisfies the zero traction boundary conditions on the surfaces of the plate without using shear correction factors. The mechanical properties of functionally graded plate are assumed to vary according to a power law distribution of the volume fraction of the constituents. Equations of motion are derived from the Hamilton??s principle. Analytical solutions of natural frequency are obtained for simply supported plates. The accuracy of the present solutions is verified by comparing the obtained results with those predicted by classical theory, first-order shear deformation theory, and higher-order shear deformation theory. It can be concluded that the present theory is not only accurate but also simple in predicting the natural frequencies of functionally graded plates.     

Higher-order crack tip fields for functionally graded material plate with transverse shear deformation

The crack tip fields are investigated for a cracked functionally graded material (FGM) plate by Reissner’s linear plate theory with the consideration of the transverse shear deformation generated by bending. The elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the functionally graded plates are assumed to vary continuously through the coordinate y, according to a linear law and a constant, respectively. The governing equations, i.e., the 6th-order partial differential equations with variable coefficients, are derived in the polar coordinate system based on Reissner’s plate theory. Furthermore, the generalized displacements are treated in a separation-of-variable form, and the higher-order crack tip fields of the cracked FGM plate are obtained by the eigen-expansion method. It is found that the analytic solutions degenerate to the corresponding fields of the isotropic homogeneous plate with Reissner’s effect when the in-homogeneity parameter approaches zero.     

Three-dimensional elasticity solution for bending of transversely isotropic functionally graded plates

This paper presents a three-dimensional elasticity solution for a simply supported, transversely isotropic functionally graded plate subjected to transverse loading, with Young’s moduli and the shear modulus varying exponentially through the thickness and Poisson’s ratios being constant. The approach makes use of the recently developed displacement functions for inhomogeneous transversely isotropic media. Dependence of stress and displacement fields in the plate on the inhomogeneity ratio, geometry and degree of anisotropy is examined and discussed. The developed three-dimensional solution for transversely isotropic functionally graded plate is validated through comparison with the available three-dimensional solutions for isotropic functionally graded plates, as well as the classical and higher-order plate theories.     

Semi-analytical buckling analysis of heterogeneous variable thickness viscoelastic circular plates on elastic foundations

Buckling analysis of the functionally graded viscoelastic circular plates has not been carried out so far. In the present paper, a series solution is developed for buckling analysis of radially graded FG viscoelastic circular plates with variable thickness resting on two-parameter elastic foundations, based on Mindlin's plate theory. The complex modulus approach in combination with the elastic–viscoelastic correspondence principle is employed to obtain the solution for various edge conditions. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis is carried out to evaluate effects of various parameters on the buckling load. Results reveal that the viscoelastic behavior of the materials may postpone the buckling occurrence and the stiffness reduction due to the section variations may be compensated by the graded material properties.     

Free vibration of functionally graded sandwich plates using four-variable refined plate theory

This paper uses the four-variable refined plate theory (RPT) for the free vibration analysis of functionally graded material (FGM) sandwich rectangular plates.Unlike other theories, there are only four unknown functions involved, as compared to five in other shear deformation theories. The theory presented is variationally consistent and strongly similar to the classical plate theory in many aspects. It does not require the shear correction factor, and gives rise to the transverse shear stress variation so that the transverse shear stresses vary parabolically across the thickness to satisfy free surface conditions for the shear stress. Two common types of FGM sandwich plates are considered, namely, the sandwich with the FGM facesheet and the homogeneous core and the sandwich with the homogeneous facesheet and the FGM core. The equation of motion for the FGM sandwich plates is obtained based on Hamilton's principle. The closed form solutions are obtained by using the Navier technique. The fundamental frequencies are found by solving the eigenvalue problems. The validity of the theory is shown by comparing the present results with those of the classical, the first-order, and the other higher-ordex theories. The proposed theory is accurate and simple in solving the free vibration behavior of the FGM sandwich plates.     

Application of Lie transformation group methods to classical linear theories of rods and plates

In the present paper, a class of partial differential equations governing various rod and plate theories of Bernoulli–Euler and Poisson–Kirchhoff type is studied by Lie transformation group methods. A system of equations determining the generators of the admitted point Lie groups (symmetries) is derived and the general statement of the associated group-classification problem is given. A simple relation is deduced allowing to recognize easily the variational symmetries among the “ordinary” symmetries of a self-adjoint equation of the class examined. Explicit formulae for the conserved currents of the corresponding (via Bessel-Hagen’s extension of Noether’s theorem) conservation laws are suggested. Solutions of group-classification problems are given for subclasses of equations of the foregoing type governing stability and vibration of rods, fluid conveying pipes and plates resting on variable elastic foundations. The obtained group-classification results are used to derive conservation laws and group-invariant solutions readily applicable in rod dynamics and plate statics and dynamics. New generalized symmetries and conservation laws for the theories of Timoshenko beams, Reissner–Mindlin plates and three-dimensional elastostatics are presented.     

Efficient higher-order shear deformation theories for bending and free vibration analyses of functionally graded plates

In this paper, various efficient higher-order shear deformation theories are presented for bending and free vibration analyses of functionally graded plates. The displacement fields of the present theories are chosen based on cubic, sinusoidal, hyperbolic, and exponential variations in the in-plane displacements through the thickness of the plate. By dividing the transverse displacement into the bending and shear parts and making further assumptions, the number of unknowns and equations of motion of the present theories is reduced and hence makes them simple to use. Equations of motion are derived from Hamilton’s principle. Analytical solutions for deflections, stresses, and frequencies are obtained for simply supported rectangular plates. The accuracy of the present theories is verified by comparing the obtained results with the exact three-dimensional (3D) and quasi-3D solutions and those predicted by higher-order shear deformation theories. Numerical results show that all present theories can archive accuracy comparable to the existing higher-order shear deformation theories that contain more number of unknowns.     

BENDING RESPONSES OF AN EXPONENTIALLY GRADED SIMPLY-SUPPORTED ELASTIC/VISCOELASTIC/ELASTIC SANDWICH PLATE

The bending response for exponentially graded composite (EGC) sandwich plates is investigated.The three-layer elastic/viscoelastic/elastic sandwich plate is studied by using the sinusoidal shear deformation plate theory as well as other familiar theories.Four types of sandwich plates are considered taking into account the symmetry of the plate and the thickness of each layer.The effective moduli and Illyushin’s approximation methods are used to solve the equations governing the bending of simply-supported EGC fiber-reinforced viscoelastic sandwich plates.Then numerical results for deflections and stresses are presented and the effects due to time parameter,aspect ratio,side-to-thickness ratio and constitutive parameter are investigated.