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.