A new five-unknown refined theory based on neutral surface position for bending analysis of exponential graded plates

In the present paper, a new sinusoidal higher-order plate theory is developed for bending of exponential graded plates. The effects due to transverse shear and normal deformations are both included. The number of unknown functions involved in the present theory is only five as against six or more in case of other shear and normal deformation theories. The theory accounts for sinusoidal distribution of the transverse shear strains, and satisfies the zero traction boundary conditions on the surfaces of the plate without using shear correction factor. Based on the sinusoidal shear and normal deformation theory, the position of neutral surface is determined and the governing equilibrium equations based on neutral surface are derived. There is no stretching–bending coupling effect in the neutral surface-based formulation, and consequently, the governing equations of functionally graded plates based on neutral surface have the simple forms as those of isotropic plates. Numerical results of present theory are compared with three-dimensional elasticity solutions and other higher-order theories reported in the literature. It can be concluded that the proposed theory is accurate and efficient in predicting the bending response of exponential graded plates.