Variational analysis of gradient elastic flexural plates under static loading

Gradient elastic flexural Kirchhoff plates under static loading are considered. Their governing equation of equilibrium in terms of their lateral deflection is a sixth order partial differential equation instead of the fourth order one for the classical case. A variational formulation of the problem is established with the aid of the principle of virtual work and used to determine all possible boundary conditions, classical and non-classical ones. Two circular gradient elastic plates, clamped or simply supported at their boundaries, are analyzed analytically and the gradient effect on their static response is assessed in detail. A rectangular gradient elastic plate, simply supported at its boundaries, is also analyzed analytically and its rationally obtained boundary conditions are compared with the heuristically obtained ones in a previous publication of the authors. Finally, a plate with two opposite sides clamped experiencing cylindrical bending is also analyzed and its response compared against that for the cases of micropolar and couple-stress elasticity theories.