Analysis of functionally graded plates using higher order shear deformation theory

This work addresses a static analysis of functionally graded material (FGM) plates using higher order shear deformation theory. In the theory the transverse shear stresses are represented as quadratic through the thickness and hence it requires no shear correction factor. The material property gradient is assumed to vary in the thickness direction. Mori and Tanaka theory (1973) [1] is used to represent the material property of FGM plate at any point. The thermal gradient across the plate thickness is represented accurately by utilizing the thermal properties of the constituent materials. Results have been obtained by employing a C continuous isoparametric Lagrangian finite element with seven degrees of freedom for each node. The convergence and comparison studies are presented and effects of the different material composition and the plate geometry (side-thickness, side-side) on deflection and temperature are investigated. Effect of skew angle on deflection and axial stress of the plate is also studied. Effects of material constant n on deflection and the temperature distribution are also discussed in detail. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.