Three-dimensional analysis of an all-round clamped plate made of functionally graded materials

A three-dimensional study for the static response of a clamped rectangular plate made of functionally graded material is presented. The governing equation of the plate is derived by the Ritz energy method within the linear, small deformation theory of elasticity. A power-law distribution for the mechanical characteristics is adopted to model the continuous variation of properties from those of one component to those of the other. The displacements and stresses of the plate for different values of the power-law exponent and thickness-side ratios are investigated. The developed three-dimensional elasticity Solution by the multiterm Ritz method appears to be important because it can be used to assess the accuracy of both the two-dimensional theories as well as that of the numerical methods.