Buckling analysis of functionally graded thin square plates with triangular cut-out subjected to uni-axial loads

In this article, the buckling behaviour of simply supported functionally graded (FG) thin square plates with triangular cut-out subjected to mechanical loading is investigated. Both uniform and non-uniform (linear triangle and trapezoidal) in-plane uniaxial compressive loadings are considered. Finite element method based on first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is used to find out the critical buckling loads with the help of ANSYS - a commercial finite element software. Eight noded shell element with six degrees of freedom at each node is used for discretization. The material properties of the plates are assumed to vary along the thickness according to a simple power law distribution in terms of volume fraction exponent. The effects of volume fraction exponent and cut-out size for the various types of loads considered are presented. Finally, from the results it is observed that the buckling load capacity decreases with the increase in volume fraction exponent and cut-out size for the considered types of loading. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.