Transverse flexural response of shear flexible functionally graded plates subjected to mechanical loads

Abstract

The functionally graded material (FGM) consists of two or more distinct materials combined with a distribution of these materials governed by a specific material distribution law, choice and variation of which is based on the functional requirements. Flexural analysis of the through-thickness functionally graded material square plates, subjected to a uniformly distributed load that gradually changes to a central concentrated load, keeping the magnitude of the total load constant, hitherto not attempted by the researchers in this field, is studied using a finite element formulation. Reissner-Mindlin first order shear deformable plate theory is used in the analysis. The present formulation is validated by comparing the results with those available in the literature. The effect of the boundary conditions and volume fraction exponent on the flexural response of the FGM plates is studied. Though the FGM plates are generally designed for thermo-mechanical loads, for a clear understanding of the flexural response of these plates subjected to the mechanical load only is considered here, giving emphasis on the deflections and stresses. Interesting features, which differentiate the flexural response of the FGM plate with that of the homogenous plate, are discussed in detail.