Analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates based on imposition of the shape functions for various boundary conditions

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a higher-order shear deformation theory for buckling and free vibration analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates. The theory used is developed from the first-order shear deformation theory without requiring shear correction factor. The plate’s equations of motion are derived from the Hamilton’s principle. Ritz’s solutions are applied to solve for the plate’s responses in various boundary conditions. The accuracy of this plate model is verified with the past studies. Numerical results are obtained for functionally graded sandwich plates to investigate the effects of the power-law index, constituent material distribution, side-to-thickness on the buckling and frequency responses.

Keywords: Functionally graded sandwich plates, free vibration, buckling analysis