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AbstractThis research paper conducts a comprehensive investigation into the linear bending and free vibration of size-dependent functionally graded (FG) nanoplates using an improved first-order shear deformation theory (IFSDT). The present IFSDT offers an enhanced representation and precise computation of normal and shear stresses across the thickness of the nanoplates. Notably, it not only ensures compliance with free conditions on both the upper and lower surfaces but also eliminates the need for a conventional correction factor commonly employed in the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT). To transcend the assumptions of classical continuum mechanics and address the impacts of small-scale effects in discrete nanoplates, Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity theory is applied. The formulation of the governing equation for the bending and free vibration analyses of the FG nanoplates is achieved through the application of Hamilton’s principle. The proposed IFSDT is implemented with an efficient C0-continuous quadrilateral element which is suitable for analysis of structures with arbitrary shapes and complex forces. The model’s performance is showcased through a comparative evaluation against literature predictions, highlighting its high accuracy and rapid convergence. Additionally, the research scrutinizes the effects of various parameters, such as plate thickness, boundary conditions, aspect ratio, nonlocal parameter, different material compositions, and power-law index on the deflections, stresses, and naturel frequencies of the FG nanoplates. The results underscore the significant impact of size-dependent effects on the linear bending and vibration behaviors of the nanoplates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractFunctionally graded materials (FGMs) are advanced composite materials with spatially varying properties, and their porosity distribution further enhances their complexity. The distribution pattern of porosity within a porous material plays a crucial role in determining the mechanical response of these structures. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to analyze the bending, free vibration, and buckling characteristics of porous FG plates by considering different porosity distributions and their effects on the overall behavior. To achieve this goal, a new finite element model is developed in the framework of an improved first-order shear deformation theory (IFSDT). In contrast to the conventional Mindlin–Reissner theory, the present IFSDT incorporates an improved mathematical formulation and provides a more realistic parabolic depiction of shear strain throughout the plate’s thickness without using any shear correction factors. In the present study, five types of porosity distribution functions are considered for the analysis. The material characteristics of the FGM porous plate change gradually in the thickness direction based on a power-law function. The governing equations are derived here using Hamilton’s principle, and a finite element method is employed for numerical analysis. Comparative analyses with previously published literature underscore the precision and simplicity of our developed finite element model. Moreover, the effects of various types of loads, porosity parameters, power-law index, side-to-thickness ratio, aspect ratio, porosity distributions and boundary conditions on the deflections, natural frequencies, and critical buckling loads are thoroughly analyzed in detail. Finally, the findings of this research contribute to the understanding of the mechanical behavior of FGMs and pave the way for designing and optimizing novel porous functionally graded structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accuracy of a wavelet depends on the choice of the mother wavelet adopted. The present work aims to predict the free vibration behavior of laminated sandwich plates using wavelet finite element (WFE). Different kinds of mother wavelets, namely, B-spline wavelet on the interval (BSWI), Gaussian, Haar, Daubechies 6 (db6), Biorthogonal 3.7 (bior3.7), Coiflet5 (coif5), Symlets (sym8), Morlet, Mexican hat (Mh), and Meyer mother wavelets, are employed in WFE for predicting the frequencies. Both symmetric and unsymmetric laminates are studied using the proposed approaches. A wide range of problems, including the influence of the geometric and material properties and end conditions on the free vibration behavior of the laminated sandwich plates, are solved. The effectiveness of the WFE over the conventional finite element method in terms of computational efficiency is discussed. In conclusion, BSWI-based WFE method (WFEM) is found to be the most accurate and computationally efficient in predicting the free vibration behavior of laminated sandwich plates. The accuracy of the WFEM depends widely on the type of mother wavelet adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helicoidal schemes possessed by biological creatures possess high strength and stiffness. The adoption of the layup configurations possessed by these biological creatures is not fully explored. The present article aims to carry out the free vibration analysis of biological-inspired laminated composite (B-ILC) plates having helicoidal layup. The analysis is carried out using higher-order zigzag theory (HOZT) as due to the presence of several layers, the HOZT can predict the behavior accurately compared to the shear deformation theory. Based on Hamilton's principle, the governing equations are worked out and analyzed using the finite element method. The influence of boundary conditions, geometric properties, number of layers, the skew angle of the plate, and material properties on the free vibration behavior are studied in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, an attempt has been made to carry out the bending analysis of sandwich FGM beams under combined hygro-thermo-mechanical loadings. Temperature and moisture-dependent material properties are used during the present study. A comparative study has also been carried out between the beams made up of different homogenization rules. The study has been carried out using recently proposed finite element-based HOZT. The present model satisfies the inter-laminar transverse shear stress continuity condition at interfaces and the zero condition at the top and bottom surfaces of the beam. The data is presented in the form of tables for displacement and stresses and graphs representing stress distribution across the thickness of the beam. For the first time, upward displacement of the sandwich FGM beam has been reported in the present work when subjected to hygro-thermo-mechanical loading. Several new results are also reported in the present work, which will serve as a benchmark for future studies in a similar direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work studies the size-dependent free vibration response of functionally graded (FG) nanoplates using a layerwise theory. The proposed model supposes not only a higher-order displacement field for the core but also the first-order displacement field for the two face sheets, thereby maintaining an interlaminar displacement continuity among layers. Unlike the conventional layerwise models, the number of variables is kept fixed and does not increase for an increased number of layers. This is a very important feature compared to conventional layerwise models and facilitates significantly the engineering analyses. The material properties of the FG nanoplate are graded continuously through the thickness direction in accordance with a power-law function. The Eringen's nonlocal elasticity theory is here adopted to relax the continuum axiom required in classical continuum mechanics and hence hopeful to capture the small size effects of naturally discrete nanoplates. The equations of motion of the problem are obtained via a classical Hamilton's principle. The present layerwise model is implemented with a computationally efficient C0- continuous isoparametric serendipity elements and applied to solve a large-scale discrete numerical problem. The robustness and reliability of the developed finite element model are demonstrated by a comparative evaluation of results against predictions from literature. The comparative studies show that the proposed finite element model is: (a) free of shear locking, (b) accurate with a fast rate convergence for both thin and thick FG nanoplates, and (c) excellent in terms of numerical stability. Moreover, a detailed parametric analysis checks for the sensitivity of the vibration response of FG nanoplates to the aspect ratio, length-to-thickness ratio, nonlocal parameter, boundary conditions, power-law index, and modes shapes. Referential results are also reported, for the first time, for natural frequencies of FGM nanoplates which will serve as benchmarks for further computational investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the bending behavior of functionally graded single-layered, symmetric and non-symmetric sandwich beams is investigated according to a new higher order shear deformation theory. Based on this theory, a novel parabolic shear deformation function is developed and applied to investigate the bending response of sandwich beams with homogeneous hardcore and softcore. The present theory provides an accurate parabolic distribution of transverse shear stress across the thickness and satisfies the zero traction boundary conditions on the top and bottom surfaces of the functionally graded sandwich beam without using any shear correction factors. The governing equations derived herein are solved by employing the finite element method using a two-node beam element, developed for this purpose. The material properties of functionally graded sandwich beams are graded through the thickness according to the power-law distribution. The predictive capability of the proposed finite element model is demonstrated through illustrative examples. Four types of beam support, i.e. simply-simply, clamped-free, clamped–clamped, and clamped-simply, are used to study how the beam deflection and both axial and transverse shear stresses are affected by the variation of volume fraction index and beam length-to-height ratio. Results of the numerical analysis have been reported and compared with those available in the open literature to evaluate the accuracy and robustness of the proposed finite element model. The comparisons with other higher order shear deformation theories verify that the proposed beam element is accurate, presents fast rate of convergence to the reference results and it is also valid for both thin and thick functionally graded sandwich beams. Further, some new results are reported in the current study, which will serve as a benchmark for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a free vibration analysis of laminated sandwich plates under various boundary conditions by using an efficient C0 eight‐node quadrilateral element. This new element is formulated based on the recently proposed layerwise model. The present model assumes an improved first‐order shear deformation theory for the face sheets while a higher‐order theory is assumed for the core maintaining an interlaminar displacement continuity. The advantage of this model relies on its number of variables is fixed, does not increase when increasing the number of lamina layers. This is a very important feature compared to the conventional layerwise models and facilitates significantly the engineering analysis. Indeed, the developed finite element is free of the shear locking phenomenon without requiring any shear correction factors. The governing equations of motion of the sandwich plate are derived via the classical Hamilton's principle. Several examples covering the various features such as the effect of modular ratio, aspect ratios, core‐to‐face thickness ratio, boundary conditions, skew angle, number of layers, geometry and ply orientations are solved for laminated composites and sandwich plates. The obtained results are compared with 3D, quasi‐3D, 2D analytical solutions, and those predicted by other advanced finite element models. The comparison studies indicate that the developed finite element model is of fast convergence to the reference and valid for both thick and thin laminated sandwich plates. Finally, it can be concluded that the present model is not only simple and accurate than the conventional ones, but also comparable with refined analytical solutions found in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]