Search

In this research work, an exact analytical solution for thermal buckling analysis of functionally graded material (FGM) plates with clamped boundary condition subjected to uniform, linear, and non-linear temperature rises across the thickness direction is developed. Unlike any other theory, the number of unknown functions involved is only four, as against five in case of other shear deformation theories. The theory accounts for parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains, and satisfies the zero traction boundary conditions on the surfaces of the plate without using shear correction factor. The material properties of FGM plate are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction according to a simple power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The governing equations are solved analytically for a plate with simply supported boundary conditions. Resulting equations are employed to obtain the closed-form solution for the thermal force resultant for each loading case. Numerical examples covering the effects of the plate aspect ratio, side-to-thickness ratio and gradient index on thermal force resultant are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this work, the influence of uniaxial and biaxial nonuniform edge loads on buckling characteristics of composite laminates with and without cutout is investigated by using a finite element method. Furthermore, this investigation addresses the effects of different degree of edge restraints on buckling analysis. Regarding this, a nine node heterosis plate element has been adapted by employing the effects of shear deformation and rotary inertia. The influence of different parameters, such as ply-orientations, nonuniform edge loads, boundary conditions, and cutout sizes, has been considered and studied in detail. It is clearly illustrated that cutout sizes under different loading conditions have remarkable effects on buckling behavior of composite laminates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]