Influences of elastic foundations and shear deformations on the buckling behavior of functionally graded material truncated conical shells under axial compression

This article presents an investigation on the buckling of functionally graded (FG) truncated conical shells under an axial load resting on elastic foundations within the shear deformation theory (SDT). The governing equations are solved using the Galerkin method, and the closed-form solution of the axial buckling load for FG conical shells on elastic foundations within the SDT is obtained. Various numerical examples are presented and discussed to verify the accuracy of the closed-form solution in predicting dimensionless buckling loads for FG conical shells on the Winkler–Pasternak elastic foundations within the SDT.     

Mechanical and thermal postbuckling of higher order shear deformable functionally graded plates on elastic foundations

This paper presents an analytical investigation on the buckling and postbuckling behaviors of thick functionally graded plates resting on elastic foundations and subjected to in-plane compressive, thermal and thermomechanical loads. Material properties are assumed to be temperature independent, and graded in the thickness direction according to a simple power law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of constituents. The formulations are based on higher order shear deformation plate theory taking into account Von Karman nonlinearity, initial geometrical imperfection and Pasternak type elastic foundation. By applying Galerkin method, closed-form relations of buckling loads and postbuckling equilibrium paths for simply supported plates are determined. Analysis is carried out to show the effects of material and geometrical properties, in-plane boundary restraint, foundation stiffness and imperfection on the buckling and postbuckling loading capacity of the plates.     

Postbuckling Analysis of Shear-Deformable Composite Laminated Plates on Two-Parameter Elastic Foundations

Postbuckling analysis is presented for a simply supported, shear-deformable, composite laminated plate subjected to uniaxial compression and resting on a two-parameter (Pasternak-type) elastic foundation. The initial geometric imperfection of the plate is taken into account. Two cases of in-plane boundary conditions are considered. The formulations are based on Reddy’s higher-order shear-deformation plate theory, including plate–foundation interaction. The analysis uses a deflection-type perturbation technique to determine buckling loads and postbuckling equilibrium paths. Numerical examples are presented that relate to the performance of perfect and imperfect, antisymmetric angle-ply and symmetric cross-ply laminated plates resting on Pasternak-type elastic foundations from which results for Winkler elastic foundations are obtained as a limiting case. The effects played by foundation stiffness, transverse shear deformation, the character of the in-plane boundary conditions, plate aspect ratio, total number of plies, fiber orientation, and initial geometric imperfections are studied.     

Thermal Postbuckling of Imperfect Shear-Deformable Laminated Plates on Two-Parameter Elastic Foundations

Thermal postbuckling analysis is presented for a simply supported, shear-deformable composite laminated plate subjected to uniform or nonuniform parabolic temperature loading and resting on a two-parameter (Pasternak-type) elastic foundation. The initial geometric imperfection of the plate is taken into account. Reddy's third-order shear-deformation plate theory with von Karman nonlinearity is used. The governing equations also include the plate-foundation interaction and thermal effects. The analysis uses a mixed Galerkin-perturbation technique to determine thermal buckling loads and postbuckling equilibrium paths. Numerical examples are presented that relate to the performances of perfect and imperfect, symmetric cross-ply laminated plates resting on Pasternak-type elastic foundations from which results for Winkler elastic foundations are obtained as a limiting case. The influence played by a number of effects, among them foundation stiffness, transverse shear deformation, plate aspect ratio, fiber orientation, thermal load ratio, and initial geometric imperfections, is studied. Typical results are presented in dimensionless graphical form.     

Exact solution for stability analysis of moderately thick functionally graded sector plates on elastic foundation

In this article, an exact analytical solution for buckling analysis of moderately thick functionally graded (FG) sector plates resting on Winkler elastic foundation is presented. The equilibrium equations are derived according to the first order shear deformation plate theory. Because of the coupling between the bending and stretching equilibrium equations of FG plates, these plates have deflection under in-plane loads lower than the critical buckling load acting on the mid-plane. The conditions under which FG plates remain flat in the pre-buckling configuration are investigated and the stability equations are obtained based on the flat plate assumption in the pre-buckling state. The stability equations are simplified into decoupled equations and solved analytically for plates having simply supported boundary condition on the straight edges. The critical buckling load is obtained and the effects of geometrical parameters and power law index on the stability of functionally graded sector plates are studded. The results for the critical buckling load of moderately thick functionally graded sector plates resting on elastic foundation are reported for the first time.     

Thermal buckling analysis of nanoplates based on nonlocal elasticity theory with four-unknown shear deformation theory resting on Winkler–Pasternak elastic foundation

The thermal buckling analysis of nanoplates is based on nonlocal elasticity theory with four-unknown shear deformation theory resting on Winkler–Pasternak elastic foundation. The nanoplate is assumed to be under three types of thermal loadings, namely uniform temperature rise, linear temperature rise, and nonlinear temperature rise through the thickness. The theory involves four unknown variables with small-scale effects, as against five in the case of other higher-order theories and first-order shear deformation theory. Closed-form solution for theory was also presented. Results are presented to discuss the influences of the nonlocal parameter, aspect ratio, side-to-thickness ratio, and elastic foundation parameters on the thermal buckling characteristics of analytical rectangular nanoplates.     

Nonlinear bending of FGM plates subjected to combined loading and resting on elastic foundations

A nonlinear bending analysis is presented for a simply supported, functionally graded plate resting on an elastic foundation of Pasternak-type. The plate is exposed to elevated temperature and is subjected to a transverse uniform or sinusoidal load combined with initial compressive edge loads. Material properties are assumed to be temperature-dependent, and graded in the thickness direction according to a simple power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The formulations are based on a higher-order shear deformation plate theory and general von Kármán-type equation that includes the plate-foundation interaction and thermal effects. A two step perturbation technique is employed to determine the load–deflection and load–bending moment curves. The numerical illustrations concern nonlinear bending response of functional graded plates with two constituent materials resting on Pasternak elastic foundations from which results for Winkler elastic foundations are obtained as a limiting case. The results reveal that the characteristics of nonlinear bending are significantly influenced by foundation stiffness, temperature rise, transverse shear deformation, the character of in-plane boundary conditions and the amount of initial compressive load. In contrast, the effect of volume fraction index N becomes weaker when the plate is supported by an elastic foundation.     

Nonlinear behavior of functionally graded circular plates with various boundary supports under asymmetric thermo-mechanical loading

The equilibrium equations of the first-order nonlinear von Karman theory for FG circular plates under asymmetric transverse loading and heat conduction through the plate thickness are reformulated into those describing the interior and edge-zone problems of the plate. A two parameter perturbation technique, in conjunction with Fourier series method is used to obtain analytical solutions for nonlinear behavior of functionally graded circular plates with various clamped and simply-supported boundary conditions. The material properties are graded through the plate thickness according to a power-law distribution of the volume fraction of the constituents. The results are verified with known results in the literature. The load–deflection curves for different loadings, boundary conditions, and material constant in a solid circular plate are studied and discussed. It is shown that the behavior of FG plates with clamped or simply-supported boundary conditions are completely different. Under thermo-mechanical loading, snap-through buckling behavior is observed in simply-supported FG plates which are immovable in radial direction. Moreover, it is found that linear theory is inadequate for analyzing FG and also homogenous plates with immovable boundary supports in radial direction and subjected to thermal loading, even for deflections that are normally considered small.     

Buckling analysis of orthotropic thin rectangular plates subjected to nonlinear in-plane distributed loads using generalized differential quadrature method

In the present work, buckling analysis of orthotropic thin rectangular plates with uniform thickness resting on Pasternak foundation are investigated for eight types of boundary conditions: SSSS, CCCC, SCSC, SSSC, SSCC, CCCF, SSFC, and CFCF. Based on classical plate theory, governing differential equation in buckling are solved numerically using generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) to obtain critical buckling loads and corresponding modes. The kinds of nonlinear loading are presented in six cases including symmetrical and unsymmetrical distribution. In addition, the effects of aspect ratio, orthotropic moduli ratio and coefficients of foundation on the buckling load are illustrated. The present work is the first attempt to consider the influence of the nonlinearity of distributed in-plane bi-directional loading in determination of buckling load and representation of the corresponding shape modes. Some numerical examples are provided to demonstrate good accuracy of the GDQ method to evaluate the critical buckling load in case of nonlinear distributed bi-directional compressive loads. As shown, profile of distributed in-plane loading plays an important role on buckling behavior of the rectangular plate.     

Surface effects on nonlinear vibration of embedded functionally graded nanoplates via higher order shear deformation plate theory

In this paper, free vibration behavior of functionally nanoplate resting on a Pasternak linear elastic foundation is investigated. The study is based on third-order shear deformation plate theory with small scale effects and von Karman nonlinearity, in conjunction with Gurtin–Murdoch surface continuum theory. It is assumed that functionally graded (FG) material distribution varies continuously in the thickness direction as a power law function and the effective material properties are calculated by the use of Mori–Tanaka homogenization scheme. The governing and boundary equations, derived using Hamilton's principle are solved through extending the generalized differential quadrature method. Finally, the effects of power-law distribution, nonlocal parameter, nondimensional thickness, aspect of the plate, and surface parameters on the natural frequencies of FG rectangular nanoplates for different boundary conditions are investigated.     

Free vibration analysis of functionally graded plates resting on Winkler–Pasternak elastic foundations using a new shear deformation theory

Free vibration analysis of simply supported functionally graded plates (FGP) resting on a Winkler–Pasternak elastic foundation are examined by a new higher shear deformation theory in this paper. Present theory exactly satisfies stress boundary conditions on the top and the bottom of the plate. The material properties change continuously through the thickness of the plate, which can vary according to power law, exponentially or any other formulations in this direction. The equation of motion for FG rectangular plates resting on elastic foundation is obtained through Hamilton’s principle. The closed form solutions are obtained by using Navier technique, and then fundamental frequencies are found by solving the results of eigenvalue problems. The numerical results obtained through the present analysis for free vibration of functionally graded plates on elastic foundation are presented, and compared with the ones available in the literature.     

Boundary element formulations for Mindlin plate on an elastic foundation with dynamic load

Boundary element method (BEM) for a shear deformable plate (Reissner/Mindline's theories) resting on an elastic foundation subjected to dynamic load is presented. Formulations for both Winkler and Pasternak foundations are presented. The boundary element formulation in Laplace domain is presented together with complete expressions for the internal point kernels (i.e. fundamental solutions). Quadratic isoparameteric boundary elements are used to discretise the boundary of plate domain. Time domain variables are obtained by the Durbin's inversion method from transform domain. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the boundary element method and the comparisons are made with other numerical technique.     

Buckling analysis of orthotropic rectangular plate resting on Pasternak elastic foundation under biaxial in-plane loading

In this study, buckling of rectangular orthotropic plates resting on a Pasternak elastic foundation under biaxial in-plane loading by the power series method (the method of Frobenius) was analyzed. Similar to many studies, two opposite edges of loading are simply supported and two other edges are assumed clamped. In order to extract the characteristic equations of orthotropic rectangular plate under in-plane loading resting on a Pasternak elastic foundation, the classical plate theory, by considering the interaction between plate and foundation, is used. The results showed that in the aspect ratio of less than 2, the existing Pasternak foundation caused the buckling load to increase severely, but by increasing the aspect ratio, the effect of the foundation is negligible. Applying the in-plane load in the y-direction caused the buckling load to decrease, but by increasing the aspect ratios the effect of the load is negligible.     

Effect of three-parameter viscoelastic medium on vibration behavior of temperature-dependent non-homogeneous viscoelastic nanobeams in a hygro-thermal environment

In this article, free vibration of functionally graded (FG) viscoelastic nanobeams resting on viscoelastic foundation subjected to hygrothermal loading is investigated employing a higher order refined beam theory which captures shear deformation influences needless of any shear correction factor. The three-parameter viscoelastic medium consists of parallel springs and dashpots as well as a shear layer. Temperature-dependent material properties of FGM beam are graded across the thickness via the power-law model. Employing non-local elasticity theory of Eringen and Hamilton's principle, non-local governing equations of a size-dependent viscoelastic nanobeam are obtained and solved analytically for various boundary conditions. To verify the reliability of the developed model, the results of the current work are compared with those available in literature. The effects of viscoelastic foundation parameters, internal damping coefficient, hygrothermal loading, non-local parameter, gradient index, mode number, and slenderness ratio on the vibrational characteristics of nanoscale viscoelastic FG beams are explored.     

Mechanical buckling of two-dimensional functionally graded cylindrical shells surrounded by Winkler–Pasternak elastic foundation

In this research, buckling analysis of a two-dimensional, functionally graded, cylindrical shell that has been embedded in an outer elastic medium in the presence of combined axial and transverse loading based on third-order shear deformation shell theory is numerically investigated. Variations of the shell properties are considered to be continuous through length and thickness. Winkler–Pasternak foundation and simply supported boundary conditions have been applied. The problem has been solved using the generalized differential quadrature method. Geometrical, load, and foundation parameters beside functionally graded power indexes effects on the critical buckling load have been studied.     

Thermal Postbuckling Analysis of Imperfect Reissner-Mindlin Plates on Softening Nonlinear Elastic Foundations

A thermal postbuckling analysis is presented for a simply supported, moderately thick rectangular plate subjected to uniform or nonuniform tent-like temperature loading and resting on a softening nonlinear elastic foundation. The initial geometrical imperfection of the plate is taken into account. The formulations are based on the Reissner-Mindlin plate theory considering the first-order shear-deformation effect, and including plate-foundation interaction and thermal effects. The analysis uses a deflection-type perturbation technique to determine the thermal buckling loads and postbuckling equilibrium paths. Numerical examples are presented that relate to the performances of perfect and imperfect, moderately thick plates resting on softening nonlinear elastic foundations. The effects played by foundation stiffness, transverse shear deformation, plate aspect ratio, thermal load ratio and initial geometrical imperfections are studied. Typical results are presented in dimensionless graphical form and exhibit interesting imperfection sensitivity.     

Thermo-Electro-Mechanical Buckling of Shear Deformable Hybrid Circular Functionally Graded Material Plates

Buckling analysis of perfect circular functionally graded plates with surface-bounded piezoelectric layers based on the first-order shear deformation theory is presented in this article. The material properties of the functionally graded (FG) layer are assumed to vary continuously through the plate thickness by distribution of power law of the volume fraction of the constituents. The plate is assumed to be under constant electrical field and two types of thermal loadings, namely, the uniform temperature rise and nonlinear temperature gradient through the thickness. Also, the stability of a plate under radial mechanical compressive force is examined. The equilibrium and stability equations are derived based on the first-order shear deformation plate theory using a variational approach. The boundary condition of the plate as an immovable type of the clamped edge is considered. Resulting equations are employed to obtain the closed-form solution for the critical buckling temperature for each loading case. The effects of electric field, piezo-to-host thickness ratio, and power law index of functionally graded plates subjected to thermo-mechanical-electrical loads are investigated. The results are compared with the classical plate theory and verified with the available data in the open literature.     

Hygro-thermo-mechanical effects on FGM plates resting on elastic foundations

A hygrothermal bending analysis is presented for a functionally graded material (FGM) plate resting on elastic foundations. The elastic coefficients, thermal coefficient and moisture expansion coefficient of the plate are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction. The equilibrium equations are given and a number of examples are solved to illustrate bending response of Titanium/Zirconia plates subjected to hygro-thermo-mechanical effects and resting on elastic foundations. The influences played by many parameters are investigated.     

Nonlinear dynamic response and vibration of imperfect shear deformable functionally graded plates subjected to blast and thermal loads

Based on Reddy's higher-order shear deformation plate theory, this article presents an analysis of the nonlinear dynamic response and vibration of imperfect functionally graded material (FGM) thick plates subjected to blast and thermal loads resting on elastic foundations. The material properties are assumed to be temperature-dependent and graded in the thickness direction according to a simple power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. Numerical results for the dynamic response and vibration of the FGM plates with two cases of boundary conditions are obtained by the Galerkin method and fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. The results show the effects of geometrical parameters, material properties, imperfections, temperature increment, elastic foundations, and boundary conditions on the nonlinear dynamic response and vibration of FGM plates.     

Thermal buckling of various types of FGM sandwich plates

The sinusoidal shear deformation plate theory is used to study the thermal buckling of functionally graded material (FGM) sandwich plates. This theory includes the shear deformation and contains the higher- and first-order shear deformation theories and classical plate theory as special cases. Material properties and thermal expansion coefficient of the sandwich plate faces 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 core layer is still homogeneous and made of an isotropic material. Several kinds of symmetric sandwich plates are presented. Stability equations of FGM sandwich plates include the thermal effects. The thermal loads are assumed to be uniform, linear and non-linear distribution through-the-thickness. Numerical examples cover the effects of the gradient index, plate aspect ratio, side-to-thickness ratio, loading type and sandwich plate type on the critical buckling for sandwich plates.