Free vibration and flexural response of functionally graded plates resting on Winkler–Pasternak elastic foundations using nonpolynomial higher-order shear and normal deformation theory

In the present work, the flexural and vibration response of a functionally graded plate resting on Pasternak elastic foundation is analyzed using a recently developed nonpolynomial higher-order shear and normal deformation theory by the authors. The novelty of this theory is that it contains only four unknowns and also accommodates the thickness stretching effect. Two kinds of micromechanics models, namely, the Voigt and Mori–Tanaka models, are considered. Material properties of the functionally graded plates are assumed to vary continuously in the thickness direction according to either a simple power law or an exponential law. Finite element formulation is done using C° continuous Lagrangian quadrilateral nine-noded elements with eight degrees of freedom per node. The equations of motion are derived using a variational approach. Convergence and comparison studies are carried out to establish the authenticity and reliability of the solutions. The effect of various boundary conditions, geometric conditions, micromechanics models, and foundation parameters on the flexural and vibration response of the functionally graded plate are investigated.