An electromechanical higher order model for piezoelectric functionally graded plates

Bidirectional flexure analysis of functionally graded (FG) plate integrated with piezoelectric fiber reinforced composites (PFRC) is presented in this paper. A higher order shear and normal deformation theory (HOSNT12) is used to analyze such hybrid or smart FG plate subjected to electromechanical loading. The displacement function of the present model is approximated as Taylor’s series in the thickness coordinate, while the electro-static potential is approximated as layer wise linear through the thickness of the PFRC layer. The equations of equilibrium are obtained using principle of minimum potential energy and solution is by Navier’s technique. Elastic constants are varying exponentially along thickness (z axis) for FG material while Poisson’s ratio is kept constant. PFRC actuator attached either at top or bottom of FG plate and analyzed under mechanical and coupled mechanical and electrical loading. Comparison of present HOSNT12 is made with exact and finite element method (FEM).