Buckling Analysis of Thin Functionally Graded Rectangular Plates with two Opposite Edges Simply Supported

Abstract

In this article, an exact analytical solution for thermal buckling analysis of thin functionallygraded (FG) rectangular plates is presented. Based on the classical plate theory and using the principle ofminimum total potential energy, the stability equations are obtained. Since the material properties in FGmaterials are functions of the coordinates (specially the thickness), the stability equations are coupled interms of in-plane and out-of plane displacements. Introducing a new analytical method, the coupledstability equations are converted into independent equations. It is assumed that the plate is simplysupported on two opposite edges and has arbitrary boundary conditions along the other edges, so theLevy solution is considered. Two types of thermal loads, uniform and non-linear temperature risethrough the thickness are considered as the loading conditions. Finally, the effect of aspect ratio,thickness to side ratio, index of FGM and boundary conditions on the critical buckling temperature ofFG rectangular plates are discussed in details.