Thermo-mechanical bending response with stretching effect of functionally graded sandwich plates using a novel shear deformation theory

This paper presents an analytical solution to the thermomechanical bending analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates by using a new hyperbolic shear deformation theory in which the stretching effect is included. The modulus of elasticity of plates is assumed to vary according to a power law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The core layer is still homogeneous and made of an isotropic ceramic material. The effects of functionally graded material (FGM) layer thickness, volume fraction index, layer thickness ratio, thickness ratio and aspect ratio on the deflections and stresses of functionally graded sandwich plates are investigated.