Bending analysis of smart functionally graded plate using the state-space approach

This study uses the state-space approach to study the bending behavior of Levy-type functionally graded (FG) plates sandwiched between two piezoelectric layers. The coupled governing equations are obtained using Hamilton's principle and Maxwell's equation based on the efficient four-variable refined plate theory. The partial differential equations (PDEs) are converted using Levy's solution technique to ordinary differential equations (ODEs). In the context of the state-space method, the higher-order ODEs are simplified to a system of first-order equations and then solved. The results are compared with those reported in available references and those obtained from Abaqus FE simulations, and good agreements between results confirm the accuracy and efficiency of the approach. Also, the effect of different parameters such as power-law index, aspect ratio, type of boundary conditions, thickness-to-side ratio, and piezoelectric thickness are studied.