Elasticity solutions for a uniformly loaded annular plate of functionally graded materials

The axisymmetric problem of a functionally graded annular plate is considered by extending the theory of functionally graded materials plates suggested by Mian and Spencer (1998). In particular, their expansion formula for displacements is adopted and the hypothesis that the material parameters can vary along the thickness direction in an arbitrary continuous fashion is retained. However, their analysis is extended here in two aspects. First, the material is assumed to be transversely isotropic, rather than isotropic. Second, the plate is no longer tractions-free on the top and bottom surfaces, but subject to uniform loads applied on the surfaces. The elasticity solutions are given for a uniformly loaded annular plate of functionally graded materials for a total of six different boundary conditions. Numerical results are given for a simply supported functionally graded annular plate, and good agreement with those by the classical plate theory is obtained.