In this research work, an exact analytical solution for thermal buckling analysis of functionally graded material (FGM) sandwich plates with clamped boundary condition subjected to uniform, linear, and non-linear temperature rises across the thickness direction is developed. Unlike any other theory, the number of unknown functions involved is only four, as against five in case of other shear deformation theories. The theory accounts for parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains, and satisfies the zero traction boundary conditions on the surfaces of the plate without using shear correction factor. A power law distribution is used to describe the variation of volume fraction of material compositions. Equilibrium and stability equations are derived based on the present refined theory. The non-linear governing equations are solved for plates subjected to simply supported and clamped boundary conditions. The thermal loads are assumed to be uniform, linear and non-linear distribution through-the-thickness. The effects of aspect and thickness ratios, gradient index, on the critical buckling are all discussed.
