Bending analysis of FGM plates using a sinusoidal shear deformation theory

The response of functionally graded ceramic-metal plates is investigated using theoretical formulation, Navier\'s solutions, and a new displacement based on the high-order shear deformation theory are presented for static analysis of functionally graded plates. The theory accounts for a quadratic variation of the transverse shear strains across the thickness, and satisfies the zero traction boundary conditions on the top and bottom surfaces of the plate without using shear correction factors. The plates are assumed to have isotropic, two-constituent material distribution through the thickness, and the modulus of elasticity of the plate is assumed to vary according to a power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. Numerical results of the new refined plate theory are presented to show the effect of the material distribution on the deflections, stresses and fundamental frequencies. It can be concluded that the proposed theory is accurate and simple in solving the static and free vibration behavior of functionally graded plates.