Investigating nonlinear thermal stability response of functionally graded plates using a new and simple HSDT

In this research work, nonlinear thermal buckling behavior of functionally graded (FG) plates is explored based a new higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT). The present model has just four unknowns, by using a new supposition of the displacement field which enforces undetermined integral variables. A shear correction factor is, thus, not necessary. A power law distribution is employed to express the disparity of volume fraction of material distributions. Three kinds of thermal loading, namely, uniform, linear, and nonlinear and temperature rises over z-axis direction are examined. The non-linear governing equations are resolved for plates subjected to simply supported boundary conditions at the edges. The results are approved with those existing in the literature. Impacts of various parameters such as aspect and thickness ratios, gradient index, type of thermal load rising, on the non-dimensional thermal buckling load are all examined.