Flexural analysis of functionally graded sandwich plate by semi-analytical method

In this paper, semi-analytical method is developed to study the flexural response of simply supported functionally graded (FG) sandwich plates. The method is free from any ad-hoc assumptions on distribution of displacements and stresses through-the-thickness of plate. A set of first order partial differential equations (PDEs) involving fundamental variables is obtained through algebraic arrangement of constitutive equations of linear theory of elasticity. A set of partial differential equations is transformed into a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by expressing the fundamental variables in double Fourier series. The solution is based on first order differential equations (ODEs) with two-point boundary value problem which govern the 3D elasto-static behaviour of FGM sandwich plate under flexure. The FG material properties are assumed to vary according to power law in thickness direction. Poisson’s ratio is assumed to be constant. The influence of aspect ratio, planar aspect ratio, stacking sequence and loading conditions on flexural response of simply supported plate is examined. The results are compared with those of exact elasticity solution and shear deformation theories to establish the efficacy of the present method.