Non-linear analysis of functionally graded plates in cylindrical bending under thermomechanical loadings based on a layerwise theory

A layerwise theory is used to analyze analytically displacements and stresses in functionally graded composite plates in cylindrical bending subjected to thermomechanical loadings. 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. The non-linear strain–displacement relations in the von Kármán sense are used to study the effect of geometric non-linearity. The equilibrium equations are solved exactly and also by using a perturbation technique. Numerical results are presented to show the effect of the material distribution on the deflections and stresses.