BUCKLING ANALYSIS OF THIN FUNCTIONALLY GRADED RECTANGULAR PLATES WITH TWO OPPOSITE EDGES SIMPLY SUPPORTED

Abstract In this article, an exact analytical solution for thermal buckling analysis of thin functionally graded (FG) rectangular plates is presented. Based on the classical plate theory and using the principle of minimum total potential energy, the stability equations are obtained. Since the material properties in FG materials are functions of the coordinates (specially the thickness), the stability equations are coupled in terms of in-plane and out-of plane displacements. Introducing a new analytical method, the coupled stability equations are converted into independent equations. It is assumed that the plate is simply supported on two opposite edges and has arbitrary boundary conditions along the other edges, so the Levy solution is considered. Two types of thermal loads, uniform and non-linear temperature rise through the thickness are considered as the loading conditions. Finally, the effect of aspect ratio, thickness to side ratio, index of FGM and boundary conditions on the critical buckling temperature of FG rectangular plates are discussed in details.