• International journal of steel structures
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1265-1283
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• 2018

This paper presents a four-variable first-order shear deformation theory considering in-plane rotation of functionally graded plates. In recent studies, a simple first-order shear deformation theory was developed and extended to functionally graded plates. It has only four variables, separating the deflection into bending and shear parts, while the conventional first-order shear deformation theory has five variables. However, this simple first-order shear deformation theory only provides good predictions for simply supported plates since it does not consider in-plane rotation varying through the thickness of the plates. The present theory also has four variables, but considers the variation of in-plane rotation such that it is able to correctly predict the responses of the plates with any boundary conditions. Analytical solutions are obtained for rectangular plates with various boundary conditions. Comparative studies demonstrate the effects of in-plane rotation and the accuracy of the present theory in predicting the responses of functionally graded plates.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.257-276
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• 2016

In this paper, a new simple higher-order shear deformation theory for bending and free vibration analysis of functionally graded (FG) plates is developed. The significant feature of this formulation is that, in addition to including a sinusoidal variation of transverse shear strains through the thickness of the plate, it deals with only three unknowns as the classical plate theory (CPT), instead of five as in the well-known first shear deformation theory (FSDT) and higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT). A shear correction factor is, therefore, not required. Equations of motion are derived from Hamilton's principle. Analytical solutions for the bending and free vibration analysis are obtained for simply supported plates. The accuracy of the present solutions is verified by comparing the obtained results with those predicted by classical theory, first-order shear deformation theory, and higher-order shear deformation theory. Verification studies show that the proposed theory is not only accurate and simple in solving the bending and free vibration behaviours of FG plates, but also comparable with the other higher-order shear deformation theories which contain more number of unknowns.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.671-690
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• 2016

This work presents a static flexure analysis of laminated composite plates by utilizing a higher order shear deformation theory in which the stretching effect is incorporated. The axial displacement field utilizes sinusoidal function in terms of thickness coordinate to consider the transverse shear deformation influence. The cosine function in thickness coordinate is employed in transverse displacement to introduce the influence of transverse normal strain. The highlight of the present method is that, in addition to incorporating the thickness stretching effect (${\varepsilon}_z{\neq}0$), the displacement field is constructed with only 5 unknowns, as against 6 or more in other higher order shear and normal deformation theory. Governing equations of the present theory are determined by employing the principle of virtual work. The closed-form solutions of simply supported cross-ply and angle-ply laminated composite plates have been obtained using Navier solution. The numerical results of present method are compared with those of the classical plate theory (CPT), first order shear deformation theory (FSDT), higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT) of Reddy, higher order shear and normal deformation theory (HSNDT) and exact three dimensional elasticity theory wherever applicable. The results predicted by present theory are in good agreement with those of higher order shear deformation theory and the elasticity theory. It can be concluded that the proposed method is accurate and simple in solving the static bending response of laminated composite plates.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.49-63
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• 2017

This paper presents an original hyperbolic (first present model) and parabolic (second present model) shear and normal deformation theory for the bending analysis to account for the effect of thickness stretching in functionally graded sandwich plates. Indeed, the number of unknown functions involved in these presents theories is only five, as opposed to six or even greater numbers in the case of other shear and normal deformation theories. The present theory accounts for both shear deformation and thickness stretching effects by a hyperbolic variation of ail displacements across the thickness and satisfies the stress-free boundary conditions on the upper and lower surfaces of the plate without requiring any shear correction factor. It is evident from the present analyses; the thickness stretching effect is more pronounced for thick plates and it needs to be taken into consideration in more physically realistic simulations. The numerical results are compared with 3D exact solution, quasi-3-dimensional solutions and with other higher-order shear deformation theories, and the superiority of the present theory can be noticed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.867-891
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• 2014

An equivalent single layer trigonometric shear deformation theory taking into account transverse shear deformation effect as well as transverse normal strain effect is presented for static flexure of cross-ply laminated composite and sandwich plates. The inplane displacement field uses sinusoidal function in terms of thickness coordinate to include the transverse shear deformation effect. The cosine function in thickness coordinate is used in transverse displacement to include the effect of transverse normal strain. The kinematics of the present theory is much richer than those of the other higher order shear deformation theories, because if the trigonometric term (involving thickness coordinate z) is expanded in power series, the kinematics of higher order theories (which are usually obtained by power series in thickness coordinate z) are implicitly taken into account to good deal of extent. Governing equations and boundary conditions of the theory are obtained using the principle of virtual work. The closed-form solutions of simply supported cross-ply laminated composite and sandwich plates have been obtained. The results of present theory are compared with those of the classical plate theory (CPT), first order shear deformation theory (FSDT), higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT) of Reddy and exact three dimensional elasticity theory wherever applicable. The results predicted by present theory are in good agreement with those of higher order shear deformation theory and the elasticity theory.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.311-324
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• 2017

In this paper a new eight-unknown higher order shear deformation theory is proposed for functionally graded (FG) material plates. The theory based on full twelve-unknown higher order shear deformation theory, simultaneously satisfy zeros transverse stresses at top and bottom surface of FG plates. Equations of motion are derived from principle of virtual displacement. Exact closed-form solutions are obtained for simply supported rectangular FG plates under uniform loading. The accuracy of present numerical results has been verified by comparing it with generalized shear deformation theory. The effect of power law index of functionally graded material, side-to-thickness ratio, and aspect ratio on static behavior of FG plates is investigated.

• International Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2016

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are becoming very popular in various industries due to their effectiveness of the utilization of their constituent elements. However, the modelling of these materials is difficult due to the complex nature of variation of material properties across the thickness. Many shear deformation theories have been developed and employed for the analysis of such functionally graded plates (FGPs). A recently developed inverse hyperbolic shear deformation theory has been successfully employed by Grover et al. [1] for the analysis of laminated composites and sandwich plates. The objective of the study is to obtain finite element solution for the structural analysis of functionally graded plates using inverse hyperbolic shear deformation theory. Finite element analysis facilitates the analysis of complex problems such as functionally graded plates with different boundary conditions and different loadings.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.121-132
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• 2018

This research investigates the free vibration analysis of advanced composite plates such as functionally graded plates (FGPs) resting on a two-parameter elastic foundations using a hybrid quasi-3D (trigonometric as well as polynomial) higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT). This present theory, which does not require shear correction factor, accounts for shear deformation and thickness stretching effects by a sinusoidal and parabolic variation of all displacements across the thickness. Governing equations of motion for FGM plates are derived from Hamilton's principle. The closed form solutions are obtained by using Navier technique, and natural frequencies are found, for simply supported plates, by solving the results of eigenvalue problems. The accuracy of the present method is verified by comparing the obtained results with First-order shear deformation theory, and other predicted by quasi-3D higher-order shear deformation theories. It can be concluded that the proposed theory is efficient and simple in predicting the natural frequencies of functionally graded plates on elastic foundations.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.311-325
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• 2018

This article presents the bending analysis of FGM rectangular plates resting on non-uniform elastic foundations in thermal environment. Theoretical formulations are based on a recently developed refined shear deformation theory. The displacement field of the present theory is chosen based on nonlinear variations in the in-plane displacements through the thickness of the plate. The present theory satisfies the free transverse shear stress conditions on the top and bottom surfaces of the plate without using shear correction factor. Unlike the conventional trigonometric shear deformation theory, the present refined shear deformation theory contains only four unknowns as against five in case of other shear deformation theories. The material properties of the functionally graded plates are assumed to vary continuously through the thickness, according to a simple power law distribution of the volume fraction of the constituents. The elastic foundation is modeled as non-uniform foundation. The results of the shear deformation theories are compared together. Numerical examples cover the effects of the gradient index, plate aspect ratio, side-to-thickness ratio and elastic foundation parameters on the thermo-mechanical behavior of functionally graded plates. Numerical results show that the present theory can archive accuracy comparable to the existing higher order shear deformation theories that contain more number of unknowns.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.85-104
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• 2013

The present work deals with the thermomechanical bending response of functionally graded plates resting on Winkler-Pasternak elastic foundations. Theoretical formulations are based on a recently developed refined trigonometric shear deformation theory (RTSDT). The theory accounts for trigonometric distribution of transverse shear stress, and satisfies the free transverse shear stress conditions on the top and bottom surfaces of the plate without using shear correction factor. Unlike the conventional trigonometric shear deformation theory, the present refined trigonometric shear deformation theory contains only four unknowns as against five in case of other shear deformation theories. The material properties of the functionally graded plates are assumed to vary continuously through the thickness, according to a simple power law distribution of the volume fraction of the constituents. The elastic foundation is modelled as two-parameter Pasternak foundation. The results of the shear deformation theories are compared together. Numerical examples cover the effects of the gradient index, plate aspect ratio, side-to-thickness ratio and elastic foundation parameters on the thermomechanical behavior of functionally graded plates. It can be concluded that the proposed theory is accurate and efficient in predicting the thermomechanical bending response of functionally graded plates.