The elasto-plastic impact analysis of functionally graded circular plates under low-velocities

In this study, three-dimensional elasto-plastic analysis of functionally graded (FG) circular plates under low-velocity impact loads is presented. The FG circular plate is composed of ceramic (SiC) and metal (Al) phases, varying in a predetermined fashion through the plate thickness. The elasto-plastic behaviour of the FG circular plate is described by the TTO model. In the analyses, the ceramic phase is taken to be an isotropic elastic material whereas the metal phase is taken to be elasto-plastic material in accordance with the TTO model. The locally effective material properties were evaluated using homogenization method which is based on the Mori–Tanaka scheme. The effects of compositional gradient exponent and impactor velocity on the elasto-plastic impact response of the FG circular plates are investigated, and results are presented graphical form. The compositional gradient exponent and impactor velocity have significant effects on the elasto-plastic impact response of the FG circular plates. The elasto-plastic impact response of FG circular plates is similar to those of homogeneous plates. Therefore, the TTO model can be used to describe the mechanical behaviour of FG plates beyond the elastic range, assuming that the material response is essentially governed by the spreading of plasticity in the metal phase.