Large deflection behavior of functionally graded plates under pressure loads

Large deflection analysis of rectangular functionally graded plates is studied in this paper. It is assumed that the mechanical properties of the plate, graded through the thickness, are described by a simple power law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of constituents. The plate is assumed to be under pressure load. The fundamental equations for rectangular plates of FGM are obtained using the Von-Karman theory for large deflection and the solution is obtained by minimization of the total potential energy. Numerical results for rectangular functionally graded plates are given in dimensionless graphical forms. The effects of material properties on the stress field through the thickness are determined and discussed.