Finite element analysis of smart functionally graded plates

This paper deals with the derivation of a finite element model for the static analysis of functionally graded (FG) plates integrated with a layer of piezoelectric fiber reinforced composite (PFRC) material. The layer of PFRC material acts as the distributed actuator of the FG plates. The Young’s modulus of the FG plate is assumed to vary exponentially along the thickness of the plate while the Poisson’s ratio is assumed to be constant over the domain of the plate. The finite element model has been verified with the exact solutions for both thick and thin plates. Emphasis has been placed on investigating the effect of variation of piezoelectric fiber angle in the PFRC layer on its actuating capability of the FG plates. The finite element solutions also revealed that the activated PFRC layer is more effective in controlling the deformations of the FG plates when the layer is attached to the surface of the FG plate with minimum stiffness than when it is attached to the surface of the same with maximum stiffness.