A refined FSDT for the static analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates

• This paper presents a refined first shear deformation theory (FSDT).
• This theory contains only four unknowns, with is even less than the classical FSDT.
• This paper presents the bending analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates.
• The present theory presents good accuracy when comparing it with various available solutions in the literature.

This paper presents a static analysis of functionally graded plates (FGPs) by using a new first shear deformation theory (FSDT). This theory contains only four unknowns, with is even less than the classical FSDT. In this paper a simply supported FG square sandwich plate is subjected to a bi-sinusoidal load. The governing equations for static bending analysis are derived by employing the principle of virtual works. These equations are then solved via Navier-type, closed form solutions. The accuracy of the present theory is ascertained by comparing it with various available solutions in the literature.