Linear static analysis of Functionally Graded Plate using Spline Finite Strip Method

Spline Finite Strip Method has been found to be very efficient in the analysis of plates, shells and stiffened plates/shells for their linear static, linear stability, non-linear static, non-linear instability and vibration behaviour. The present work explores the extension of the Spline Finite Strip Method to the analysis of functionally graded material (FGM) plates. Here the modulus of elasticity of FGM plate varies along the thickness direction and the variation is idealised by power, sigmoid and exponential functions. The Poisson’s ratio of the FGM plate is assumed to be constant throughout the thickness direction. The analysis is done for moderately thin plates subjected to uniformly distributed, central concentrated and line loads and the deflections and stresses are obtained using the Classical Plate Theory. A comparative study of the three idealisation techniques is also done.