Rotation-free isogeometric analysis of functionally graded thin plates considering in-plane material inhomogeneity

We present a rotation free isogeometric analysis formulation based on Kirchhoff-Love theory, which aims to address free vibration and buckling behaviors of functionally graded thin plates with in-plane material inhomogeneity. For Kirchhoff-Love thin plate analysis, construction of C1 conforming finite element approximation is not straightforward, while isogeometric analysis with high-order continuity splines basis functions is ideally suited for Kirchhoff-Love elements. We first explain the formulations and then provide verification of the present method through numerical examples. Studies on convergence and comparison with reference solutions are demonstrated to show the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method. Effects on natural frequencies, critical buckling loads and mode shapes originated from the material inhomogeneity and boundary conditions are numerically investigated.