BENDING OF FGM PLATES BY A SIMPLIFIED FOUR-UNKNOWN SHEAR AND NORMAL DEFORMATIONS THEORY

The bending response of FGM plates is presented based upon a simplified shear and normal deformations theory. The present simplified theory is accounted for an adequate distribution of transverse shear strains through the plate thickness and tangential stress-free on the plate surfaces. The effect of transverse normal strain is also included. The number of unknown functions involved here is only four as against six in case of other shear and normal deformations theories. The principle of virtual work is employed to derive the governing equations. A comparison with the corresponding results is made to check the accuracy and efficiency of the present theory. Additional results for all stresses are investigated through-the-thickness of the FGM plate.