Buckling Analysis of Variable Thickness Radially Functionally Graded Annular Sector Plates Resting on Two-Parameter Elastic Foundations by the GDQ Method

In this paper, buckling analysis of thick radially functionally graded circular/annular sector plates with variable thickness resting on two-parameter elastic foundations is studied. The material properties vary along radial direction according to either an exponential or a power-law distribution. The stability equations are derived using the adjacent equilibrium criterion and are based on a higher order shear deformation theory. The generalized differential quadrature method is employed to discretize the stability equations and convert them into a system of algebraic eigenvalue problem. The formulation and method of solution are validated by performing comparison studies with the available results in the open literature. Then, the effects of power-law index, boundary conditions, thickness variation and coefficients of foundation on the critical buckling load of the circular/annular sector plates subjected to different types of in-plane compressions or in-plane shear are investigated in detail.