Vibration analysis of FG rotating plate using nonlinear-FEM

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the linear and non-linear free vibration of a functionally graded material (FGM) rotating cantilever plate in the thermal environment. The study employs the development of a non-linear mathematical model using the higher order shear deformation theory in which the traction free condition is applied to derive the simplified displacement model with seven field variables instead of nine. Design/methodology/approach A mathematical model is developed based on the higher order shear deformation theory using von-Karman type non-linearity. The rotating plate domain has been discretized into C0 eight-noded quadratic serendipity elements with node wise 7 degrees of freedom. The material properties are considered temperature dependent and graded along the thickness direction obeying a simple power law distribution in terms of the volume fraction of constituents, based on Voigt's micromechanical method. The governing equations are derived using Hamilton's principle and are solved using the direct iterative method. Findings The importance of the present mathematical model developed for numerical analysis has been stated through the comparison studies. The results provide an insight into the vibration response of FGM rotating plate under thermal environment. The influence of various parameters like setting angle, volume fraction index, hub radius, rotation speed parameter, aspect ratio, side-thickness ratio and temperature gradient on linear and non-linear frequency parameters is discussed in detail. Originality/value A non-linear mathematical model is newly developed based on C0 continuity for the functionally graded rotating plate considering the 1D Fourier equation of heat conduction. The present findings can be utilized for the design of rotating plates made up of a FGM in the thermal environment under real-life situations.