Hygrothermo-mechanical buckling of FGM plates resting on elastic foundations using a quasi-3D model

Abstract

Hygrothermal and mechanical buckling responses of functionally graded (FG) plates resting on Winkler–Pasternak’s foundations are presented in this paper using a refined quasi-3D model. The effects due to transverse normal strain and shear deformation are both included. The present model exactly satisfies stress boundary conditions on the upper and lower surfaces of the FG plate without using shear correction factors. It is assumed that the material properties vary according to a power law of the thickness coordinate variable. The hygrothermal buckling equilibrium equations are derived from the principle of virtual work for FG plates resting on Winkler–Pasternak’s foundations with simply-supported boundary conditions. Two types of thermal and hygrothermal loading, uniform thermal and hygrothermal rise, linear thermal and hygrothermal distribution through the thickness are considered. Numerical results are presented to verify the accuracy of the present study. The effects played by Winkler–Pasternak’s parameters, plate aspect ratio, side-to-thickness ratio, gradient index, and loading type on the critical buckling of the FG plates are all investigated.