Nonlinear transient and thermal analysis of functionally graded shells using a seven-parameter shell finite element

Abstract In this paper the thermo-mechanical response of functionally graded plates and shells is studied using a continuum shell finite element model with high-order spectral/hp basis functions. The shell element is based on the seven-parameter first-order shear deformation theory, and it does not utilize reduced integration or stabilization ideas and yet exhibits no locking. The static and dynamic response of functionally graded shells, with power-law variation of the constituents, under mechanical and thermal loads is investigated by varying the volume fraction of the constituents. Numerical results for deflections and stresses are presented and compared with available analytical and finite element results from the literature. The performance of the shell element for transient thermal problems is found to be excellent.