Static analysis of four-parameter functionally graded plates with general boundary conditions

In this study, the Ritz variational method is used to analyze and solve the bending problem of rectangular functionally graded material plate with general boundary conditions and subject to some types of load distribution over the entire plate domain. Based on the Kirchoff plate theory, the equilibrium equations are obtained by minimizing the total potential energy. The material properties are assumed to be graded through the thickness of the plates according to a power law with four parameters. The accuracy of the solution has been checked and validated through different comparisons to that available literature. A wide variety of examples have been carried out to reveal the influences of different geometrical parameters, FGM power law index, type of load distribution and boundary conditions on the bending responses of the plates. The results show that the gradients in material properties play an important role in determining the response of the FGM plates.Keywords: FGM; Kirchhoff plate; Ritz method; boundary conditions.