Stability analysis of a thick piezoelectric FGM plate

Abstract

This paper investigates the stability analysis of plates made of functionally graded material (FGM) and subjected to electro-mechanical loading. A thick square FGM plate with piezoelectric actuator and sensor at top and bottom face is considered. The material properties are assumed to be graded along the thickness direction according to simple power-law distribution in terms of the volume fraction of the constituents, while the Poisson's ratio is assumed to be constant. The plate is simply supported at all edges. Using first order (FOST) and higher order shear deformation theories (HOST12), the finite element model is derived with von-Karman hypothesis and as a degenerated shell element. The displacement component of the present model is expanded in Taylor's series in terms of thickness co-ordinate. The governing equilibrium equation is obtained by using the principle of minimum potential energy and the solution for critical buckling load is obtained by solving the eigen value problem. The stability analysis of piezoelectric FG plate is carried out to present the effect of power law index and applied mechanical pressure. Results reveal that buckling strength increases with an increase in volume fraction. It can also be improved using piezo effects. The present analysis is carried out on newly introduced metal based FGM which is a mixture of aluminum and stainless steel which exhibits corrosion resistance as well as high strength property in a single material. Keyword: functionally graded material, finite element method, piezoelectric material, FOST, HOST12, eigen value problem,