Thermo-elastic analysis of a functionally graded thick sphere by differential quadrature method

Thermo-elastic analysis of a functionally graded hollow sphere is carried out and numerical solutions of displacement, stress and thermal fields are obtained using the Polynomial differential quadrature (PDQ) method. Material properties are assumed to be graded in the radial direction according to a power law function, however the Poisson’s ratio is assumed to be constant. The governing partial differential equations are obtained in terms of displacement and temperature fields and expressed in the form of series equations. A comparison of numerical results with the analytical and finite element results is presented that shows an excellent agreement. The effect of the material grading parameter, temperature variation and thickness of the sphere on the distribution of stress, radial displacement and temperature fields is investigated.