Static and free vibration analyses of functionally graded sandwich plates using three dimensional theory of elasticity

In this study, static and free vibration behaviors of two type of sandwich plates based on the three dimensional theory of elasticity are investigated. The core layer of one type is functionally graded (FG) with the homogeneous face sheets where as in second type the core layer is isotropic with the face sheets FG material. Plate is under uniform pressure at the top surface and free from traction in the bottom surface. The effective material properties of FG layers are estimated to vary continuously through the thickness direction according to a power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. State space differential equations are obtained from equilibrium equations and constitutive relations. The obtained governing differential equations are solved by using Fourier series expansion along the in plane directions and state space technique across the thickness direction. Accuracy and exactness of the present approach is validated by comparing the numerical results with the published results. Furthermore it is possible to validate the exactness of the conventional two dimensional theories. Finally the influences of volume fraction, width-to-thickness ratios and aspect ratio on the vibration and static behaviors of plate are investigated.