Buckling of thick functionally graded plates based on the higher order shear and normal deformation theories

In this paper, buckling analysis of thick functionally graded rectangular plates is investigated based on the higher-order shear and normal deformable plate theory. According to this theory, all three displacement components are expanded by Legendre function of thickness direction. Stability equations are obtained using the principle of minimum total potential energy and the adjacent equilibrium criterion. Finally the stability equations are solved analytically for a plate with all edges simply supported using Navier solution and the critical buckling load is obtained. Comparing the results shows a good accuracy of the presented solution. Consequently, the effects of loading conditions, aspect ratio, thickness and material properties on the critical buckling load are investigated in detail.