Stress Analysis of Two Directional FGM Moderately Thick Constrained Circular Plates with Non-uniform Load and Substrate Stiffness Distributions

In the present paper, bending and stress analyses of two-directional functionally graded (FG) circular plates resting on non-uniform two-parameter foundations (Winkler-Pasternak foundations) are investigated using a first-order shear-deformation theory. To enhance the accuracy of the results, the transverse stress components are derived based on the three dimensional theory of elasticity. The solution is obtained by employing the differential transform method (DTM). The material properties are assumed to vary in both transverse and radial directions according to power and exponential laws, respectively. Intensity of the transverse load is considered to vary according to a second-order polynomial. The performed convergence analysis and the comparative studies demonstrate the high accuracy and high convergence rate of the approach. A sensitivity analysis consisting of evaluating effects of different parameters (e.g., exponents of the material properties, thickness to radius ratio, trend of variations of the foundation stiffness, and edge conditions) is carried out. Results reveal that in contrast to the available constitutive-law-based solutions, present solution guarantees continuity of the transverse stresses at the interfaces between layers and may also be used for stress analysis of the sandwich panels. The results are reported for the first time and are discussed in detail.