Bending and free vibration analysis of functionally graded plates using new eight-unknown shear deformation theory by finite-element method

In this paper, a new eight-unknown shear deformation theory is developed for bending and free vibration analysis of functionally graded plates by finite-element method. The theory based on full 12-unknown higher order shear deformation theory simultaneously satisfies zeros transverse stresses at top and bottom surfaces of FG plates. A four-node rectangular element with 16 degrees of freedom per node is used. Poisson’s ratios, Young’s moduli, and material densities vary continuously in thickness direction according to the volume fraction of constituents which is modeled as power-law functions. Results are verified with available results in the literature. Parametric studies are performed for different power-law indices, side-to-thickness ratios.