Thermal buckling of FGM plates based on two variable refined plate theory using bubble finite strip method

Thermal buckling analysis of functionally graded rectangular plates is presented in this study. The thermal loading are assumed to be uniform or with linear and non-linear distribution through the thickness of the plate. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the plate are assumed to vary according to a power law distribution of the volume fraction of constituents. The two variable refined plate theory, in conjunction with the bubble finite strip method (BFSM), is employed in the formulation. The theory accounts for a quadratic variation of transverse shear strains across the thickness of the plate and also satisfies the zero traction boundary conditions on the top and bottom surfaces of the plate. In comparison with the ordinary finite strip method, the convergence of the BFSM is very rapid due to using bubble shape functions. The efficiency of the present method is confirmed by comparing the results with those available in the literature.