Thermal postbuckling and vibration analyses of functionally graded plates

Thermal postbuckling and vibration behaviors of the functionally graded (FG) plate are investigated. The material properties of the FG plate are assumed to vary continuously through the thickness of the plate and as temperature with the nonlinearity. The nonlinear finite element equations based on the first-order shear deformation plate theory are formulated for the FG plate. The von Karman nonlinear strain–displacement relationship is used to account for the large deflection of the plate. The incremental form considering the initial displacement and initial stress is adopted for the nonlinear temperature-dependent material properties of the functionally graded material. The numerical result shows the characteristics of the thermal postbuckling and vibration of the FG plate in the pre- and post-buckled regions.