Thermal postbuckling of FGM cylindrical panels resting on elastic foundations

Thermal postbuckling analysis is presented for FGM cylindrical panels resting on elastic foundations. Heat conduction and temperature-dependent material properties are both taken into account. Material properties of functionally graded materials (FGMs) are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction based on Mori–Tanaka micromechanics model. The formulations are based on a higher order shear deformation theory and von Kármán strain displacement relationships. The panel–foundation interaction and thermal effects are also included. The governing equations are first deduced to a boundary layer type that includes nonlinear prebuckling deformation and initial geometric imperfection of the panel. Thermal postbuckling equilibrium paths are determined by using a singular perturbation technique along with a two-step perturbation approach. The effects of volume fraction index, foundation stiffness, panel curvature ratio on the thermal postbuckling behavior of FGM cylindrical panels are discussed in detail. The results reveal that the thermal postbuckling equilibrium path of FGM cylindrical panels with immovable simply supported edge conditions is no longer the bifurcation type for both uniform and non-uniform temperature variations.