Layerwise finite element approach for the bending analysis of Bi-Directional functionally graded layered plates

In this paper, layerwise finite element analysis for the bending behavior of two-dimensional functionally graded layered plates with different boundary conditions is presented. The plates consist of three layers; a functionally graded layer embedded between ceramic and metal isotropic layers. The layerwise approach is based on the third-order shear deformation theory for the middle layer, while the first-order shear deformation theory is used for both the upper and lower isotropic layers. A quadrilateral 8-noded element with 13-degrees of freedom per node is used for this purpose. The present results show very good agreements with the published results for similar problems in literature solved by other methods of plates consist of either single or layered functionally graded plates.