Buckling analysis of functionally graded annular sector plates resting on elastic foundations

Abstract

In this study, an analytical solution for the buckling of a functionally graded annular sector plate resting on an elastic foundation is presented. The buckling analysis of the functionally graded annular sector plate is investigated for two typical, Winkler and Pasternak, elastic foundations. The equilibrium and stability equations are derived according to the Kirchhoff's plate theory using the energy method. In order to decouple the highly coupled stability equations, two new functions are introduced. The decoupled equations are solved analytically for a plate having simply supported boundary conditions on two radial edges. Satisfying the boundary conditions on the circular edges of the plate yields an eigenvalue problem for finding the critical buckling load. Extensive results pertaining to critical buckling load are presented and the effects of boundary conditions, volume fraction, annularity, plate thickness, and elastic foundation are studied.