Abstract
Finite element formulation for the thermal buckling of moderately thick rectangular functionally graded material (FGM) plates is developed. This is based on the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT). One dimensional heat conduction equation is employed to represent the non-uniform temperature distribution across thickness of the FGM plate. Material properties of the plate are considered to be function of temperature. It is assumed that the material properties of the FGM plate vary as a power function along the plate thickness. Finite element code is developed and computation of critical thermal buckling temperature of the FGM plates is carried out. This computer program is validated with the results available in the literature. Further, finite element analysis is carried out to determine the thermal buckling of rectangular FGM plates with circular cutout. Uniform and non uniform temperature distributions across the plate thickness are considered. Further, effects of (i) plate aspect ratio, (ii) plate thickness to side ratio, (iii) power index ’k’ (iv) size of the cutout and (v) the three different boundary conditions on the critical buckling temperature are studied.