Nonlinear thermal analysis of functionally graded material plates using a NURBS based isogeometric approach

In the present investigation, static, thermo-mechanical buckling and free vibration analysis of functionally graded materials based on isogeometric approach and higher-order shear deformation plate theory is presented. Since the higher-order NURBS is well-suited for describing the exact geometry and providing C1-continuity, so they are used as basis functions in HSDT model and the shear locking problem does not exist in the stiffness formulation. The effective material properties of FGM plates are assumed to be temperature-dependent or temperature-independent and vary continuously through the thickness according to a simple power law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. Behavior of FGM plates according to linear or nonlinear temperature distribution through the thickness subjected to mechanical loads is studied. The effects of aspect ratio, volume fraction index on the critical loads and temperatures are also considered. Free vibration analysis is presented and the influence of temperature rise on dynamic response are investigated. Several numerical examples are presented to show the performance of the method, and the results obtained are compared with other available ones.