A new refined quasi-3d sinusoidal shear deformation theory for buckling analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates

Abstract

The prime aim of the present study is to present a new numerical approach and solutions for buckling analysis of the functionally graded sandwich plates (FGSP) using new refined quasi-3D sinusoidal shear deformation theory combined with the Moving Kriging-interpolation meshfree method. This theory does not require shear correction factors and transverse shear stresses vary sinusoidally across the thickness, furthermore it retains only four governing equations accounts for thickness stretching effects (e. -Í- 0). Comparison studies are performed to verify the validity of the present results from which it can be concluded that the proposed theory is accurate and efficient in predicting the buckling behaviour of FGSP. The effect of side-to-thickness ratio, aspect ratio, modulus ratio, the volume fraction exponent, and the loading conditions on the critical buckling load of FGSP is also investigated and discussed.