Nonlinear stability of shear deformable eccentrically stiffened functionally graded plates on elastic foundations with temperature-dependent properties

Abstract

This article investigates the nonlinear stability of eccentrically stiffened moderately thick plates made of functionally graded materials (FGM) subjected to in-plane compressive, thermo-mechanical loads. The equilibrium and compatibility equations for the moderately thick plates are derived by using the first-order shear deformation theory of plates, taking into account both the geometrical nonlinearity in the von Karman sense and initial geometrical imperfections, temperature-dependent properties with Pasternak type elastic foundations. By applying the Galerkin method and using a stress function, the effects of material and geometrical properties, temperature-dependent material properties, elastic foundations, boundary conditions, and eccentric stiffeners on the buckling and post-buckling loading capacity of the eccentrically stiffened moderately thick FGM plates in thermal environments are analyzed and discussed.