Proper Generalized Decomposition for Parametric Study and Material Distribution Design of Multi-Directional Functionally Graded Plates Based on 3D Elasticity Solution

The use of mesh-based numerical methods for a 3D elasticity solution of thick plates involves high computational costs. This particularly limits parametric studies and material distribution design problems because they need a large number of independent simulations to evaluate the effects of material distribution and optimization. In this context, in the current work, the Proper Generalized Decomposition (PGD) technique is adopted to overcome this difficulty and solve the 3D elasticity problems in a high-dimensional parametric space. PGD is an a priori model order reduction technique that reduces the solution of 3D partial differential equations into a set of 1D ordinary differential equations, which can be solved easily. Moreover, PGD makes it possible to perform parametric solutions in a unified and efficient manner. In the present work, some examples of a parametric elasticity solution and material distribution design of multi-directional FGM composite thick plates are presented after some validation case studies to show the applicability of PGD in such problems.

Thermal buckling analysis of cross-ply plates based on new displacement field

A higher-order displacement field is used for the analysis of the thermal buckling of composite plates subjected to thermal load; it is based on a constant ‘‘m’’, which is optimized to get results relatively close to those given by 3D elasticity theory. Adequate transverse shear strains distribution through the thickness and free stress surfaces of the plate is satisfied using this theory. Hamilton’s principle is used to derive equations of motion, which are solved using Navier-type series for simply supported plates. Thermal buckling of cross-ply laminates with various (α2 / α1) ratios, number of layers, aspect ratios, E1/E2 ratios, and stacking sequence for thick and thin plates is studied in detail. It is concluded that the obtained results using this displacement field are close to those calculated by 3D elasticity theory and other shear deformation plate theories when m=0.05.

Nonlinear Forced Vibration Analysis of FG Cylindrical Nanopanels Based on Mindlin’s Strain Gradient Theory and 3D Elasticity

A numerical approach is used herein to study the primary resonant dynamics of functionally graded (FG) cylindrical nanoscale panels taking the strain gradient effects into consideration. The basic relations of the paper are written based upon Mindlin’s strain gradient theory (SGT) and three-dimensional (3D) elasticity. Since the formulation is developed using Mindlin’s SGT, it is possible to reduce it to simpler size-dependent theories including modified forms of couple stress and strain gradient theories (MCST & MSGT). The governing equations is derived and directly discretized via the variational differential quadrature technique. Then, a numerical solution technique is employed to study the nonlinear resonance response of nanopanels with various edge conditions under a harmonic load. The impacts of length scale parameter, material and geometrical parameters on the frequency–response curves of nanopanels are investigated. In addition, comparisons are provided between the predictions of MSGT, MCST and the classical elasticity theory.