Buckling of Functionally Graded Circular/Annular Plates Based on the First-Order Shear Deformation Plate Theory

Based on the first-order shear deformation theory of plate, governing equations for the axisymmetric buckling of functionally graded circular/annular plates are derived. The coupled deflections and rotations in the pre-buckling state of the plates are neglected in analysis. The material properties vary continuously through the thickness of the plate, and obey a power law distribution of the volume fraction of the constituents. The resulting differential equations are numerically solved by using a shooting method. The critical buckling loads of circular and annular plates are obtained, which are compared with those obtained from the classical plate theory. Effects of material properties, ratio of inter to outer radius, ratio of plate thickness to outer radius, and boundary conditions on the buckling behavior of FGM plates are discussed.