Functionally Graded Sandwich Plate Analysis

Functionally graded sandwich plates combine the high stiffness and strength of sandwich constructions with the tailored material gradation of functionally graded materials (FGMs). In these structures, the gradual variation of constituent phases through the thickness permits smooth transitions of mechanical and thermal properties, reducing stress concentrations and enhancing resistance to bending, vibration and buckling. Analytical, semi-analytical and numerical approaches have been developed to predict static bending, free and transient vibration, buckling and thermo-mechanical responses of these plates. Theoretical frameworks range from equivalent single layer (ESL) theories and refined shear deformation theories to layerwise and three-dimensional elasticity models. Key parameters include the volume fraction gradient index, core-to-face thickness ratio, porosity distribution, temperature field and boundary conditions. Applications span aerospace panels subjected to thermal cycling, civil infrastructure elements on elastic foundations and defence components under blast and mechanical loading. Recent advances emphasise unified modelling of thermal and mechanical effects, efficient spectral and finite element algorithms, and comprehensive parametric studies that guide the optimal design of graded sandwich systems for diverse engineering environments.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Research from all publishers

Researchers have derived an analytical solution for the free vibration of FGM sandwich plates in thermal environments using an ESL plate theory with four variables and the Navier method. This work examines plates with graded facesheets and homogeneous core or vice versa, and highlights how volume fraction distribution, geometric ratios and temperature increments influence natural frequencies under simply supported conditions.

A finite element model based on a new hyperbolic shear deformation theory has been developed to investigate static bending, free vibration and buckling of FGM sandwich plates with porosity. The algorithm, implemented in MATLAB, captures the effects of gradient index, porosity and core-to-face thickness ratio on mechanical behaviour, and demonstrates excellent agreement with existing solutions for arbitrary geometries and boundary conditions.

A unified transient vibration analysis for FGM sandwich plates in thermal fields has been established using a further refined zigzag plate theory. Temperature- and position-dependent properties are incorporated, and the method of reverberation ray matrix (MRRM) with artificial spring technology is employed to obtain transient responses for general boundary conditions. Parametric studies reveal the roles of boundary stiffness, gradient index, layer ratios and thermal loads on dynamic behaviour.

Functionally Graded Sandwich Plate Analysis publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in functionally graded sandwich plate analysis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Functionally graded material (FGM): A composite in which the composition and properties vary continuously through the thickness, enabling tailored mechanical and thermal performance.

Sandwich plate: A layered structure comprising two stiff face sheets bonded to a lightweight core, offering high stiffness‐to‐weight and strength‐to‐weight ratios.

Equivalent single layer (ESL) theory: A modelling approach that represents a multi‐layer or graded plate as one homogeneous layer with effective through‐thickness kinematics.

Shear deformation theory: A family of plate theories that account for transverse shear strains, enhancing accuracy for thick plates compared with classical plate theory.

Zigzag plate theory: A refined layerwise theory in which in‐plane displacements vary piecewise linearly across layers, ensuring shear continuity and improved stress predictions.

References

1. Nonlinear transient analysis of functionally graded sandwich spherical shells subjected to blast loading in the thermal environment. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (2023).
2. Free vibration of functionally graded sandwich plates in thermal environments. International Journal of Mechanical System Dynamics (2023).
3. Finite element analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates with porosity via a new hyperbolic shear deformation theory. Defence Technology (2022).
4. A Unified Transient Vibration Analysis of FGM Sandwich Plates in Thermal Environment Based on a Further Refined Zigzag Plate Theory. International Journal of Structural Stability and Dynamics (2022).
5. Three-Dimensional Vibration Analysis of a Functionally Graded Sandwich Rectangular Plate Resting on an Elastic Foundation Using a Semi-Analytical Method. Materials (2019).
6. Buckling Analysis of Functionally Graded Sandwich Plates under Both Mechanical and Thermal Loads. Materials (2021).