Dynamic response of initially stressed functionally graded rectangular thin plates

Abstract This paper deals with the dynamic response of initially stressed functionally graded rectangular thin plates subjected to partially distributed impulsive lateral loads and without or resting on an elastic foundation. Material properties are assumed to be temperature-dependent, and graded in the thickness direction according to a simple power law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The plate is assumed to be clamped on two opposite edges and the remaining two edges may be simply supported or clamped or may have elastic rotational edge constraints. The formulations are based on classical small deflection plate theory, and account for the plate–foundation interaction effects by a two-parameter model (Pasternak-type). A one-dimensional differential quadrature approximation and the Galerkin procedure are employed in the free vibration analysis, and the Modal Superposition Method is used to determine the transient response of the plate structure. A parametric study is carried out. Effects of constituent volume fraction index, foundation stiffness, plate aspect ratio, the shape and duration of impulsive load, as well as the initial membrane stresses on the dynamic response of FGM plates are studied. Comprehensive numerical results for silicon nitride/stainless steel rectangular plates are presented in dimensionless tabular and graphical forms.