Dynamic response of functionally graded plates in thermal environment under moving load

Abstract

As a first endeavor, the dynamic response of functionally graded (FG) plates in thermal environment under a moving load is investigated. The formulation is derived based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT), which includes the effects of initial thermal stresses induced by the thermal environment and also the elastic foundation. The material properties are assumed to be temperature-dependent and graded in the thickness direction. The initial thermal stresses are evaluated by means of the thermoelasticity theory. In order to develop a general solution procedure which can be employed for FG plates with general loading and boundary conditions, the finite element method (FEM) together with Newmark’s time integration scheme is adopted. The formulation and method of solution are validated by studying their convergence behavior and performing the comparison studies with existing results in the literature in the limit cases. Finally, the influences of temperature rise, material graded index, moving load velocity, elastic foundation parameters and boundary conditions on the dynamic behavior of FG plates in thermal environment and subjected to moving load is presented.