Thermal Buckling of Axially Functionally Graded Thin Cylindrical Shell

Abstract

In the present research, thermal buckling of shell made of functionally graded material (FGM) under thermal loads is investigated. The material properties of functionally graded materials (FGMs) are assumed to be graded in the axial direction according to a simple power law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. In the previous articles that published, these properties are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction. Nonlinear kinematic (strain-displacement) relations are considered based on the first order shear deformation shell theory. By substituting kinematic and stress-strain relations of functionally graded shell in the total potential energy equation and employing Euler equations, the equilibrium equations are obtained. Applying Euler equations to the second variation of total potential energy equation leads to the stability equations. Then, buckling analysis of functionally graded shell under three types of thermal loads is carried out resulting into closed-form solutions.