Buckling and Vibration Analysis of FGM Plates and
Shells
1 2
J. Monslin Sugirtha Singh
Sathyabama University,
Chenna,India.
1 2
monslin@hotmail.com
Abstract-This paper presents the nonlinear formulation for
Functionally Graded Material (FGM) plates and shells using
Semiloof Shell element. Results for buckling and vibration
analysis of functionally graded plates and shells are reported.
I. INTRODUCTION
Functionally graded materials (FGM) are heterogeneous
composite materials usually made from a mixture of metals
and ceramics. The material properties of FGM are graded but
continuous and are controlled by the variation of the volume
fraction of the constituent materials. The concept of FGM was
first proposed by Koizumi [1]. Functionally graded materials
have the advantage of their ability to withstand high
temperature gradients unlike fiber matrix composites, which
show mismatch of mechanical properties across an interface of
two discrete materials bonded together and resulting in de-
bonding at high temperatures in some cases. In FGM, the
ceramic material provides high temperature resistance due to
its low thermal conductivity while the ductile metal
component provides structural strength and fracture toughness.
Functionally graded materials are now being strongly
considered as a potential structural material for future high-
speed spacecraft. They are widely applied where the operating
conditions are severe, for example, wear resistant linings for
handling large heavy abrasive exchanger tubes, thermo elastic
generators, heat engine components etc.
In the linear analysis, the displacements and strains
developed in the structure are small.
That is, the geometry of the structure assumed remains
unchanged during the loading process and linear strain
approximations can be used. However, the geometry of the
structure changes continuously during the loading process, and
this fact is taken into account in the geometrically nonlinear
analysis. In the linear analysis, the load carrying capacity of
the structure cannot be predicted correctly. Therefore, it is
necessary to use the non-linear equilibrium equations to
describe the structural behavior.
In various fields of engineering, shell structures may
vibrate with large amplitude, therefore in the geometric non
linear regime. In order to properly design these structure,
predict their responses, failure and fatigue life it is very
978-1-4244-9082-0/10/$26.00 ©2010 IEEE
280
Dr.R. Kari Thangaratnam
Centre for Computational Mechanics Chennai,
India,
drkari@yahoo.com
important to know their dynamic characteristics. In non linear
dynamics this knowledge is primarily accomplished by defining the
relation between the amplitude and natural frequency of vibration. It
is known that when plate is deflected more than approximately
one half of their thickness, especially if in plane edge constrains are
present, significant non linearity is induced. This non linearity is
mainly due to the development of in plane membrane stresses,
tensile in nature that effectively stiffens the plate. This stiffing
effect result in an increase of resonance frequencies and
change of mode shapes.
Loss of stability of elastic structure is always due to
internal exchange of energy. Thin walled structures can absorb
great deal of membrane strain energy without deforming
much. It must deform much more in order to absorb an
equivalent amount of bending energy. If a structure is loaded
in such a way that the stored up membrane energy can be
converted in to bending energy. It may fail suddenly in a
process called buckling as it exchanges its membrane energy
for bending energy. In the case of thin shells, this normally
happens at stress levels much lower than material failure
stress. The way in which buckling occurs depends on how the
structure is loaded and also on its geometrical and material
properties
FGM represent a rapidly developing area of Science and
Engineering with numerous practical applications. The
research in this area are uniquely numerous and diverse. The
critical areas include stress, stability, and dynamic analysis
where further research is needed for a successful
implementation of FGM.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
J.Woo,S.A.Meguid,L.S.Ong [2] presented the analytical
solution for the nonlinear free vibration behavior of plates
made of functionally graded materials, The effect of material
properties, boundary conditions and thermal loading on the
dynamic behavior of the plates is discussed
R.Naghdabadi and S.A.H.Hordkheili [3] derived the finite
element formulation for the thermo elastic analysis of FG
plates and shells. The power law distribution model is
assumed for the composition of the constituent material in the
thickness direction. Ravikiran Kadoli and Ganesan [4] studied
the large deformation analysis of FG cylindrical shells using
higher order Lagrangian interpolation to avoid membrane and structural integrity.. The effective material property P, the
shear locking of the shells. S.A.H.Hordkheili and young’s modulus E, density , can be expressed as
R.Naghdabadi [5] presented the formulation to account for
non linear stress distribution in FGM plate and shells
particularly near the inner and the outer surfaces for small and P=Po Vc +Pi Vm. (1)
large values of the grading parameter. Afeefa shaker et. al. [6]
presented a procedure to analyze the free vibration of the
FGM plates .P.Maiekzadeh [7] carried out non linear free Po= Temperature dependent properties of outer surface of
vibration analysis of thin to moderately thick laminated shell made up of metal
composite skew plates based on the first order shear
deformation theory. A.Allahverdizadeh and et al [8] developed Pi = Temperature dependent properties of inner surface of
a semi analytical approach for nonlinear free and forced shell made up of metal
axisymmetric vibration of thin circular functionally graded Vc and Vm are ceramic and metal volume fractions are
plates. Steady state free and forced vibration analysis is related by Vc + Vm =1
investigated in detail. M.Darabi et al[9] presented a simple
solution of the dynamic stability of functionally graded shells The ceramic volume fraction Vc is assumed as
under axial loading based on large deflection theory. It is
confirmed that the characteristics of large deflection are
significantly influenced by volume fraction. Tsung –Lin WU
[10] presented an explicit solution for the non linear static and (2)
dynamic response of functionally graded plates. So far no
work has been reported on nonlinear vibration of shells. Victor
Birman et al [11] presents a review of the principal
Where volume fraction “N” indicates the material variation
development in Functionally graded materials with an
profile through the shell thickness.
emphasis on the recent work published since 2000.It
concluded that the effect of temperature on the stress, stability
and vibration problem of FGM should be accounted for IV. SEMILOOF SHELL ELEMENT
including explicit temperature –induced stresses resultant and
couple as well as change in material proprieties due to An element which has all the advantages of
temperature. Tsung-Lin Wu et al [12] presented a paper on Isoparametric formulation and which uses Isoparametric shell
non linear static and dynamic response of a functionally theory and Discrete Kirchhoff Theory and overcome the
graded material rectangular plate using analytical solutions. It locking phenomenon was developed by Irons known as
confirms that for optimal design of the FGM plates under Semiloof shell element [15]. This element has been
different loading conditions buckling, post buckling and successfully applied for several structural problems:-
thermo mechanical loading is necessary. Hui-Shen Shen [13]
presents differential equation for non linear vibration of FGM
plates and buckling of FGM Shells using Donnall Theory.
Barbosa and Ferreira [14] using Marquerre Shell element
given the formulation for geometric nonlinear analysis of
FGM plates and shells.

The review of the literature shows considerable number of

works on analysis of FGM has been carried out. On the other
hand, very few works have been reported on non linear
analysis of FGM plates and shells under thermo mechanical
loading. No work has been so far reported in analysis of FGM
plates and shells using Semiloof shell element. The aim of the
present work is to study the non linear analysis of FGM plates
and Shells using Semiloof shell element.

III .MATERIAL MODELLING

Functionally graded materials are spatial

composites in which materials property vary from one surface
to another surface by varying the volume fraction of the
constituent materials. Functionally graded material can
withstand high temperature environment while maintaining
Figure 1: Semiloof Shell Element
The semiloof element is first formulated with 43 degrees
of freedom,(d.o.f) Of those 11 are eliminated by Kirchhoff
shear constrain, so that the final version of the element has 32

281
d.o.f.The geometry of the element is described by eight
serendipity-type shape function.
Fig (1) shows the quadrilateral semi loof shell element
where the local coordinate system (XYZ), Isoparametric
curvilinear coordinates system (r,s,t) are illustrated .There are
three types of nodes in this element;
(i) Displacements u,v,w in global directions corner(4)and
mid side(4)nodes gives rise to (8x3=24) d.o.f.
(ii) Local rotation xz , yz at loof nodes giving rise to
(8x2) =16 d.o.f.
(iii) Two rotation and one normal displacement at the
central node, giving rise to 3 d.o.f.
The rotation yz at the eight loof nodes and the 3 d.o.f. at
the central node are constrained, which reduces the total
element d.o.f. to 32.
V. FINITE ELEMENT FORMULATION
The governing equation for the problem resulting from the
application of the Principal of virtual work are set using a
Total Lagrangian formulation [15] for geometric nonlinear
analysis.
The total potential Energy  for the Functionally graded
Shell is given as
(3)
The A,B,D matrices are Extensional stiffness, coupling
stiffness and bending stiffness respectively, m is the number
of elements.
[Qij] – Reduced Stiffness matrix
(4)
is the displacement matrix.
is the Mechanical load vector.
VI. GEOMETRIC NONLINEAR ANALYSIS
282
Based on the above the geometric nonlinear equation [15]
can be written as
[[KL] +[KG ]+[KNL]] [d] = [F] (5)
[KL] is the linear structural stiffness matrix
[KNL] is the nonlinear stiffness matrix
[KG] is the Geometric Stiffness matrix
[F] is the Force vector
[d] is the vector of nodal Displacement
The incremental iterative solution strategy based on
Newton-Rhapshon is employed to obtain the complete static
load response of the structure. In this procedure each load step
consists of the application of proportional increment of
external load and subsequent iterations to converge to
equilibrium solutions. Thus a load increment strategy as well
as iterative strategy is use.
In high geometric instability condition the arc length
method [16] is adopted for the load increment. The solution is
advanced by a specified “arc –length” along the load path
rather than a load or displacement increment.
VII. BUCKLING ANALYSIS
In order to establish the critical buckling stage
corresponding to neutral equilibrium condition the second
variation of total potential energy must be equal to Zero.
This gives rise to [KL] + O[kG] = 0 (6)
Where O is the critical buckling load
VIII. NONLINEAR FREE VIBRATION ANALYSIS
The governing equation can be derived from the
Lagrangian
Equations [ 17] ,
d/dt (L/di) -L/di =0, i =1,2,3…...n (7)
n=is the degrees of freedom
Where L is the Lagrangian, defined as
L= T –  (8)
Here T is the kinetic energy of the Functionally graded
Shell and  is the potential Energy.
The Kinetic energy for an element is defined as
(9)
 (10) IX . VERIFICATION
(11) The program COMSAP is validated by using the existing
results as follows.
A. Functionally graded plate
A symmetric two dimensional functionally graded
composite plate Is composed of ceramic (Al2O3) and metal
(12) (Ni) subjected to uniform and linearly varying
temperature .The FGM layer material properties are assumed
to be varied continuously in the thickness direction only and
Based on the above formulation the Final non linear properties for Al2O3 And Ni are listed in Table A.1. To
Equation is given as verify the correctness of the program for FGM Materials,
critical temperatures under uniform and linear temperature rise
[[KL]+[KNL] + [KG]] [d] - [M] = [F] (13) are compared with previous works for the case of clamped
[M] is the mass matrix FGM square plate.The present results are in Table 1
compared well with the results in the literature and good
The governing equation for the nonlinear free vibration agreement is observed between the two even for a coarse mesh
can be written as 3x3.

[[KL] +[KNL]] [q] - [M] = [0] (14) Table 1shows the Material properties of Alumina and
Nical [18]
TABLE -I
Assuming harmonic oscillation the above equation can be MATERIAL PROPERTIES OF FGM -1[18]
written as
Material E GPa   cx10-6/0C
[[[KL]+ [KNL] ] – 2 [M] ] [d] = [0] (15) Alumina (Al2O3) 393.0 .25 8.8
Nical Ni 199.5 .3 13.3

Where  is natural frequency TABLE –II

CRITICAL TEMPERATURE CHANGE WITH RESPECT TO
The Linear free vibration equation as follows VOLUME FRACTION INDEX(N) AND GEOMETRIC PARAMETERS
UNDER UNIFORM TEMPERATURE RISE.A/H=100, A=100CM
3 Ref.[18] present
[[KL]– 2 [M] ] [d] = [0] (16) .3 28.21 27.47
1 30.56 29.78
5 34.17 35.93
The non liner frequency is computed through an iterative
procedure. To start with non linear matrix [KNL] is assumed to B. Vibration of FGM Shell:
be zero and an Eigen analysis is carried out to compute the
Functionally graded cylindrical shell with length 20m,
linear frequency of the vibration and the associated mode
radius1.0 m thickness of .002m is considered. Both the edges
shape. The Eigen vector is normalized and scaled to specified
are simply supported. The material property of stainless steel
amplitude and using this nonlinear matrix [KNL] is completed.
and Nickel is presented in Table B.1. Results of convergence
This is added to the linear stiffness matrix and resulting matrix
study are given in Table B.2 which is compared very well with
combined with the mass matrix to carry out the Eigen analysis.
results in Ref. [19].
The frequency obtained is compared with the frequency
obtained in the previous step. If the convergence is obtained TABLE –III
the computation is stopped. Otherwise the Eigen vector is MATERIAL PROPERTIES OF FGM-2[19]
scaled to the specified amplitude again and the nonlinear
associated with this new vector are computed followed by the
MATERIAL E N/m2   Kg/m3
Eigen analysis. This continues till the convergence is obtained
and the whole process is repeated for the next specified
amplitude. Stainless Steel 2.0778E+11 .32 8166
The package COMSAP developed using Semiloof shell
element by Kari Thangaratnam [15] for thermal stress and
buckling of composite is added with free and nonlinear Nickel 2.0509E+11 .31 8900
vibration [17]. In the present work FGM material Model is
added and verified with exact solutions and existing FEM
results. TABLE -IV

283
 CONVERGENCE STUDY OF VIBRATION OF FUNCTIONALLY MATERIAL PROPERTIES FOR FGM-4 [22]
GRADED CYLINDRICAL SHELL. (L/R=20.H/R=0.002,M=1,N=2)
Mesh Material E Gpa   cx10-6/0C
(Axialx Frequency (Hz) Frequency (Hz) at % of Aluminum 70 .3 23
circumferenti present value at N=1 N=1 Ref [19] error Alumina 380 .3 7.4
al)
2x4 4.04 4.480 10.9
4x4 4.24 4.480 5.6
6x4 4.420 4.480 1.3

C. Nonlinear Vibration Of Composite Plates:

An eight Layer Symmetry laminate (+900/-450/+450/00),
with fully clamped boundary condition has been considered
here. Geometric and material properties for the plate are given
as: Length=480 mm, Breadth= 320mm, Thickness =1mm,
=0.32, Ex=120.5GPa, Ey=9.63GPa, Gxy=3.58GPa,
=1540kg/m3. 4x4Mesh size is employed and quarter of the
plate was modeled by considering symmetry. The results are
compared in Table 5 with Ref [20].
TABLE -V Figure 3. Critical temperature Vs Volume fraction Index
NONLINEAR RESPONSES FOR 8-LAYER SYMMETRY LAMINATE E. Free Vibration of FGM Shells
Ref [20]
Amplitude ratio Present (NL/) %Error
(NL/)
.2 1.0079 1.0054 .2486
.4 1.0300 1.0214 .8419
.6 1.0668 1.0475 1.93
.8 1.1175 1.0826 3.2237
1 1.1788 1.1267 4.6441

X. RESULTS
Thermal Buckling of FGM plate:
Functionally graded square plate with length 1000mm, Figure 4.Variation of natural frequency against,h/RRatio for simply
thickness of 10mm, using material properties in Table 6 is supported condition
analyzed for varying volume fraction and critical buckling Natural Frequency of the Functionally graded shell
temperature are reported in Figure.2. (L/R=20, m=1) for various h/R ratios for both the simply
Also using material properties in Table 7 is analyzed for Supported and clamped boundary conditions are calculated for
varying volume fraction and critical buckling temperature are (n = 5, 4, 3, 2) and plotted in Fig 4 and Fig 5.
reported in Figure.3
TABLE -VI
MATERIAL PROPERTIES OF FGM-3[21]

Material E Gpa   cx10-6/0C

Aluminum 70 .3 23
Zirconia 151 .3 10

Figure 5. Variation of natural frequency against, h/R Ratio for simply

supported condition
Figure 2. Buckling Temperature Vs volume fraction index

TABLE –VII

284
 Natural Frequency of the functionally graded shell periodic axial loading”, Journal Composite Structures, Vol. 83, 201-211,
(h/R=20, m=1) for various L/R ratios for the simply Supported 2008.
and clamped, clamped boundary conditions are calculated for [10] Tsung Lin WU, Nonlinear static and dynamic Analysis of functionally
graded plates, International journal of applied mechanics and
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Graded Materials and Structures” Applied mechanics Reviews, Vol. 60,
20
pp 195-216, September 2007.
[12] Tsung-Lin Wu, K.K.Shukla and Jin H.Huang “Nonlinear static and
15 N ss=0
dynamic Analysis of Functionally Graded plates”, International journal
Frequency(Hz)

N Zir =0
N =0.5 of applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 11, pp 679-698, 2006.
N=1
N=2
10 N=5
[13] Hui-Shen Shen, “Functionally Graded materials, Non linear Analysis of
plates and shells”, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, London,
5
Newyork, 2009.
[14] J.A.T.Barbosa and A.J.M. Ferreira, “Geometric Nonlinear Analysis of
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Functionally Graded plates and shells”, Mechanics of Advanced
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Figure 5. Variation of natural frequency against L/R Ratio (m=1, h/R=20) for
simply supported boundary conditions. [15] R.Kari thangaratnam, “Thermal buckling of laminated composite plates
and shells”, Ph.D Thesis, IITMadras, October 1989.

VIII. CONCLUSION
The Finite element formulation using Semiloof shell
element with Functionally Graded Material modeling in
COMSAP is verified.From the results it is clear that
constituent volume fractions and configuration of the
constituent materials affect the natural frequency and Buckling
Load.
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