New 2D and quasi-3D shear deformation theories for free vibration of functionally graded plates on elastic foundations

Abstract The aim of this work is to establish a two dimensional (2D) and quasi three dimensional (quasi-3D) shear deformation theories, which can model the free vibration of FG plates resting on elastic foundations using a new shear strain shape function. The proposed theories have a novel displacement field which includes undetermined integral terms and contains fewer unknowns with taking into account the effects of both transverse shear and thickness stretching. The mechanical properties of the plates are assumed to vary through the thickness according to a power law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The elastic foundation parameters are introduced in the present formulation by following the Pasternak (two-parameters) mathematical model. Hamilton's principle is employed to determine the equations of motion. The closed form solutions are derived by using Navier's method and then fundamental frequencies are obtained by solving the results of eigenvalue problems. The efficiency of the proposed theory is ascertained by comparing the results of numerical examples with the different 2D, 3D and quasi-3D solutions found in literature.