Analysis of functionally graded plates based on a variable separation method

This work deals with the modeling of plate structures constituted Functionally Graded Material through a variable separation approach. The displacement field is approximated as sum separated functions in-plane coordinates x, y and transverse coordinate z. choice yields to nonlinear problem that can be solved by an iterative process. Two 2D 1D linear problems are successively. In thickness direction, fourth-order expansion in each layer considered. For description, classical Finite Element method used. number unknowns reduced compared LayerWise (LW) Classical numerical tests encountered literature provided show accuracy present LW method. FGM or combined FGM/orthotropic layers. Different slenderness ratios anisotropy indexes also Accurate results low computational cost obtained when reference solutions models available literature.