Formulation of a New Mixed Four-Node Quadrilateral Element for Static Bending Analysis of Variable Thickness Functionally Graded Material Plates

A new mixed four-node quadrilateral element (MiQ4) is established in this paper to investigate functionally graded material (FGM) plates with variable thickness. The proposed developed based on the first-order shear deformation and finite technique, so does not need any selective or reduced numerical integration. Numerous basic tests have been carried out demonstrate accuracy convergence of element. Besides, examples show that present free locking insensitive mesh distortion, especially for case very thin plates. can be applied analyze arbitrary geometries; it leads reducing computation cost. Several parameter studies are performed roles some parameters such as power-law index, side-to-thickness ratio, boundary conditions (BCs), variation plate thickness static bending behavior FGM