Optimal design of functionally graded plates with thermo-elastic plastic behaviour

Abstract

The thermo-elastic plastic behaviour of functionally graded plates under extremal thermal loading at different boundary conditions is considered. The plates consist of two phases – ZrO 2 ceramics and Ti 6 Al 4 V alloy. The layers are distributed exponentially through the thickness. The mechanical and thermal properties of both materials strongly depend on temperature. The stress–strain behaviour is investigated by the FEM. To predict the stable state of the structures of interest, several failure criteria are applied. Two cost functions are introduced to optimize the design of the plate. The main results are discussed and graphically illustrated.