Bending analysis of functionally graded plates using a new refined quasi-3D shear deformation theory and the concept of the neutral surface position

This paper presents a high-order shear and normal deformation theory for the bending of FGM plates. The number of unknowns and governing equations of the present theory is reduced, and hence makes it simple to use. Unlike any other theory, the number of unknown functions involved in displacement field is only four, as against five or more in the case of other shear and normal deformation theories. Based on the novel shear and normal deformation...