Bending Analysis of FG Circular and Annular Plates with Stepped Thickness Variations by Using a New Exact closed form Solution

In this paper, FG circular and annular plates with stepped thickness variations is examined. Bending analysis was performed for stepped plates with various boundary conditions by using a new exact solution based on the FSDT. Stepped plates are divided into multiple constant thickness segments. Governing equations are written for each segment, individually. Then, continuity conditions of displacements and forces are imposed between various segments. Based on the presented exact solution, transverse asymmetric plates with various stepped segments may be analyzed. Loads may be imposed on arbitrary parts of plates. Mechanical properties of each segment may be different. Also, variations of properties of each segment may be determined, individually. Results of bending analyses for the stepped circular/annular plates have not been reported yet, so accuracy of the results of the proposed exact solution is verified by comparing the results with those of the three-dimensional finite element extracted from the ABAQUS software. A good agreement is noticed between present exact solution and ABAQUS results.