Thermal Stability of FGM Cylindrical Shells on Pasternak Elastic Foundation under Axial Load

Thermal stability characteristics of functionally graded material (FGM) cylindrical shells surrounded by elastic medium under axial load are investigated in this paper. Firstly, governing equations based on the first-order shear deformation theory of Sanders-Koiter for the cylindrical shell resting on elastic foundation are derived by using Hamilton’s principle. The governing partial differential equations are converted to algebraic ones by using the Galerkin’s method and thermal buckling load is obtained. The material properties of functionally graded materials are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction according to the power law. The elastic medium is assumed as two-parameter Pasternak elastic foundation consist of Winkler and shear terms. Temperature distribution across the shell thickness is considered in three types: uniform temperature rise, linear and nonlinear temperature change. Two solution methods are used in case of nonlinear temperature distribution as approximate and exact analytical solutions and their effects on critical temperature of the shell are investigated. It is shown that approximate solution method yields different results with respect to exact analytical solution. Critical temperatures of isotropic cylindrical shell with simply supported boundary condition under uniform temperature rise and linear temperature distribution cases are obtained and compared with results in the literature. Based on the validated theory the effects of elastic foundation and axial load on thermal stability of FGM cylindrical shell are investigated