Bending analysis of porous functionally graded microplates

This study presents bending analysis of porous functionally graded (FG) microplates using First-Order Shear Deformation Theory (FSDT). Three thickness-wise gradation routes are considered: (A) ceramic at top → metal at bottom, (B) metal at outer surfaces → ceramic at midplane (outside → inside metal → ceramic), and (C) ceramic at outer surfaces → metal at midplane (outside → inside ceramic → metal). For each gradation the following three porosity cases are compared: (i) nonporous FGM (baseline), (ii) even (uniform) porosity through the thickness, and (iii) uneven symmetric porosity. Governing equations are derived from Hamilton’s principle; FSDT kinematics model transverse shear with shear correction. A finite element method based formulation is used to investigate the effect power-law index n, porosity parameter V0, thickness ratio a/h on deflection. Parametric studies and comparisons show uneven symmetric porosity softens the plate more than even porosity for the same mean porosity, ceramic-outside configurations are stiffer.