Author's Accepted Manuscript

Bending Analysis of Ultra-thin Functionally

Graded Mindlin Plates Incorporating Surface
Energy Effects
M. Shaat, F.F. Mahmoud, A.E. Alshorbagy, S.S.
Alieldin

www.elsevier.com/locate/ijmecsci

PII: S0020-7403(13)00190-2
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2013.07.001
Reference: MS2491

To appear in: International Journal of Mechanical Sciences

Received date: 10 February 2013

Revised date: 30 March 2013
Accepted date: 1 July 2013

Cite this article as: M. Shaat, F.F. Mahmoud, A.E. Alshorbagy, S.S. Alieldin,
Bending Analysis of Ultra-thin Functionally Graded Mindlin Plates Incorpor-
ating Surface Energy Effects, International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, http://dx.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2013.07.001

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Bending Analysis of Ultra-thin Functionally Graded Mindlin Plates
Incorporating Surface Energy Effects
M. Shaat*I, F.F.Mahmoud, A.E. Alshorbagy and S.S. Alieldin

Mechanical Engineering Department, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt

*
Corresponding author. Tel.: +20 0122 2232469.

ShaatScience@yahoo.com

2/10/2013; 3/30/2013; 7/1/2013

Abstract

In this paper, an analytical solution for Mindlin plate theory accounting for the position of
the neutral plane for continuum incorporating surface effects is investigated to study the bending
behavior of ultra-thin simply supported functionally graded (FG) plates. The size-dependent
mechanical response is very important while the plate thickness reduces to micro/nano scales.
Bulk stresses on the surfaces are required to satisfy the surface balance conditions involving
surface stresses. Therefore, unlike the classical continuum plate models, the bulk transverse
normal stress is preserved here. Moreover, unlike most of previous studies in the literature, the
neutral plane position effects are considered for FG plates. A series of continuum governing
differential equations which include surface energy and neutral plane position effects are derived.
The proposed analytical solution is then used for a comparison between the continuum analysis of
simply supported FG ultra-thin plates with and without incorporating surface effects. Also, a
parametric study is provided to study the effect of surface parameters and the effect of aspect ratio
on the behavior of the simply supported FG plate. The proposed model is verified by previous
work.

author-highlightsHighlights

x A size-dependent continuum model incorporating surface energy effects is investigated for

ultra-thin functionally graded Mindlin plates.
x Classical continuum models are adopted, accounting for surface effects and considering the
exact neutral plane position for FG plates.
x A series of continuum governing differential equations which include surface energy and
neutral plane position effects are derived.
x An analytical solution is provided to study the bending behavior of ultra-thin simply
supported FG films.
2

x A parametric study is provided to study the effect of surface parameters on the FG plate
response.

Keywords

Functional Graded Materials; Surface energy effects; Ultra-thin films; Size-dependent analytical
solution; Plate theory, Nano-structures

1. Introduction
Atoms at a free surface experience a different local environment than do atoms in the bulk of a material.

As a result, the energy associated with these atoms will be different from that of the atoms in the bulk. The

excess energy associated with surface atoms is called surface free energy. In classical continuum mechanics,

such surface free energy is typically neglected because it is associated with only a few layers of atoms near

the surface and the ratio of the volume occupied by the surface atoms and the total volume of material of

interest is extremely small. However, for micro/nano-size particles, wires and films, the surface to volume

ratio becomes significant, and so does the effect of surface free energy.

Ultra-thin plate structures with submicron thicknesses have attracted much attention due to their potential

as sensitive, high frequency devices for applications in Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) and

Nanoelectromechanical Systems (NEMS) [1-3]. For structures with submicron sizes, due to the increasing

surface-to-bulk ratio, surface effects are likely to be significant and can considerably modify and affect

macroscopic properties [4,5].

It is known that there exists a size-dependent mechanical response of ultra-thin elastic films with nano-

scale thickness [6-9].The understanding and modeling of such size-dependence due to surface effects is

currently of particular interest [10-12]. Atomistic simulations results have shown that elastic constants of

ultra-thin films can be larger or smaller than their bulk counterparts due to the effect of surface elasticity [13,

14]. In addition, the atomistic lattice model further demonstrates that the values of elastic constants of ultra-

thin films are thickness dependent and approach the bulk value as the film thickness increases [15-17].

However, systematic atomistic studies of mechanical response of thin films need tremendous computational

efforts; therefore, they are of limited usage in practical applications.

Gurtin and Murdoch [18-21] formulated a generic continuum model of surface elasticity, where the

surface of solids can be viewed as a two dimensional elastic membrane with different material constants

adhering to the underlying bulk material without slipping. It is found that the continuum by incorporating
3
surface elasticity can predict the same accurate elastic response of thin films similarly as given by the

atomistic modeling, if the proper surface constitutive constants are used [8]. Recently, He et al. [10] proposed

a rigorous continuum surface elasticity model and successfully analyzed the size-dependent deformation of

nano-films. The surface effects on the deflection behavior of ultra-thin films are investigated by incorporating

surface elasticity into the Von Karman plate theory without consideration of the non-zero normal stress along

the thickness direction [22]. However, the continuum model proposed by Lu et al. [23] takes into account the

effect of non-zero normal stress but neglects the effect of nonlinearity. Huang [24], investigated a modified

continuum model of elastic films with nano-scale thickness by incorporating surface elasticity into the

conventional nonlinear Von Karman Plate theory. A set of governing equations is derived taking into account

surface effects, effect of non-zero normal stress and large deflection.

Steigmann and Ogden [25, 26] generalized the Gurtin-Murdoch theory to incorporate flexural stiffness of

the free surface directly into the constitutive response of surface. Dingreville and Qu [27] investigated the

influence of Poisson’s ratio effect on the surface properties under general loading conditions. Moreover, the

effect of surface pre-tension on the elastic properties of nano structures is studied by Wang et al. [28, 29]. In

the absence of external loading, the surface pre-tension will induce a residual stress field in the bulk of nano

structures. Based on the elastic behavior of nano-sized structural elements such as nano-particles, nano-wires

and nano-films, Dingreville [30] investigated an approach for the size dependency of the overall elastic

behavior of such nano-sized structural elements.

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are microscopically inhomogeneous composite materials, in which

the volume fraction of the two or more materials is varied smoothly and continuously as a continuous function

of the material position along one or more dimension of the structure. The concept of functionally graded

material (FGM) was proposed in 1984 by the material scientists in Japan [31]. Alieldin et al. [32] suggested

three approaches to transform the laminated composite plate, with stepped material properties, to an

equivalent functionally graded (FG) plate with a continuous property function across the plate thickness. Such

transformations are used to determine the details of a functionally graded plate equivalent to the original

laminated one.

The FGM is suitable for various applications, such as thermal coatings of barrier for ceramic engines, gas

turbines, nuclear fusions, optical thin layers, biomaterial electronics, etc. Recently, the thermo-elastic
4
response of FGMs has attracted much attention due to their stability under mechanical and thermal loads [33-

35].

Mindlin plate theory for continuum incorporating surface energy effects is exploited by Shaat et al. [36] to

study the static behavior of ultra-thin FG plates. The transverse shear strain effect is studied by a comparison

between the FG plate behavior based on Kirchhoff and Mindlin assumptions. In such analysis the material

surface properties are expected to be the same for the upper and lower surfaces of the FG plate. However, the

effect of neutral plane position is disregarded for the analysis of the FG plate. A generalized refined theory

including surface effects is developed by Lü et al. [37, 38] for FG ultra-thin films with different surface

properties. The classical generalized shear deformable theory is adopted to incorporate surface energy effects.

In such study Lü et al. neglected the effect of neutral plane position on the FG plate behavior.

In this paper, based on Mindlin plate theory, an analytical solution is developed to study the response of

ultra-thin FG plates. Here unlike most of the literatures, [36-38], the effect of the neutral plane position for

ultra-thin FG films is investigated. In addition to the effect of the surface energy, the effect of the plate aspect

ratio is studied. A series of continuum governing differential equations which include surface energy and

neutral plane position effects are derived. A simply supported micro/nano scaled films subjected to a

transverse mechanical load are investigated.

1. Formulation of a Continuum Plate Model Incorporating Surface Effects

In this section, Mindlin plate theory incorporating surface effects is presented. The FG plate is expected to

consist of two material constituents. The neutral plane coincides with the geometric mid-plane of isotropic

homogenous materials. However, Neutral plane of functionally graded plates may not coincide with its

geometric mid-plane, because of the material property variation through the plate thickness. In most previous

studies, [36-38], the neutral plane is assumed to be coincident with the mid-plane of the plate, while the

position of neutral plane for functionally graded plates must be predetermined. To predict the modifications

on the classical continuum theory due to taking into account surface energy and neutral plane effects, a series

of governing equations are addressed for FG ultra-thin films. Then, an analytical solution for the presented

governing equations is proposed.

5

1.1. Governing Equations and Constitutive Relations

Consider a thin plate structure with thickness h . The upper and lower surfaces S  and S  of the plate are
defined by z r h / 2 , respectively. The governing equations for the body of the plate, where there is no
body forces are included are given by

V ij , j 0
(2.1)

where V ij denote the stress components. The surface stresses on the surfaces S  and S  of the plate are
denoted by W iD and W iD , respectively, and satisfied the equilibrium relations (Gurtin and Murdoch [18, 20])
 

W iD ,D  V iz 0,W iD ,D  V iz 0; i x, y, z;D x, y

(2.2)

where V izr V iz ( z r h / 2) are the bulk stresses at z rh / 2 , respectively.

The resultant forces N ij and resultant moments M ij are defined by

N ij ³V ij dz , M ij ³ ( z  h )V
z
0 ij dz
 z (2.3)

where h0 denotes the position of the neutral plane (see Fig. 1) where for isotropic plates h0 0 . So, the
governing equations for continuum plates incorporating surface energy take the form

NiE , E  W Ei , E W Ei , E  pi 0,

h 
M DE , E  (W ED , E W ED , E )  ND z  rD

0
2 (2.4)

If the surface stresses are neglected, Eqs. (2.4) are reduced to the classical continuum plates governing

equations. The generalized resultant forces and resultant moments can be defined for continuum plate

incorporating surface effects as

N i*D N iD  W iD  W iD ; i x, y , z

h 
*
M DE NDE  (W DE  W DE

);D , E x, y
2 (2.5)

where the constitutive relations of the surface layers S  and S  as given by Gurtin and Murdoch [18, 20]
can be expressed as follow

W DE
r
W 0rGDE  ( P0r  W 0r )(uDr , E  uEr ,D )  (O0r  W 0r )uJr,J GDE W 0r uDr , E ,
W Drz W 0r u zr,D
(2.6)
6

where W 0 is the residual surface tension under unconstrained conditions, O0r P 0r

r
and are the surface Lame

constants on the upper and lower surfaces, and uir (i x, y, z r(h / 2)) denotes the displacement fields.

Since the plate is thin, the stress component V zz is small comparing to the in-plane stress components, which
is simply assumed to be zero in the classical plate theories. However, the surface condition Eq. (2.2) will not
be satisfied with the assumption. To improve the weakness, it is assumed here that the stress component V zz
varies linearly through the thickness and satisfies the balance conditions on the surfaces. With the assumption,
V zz can be written as

z  h0 
V zz 0.5 (W E z , E  W E z , E )  (W E z , E  W E z ,E )
h (2.7)

The stress-strain relations can be written as

E( z) § X · X
V iE ¨ H iE  H JJ G iE ¸  V zzG iE
1X © 1X ¹ 1X (2.8)

where E ( z) is the effective young’s modulus, X is the Poisson’s ratio and H iE 0.5(ui , E  uE ,i ) are the
strain components.

1.2. Mindlin Plate Theory

The Mindlin hypothesis is built up on the assumption that the transverse normals do not remain perpendicular
to the mid plane after deformation. This amounts to include transverse shear strains in the theory. The
inextensibility of transverse normal requires that the vertical deflection Z not be a function of the thickness
coordinate z . Under the illustrated assumptions, the displacement field of the first order shear deformation
plate theory (FSDT) (Mindlin) is of the form

ux u ( x, y, z ) u0 ( x, y )  ( z  h0 )‡ x ( x, y )
uy v( x, y, z ) v0 ( x, y )  ( z  h0 )‡ y ( x, y ) (2.9)
uz Z ( x, y, z ) Z0 ( x, y )

where {u 0 } {u0 , v0 ,Z0 , ‡ x , ‡ y }T are unknown functions to be determined.

* *
The resultant forces N iD and the resultant moments M DE for Mindlin plate theory can be obtained by
substituting the displacement fields and the strain components (Eq. (2.9)) into Eq. (2.6), Eq. (2.7) and Eq.
(2.8) and then into Eq. (2.3) and Eq. (2.5). If the top and bottom surface layers have considered having
different material properties, the resultant forces and moments can be obtained as
7

N xx* 4W 0  ( Ac11  2( 2 P0  O0 ))(u0, x  h0‡ x , x )  ( Ac12  2(O0  W 0 ))(v0, y  h0‡ y , y )

§ 'W 0 hX 2X h0W 0 · §h · §h ·
¨  ¸ (Z0, xx  Z0, yy )  ¨ (2'P0  'O0 )‡ x , x ¸  ¨ ( 'O0  'W 0 )‡ y , y ¸  Bc11‡ x , x  Bc12‡ y , y ,
© 2(1  X ) (1  X ) ¹ ©2 ¹ ©2 ¹
N *yy 4W 0  ( Ac22  2( 2 P0  O0 ))(v0, y  h0‡ y , y )  ( Ac12  2(O0  W 0 ))(u0, x  h0‡ x , x )
§ 'W 0 hX 2X h0W 0 · §h · §h ·
¨  ¸ (Z0, xx  Z0, yy )  ¨ ( 2'P0  'O0 )‡ y , y ¸  ¨ ( 'O0  'W 0 )‡ x , x ¸  Bc22‡ y , y  Bc12‡ x , x ,
© 2(1  X ) (1  X ) ¹ ©2 ¹ ©2 ¹
§h ·
N xy* 4W 0   Ac66  2 P0  (u0, y  v0, x  h0 (‡ y , x  ‡ x , y ))  ¨ 'P0 (‡ y , x  ‡ x , y ) ¸  Bc66 (‡ y , x  ‡ x , y ),
©2 ¹
N xz* Ac44 (Z0, x  ‡ x , x )  2W 0Z0, x ,
N *yz Ac55 (Z0, y  ‡ y , y )  2W 0Z0, y ,
§ 'O0 h · § 'O0 h 'W 0 h ·
M xx* ¨ Ac11h0  'P0 h  2 ¸ u0, x  ¨ Ac12 h0  2  2 ¸ v0, y
© ¹ © ¹
§ O h2 'O hh ·
 ¨ Dc11  Ac11h02  P0 h 2  0  'P0 hh0  0 0 ¸ ‡ x , x
© 2 2 ¹
§ (O  W ) h 2 'O0 hh0 'W 0 hh0 ·
 ¨ Dc12  Ac12 h02  0 0   ¸ ‡ y, y
© 2 2 2 ¹
§ X (W 0 ( h  12h0 )  (3'W 0 hh0 )) ·
2 2
¨ ¸ (Z0, xx  Z0, yy )  Bc11 (u0, x  h0‡ x , x )
© 6(1  X ) ¹
 Bc12 (v0, y  h0‡ y , y )  Bc11h0‡ x , x  Bc12 h0‡ y , y  'W 0 h,
§ 'O0 h · § 'O0 h 'W 0 h ·
M *yy ¨ Ac11h0  'P0 h  2 ¸ v0, y  ¨ Ac12 h0  2  2 ¸ u0, x
© ¹ © ¹
§ O h2 'O hh ·
 ¨ Dc11  Ac11h02  P0 h 2  0  'P0 hh0  0 0 ¸ ‡ y, y
© 2 2 ¹
§ (O  W ) h 2 'O0 hh0 'W 0 hh0 ·
 ¨ Dc12  Ac12 h02  0 0   ¸ ‡ x, x
© 2 2 2 ¹
§ X (W 0 ( h 2  12h02 )  (3'W 0 hh0 )) ·
¨ ¸ (Z0, xx  Z0, yy )  Bc22 (v0, y  h0‡ y , y )
© 6(1  X ) ¹
 Bc12 (u0, x  h0‡ x , x )  Bc22 h0‡ y , y  Bc12 h0‡ x , x  'W 0 h,
§ 'P0 h · § P0 h 2 'P0 hh0 ·
M xy* Ac
¨ 66 0 h  ( u  v )  ¨ 66
Dc  Ac h 2
  ¸ (‡ x , y  ‡ y , x )
2 ¸¹
0, y 0, x 66 0
© © 2 2 ¹
 Bc66 (u0, y  v0, x )  h0 Bc66 (‡ y , x  ‡ x , y )  Bc66 h0 (‡ y , x  ‡ x , y )  'W 0 h
2.10

From Eq. (2.4) and Eq. (2.5), the governing equations in terms of the resultant forces and moments are

given by
8

N xx* , x  N xy* , y 0
N *yy , y  N xy* , x 0
N xz* , x  N *yz , y p
M xx* , x  M xy* , y  N xz 0
M *yy , y  M xy* , x  N yz 0
(2.11)

Substitution of Eq. (2.10) into Eq. (2.11), the governing equations in terms of the generalized displacements

can be obtained in the following form

A11* u0, xx  A12* v0, xy  B11* ‡ x , xx  B12* ‡ y , xy  A66

*
u0, yy  A66
*
v0, xy
§ 'W 0 hX 2X h0W 0 ·
 B66 ‡ x , yy  B66 ‡ y , xy  ¨  ¸ (Z0, xxx  Z0, yyx ) 0 ,
* *

© 2(1  X ) (1  X ) ¹
*
A66 u0, xy  A66*
v0, xx  B66 *
‡ x , xy  B66
*
‡ y , xx  A12* u0, xy  A22
*
v0, yy  B12* ‡ x , xy
§ 'W 0 hX 2X h0W 0 ·
 B22 ‡ y , yy  ¨  ¸ (Z0, xxy  Z0, yyy ) 0 ,
*

© 2(1  X ) (1  X ) ¹
A44 (Z0, xx  ‡ x , x )  2W 0Z0, xx  A55 (Z0, yy  ‡ y , y )  2W 0Z0, yy p
B11**u0, xx  B12**v0, xy  D11* ‡ x , xx  D12* ‡ y , xy  B66
**
u0, yy  B66
**
v0, xy  D66
*
‡ x , yy  D66
*
‡ y , xy
§ X (W 0 ( h 2  12h02 )  (3'W 0 hh0 )) ·
 A44 ( w0, x  ‡ x )  ¨ ¸ (Z0, xxx  Z0, yyx ) 0 ,
© 6(1  X ) ¹
B12 u0, xy  B22 v0, yy  D12‡ x , xy  D22‡ y , yy  B66u0, xy  B66
** ** * * ** **
v0, xx  D66
*
(‡ x , xy  ‡ y , xx )  A55 (Z0, y  ‡ y )
§ X (W 0 ( h 2  12h02 )  (3'W 0 hh0 )) ·
¨ ¸ (Z0, xxy  Z0, yyy ) 0
© 6(1  X ) ¹
(2.12)

where the material parameters for isotropic FG plate will be

9

A11* *
A22 Ac11  2(2 P0  O0 ); A12* Ac12  2  O0  W 0  ; A66
*
Ac66  2 P0
h h h
B11* *
B22 h0 A11*  (2'P0  'O0 )  Bc11 ; B12* h0 A12*  ( 'O0  'W 0 )  Bc12 ; B66
* *
h0 A66  'P0  Bc66
2 2 2
h h h
B11** **
B22 h0 Ac11  (2'P0  'O0 )  Bc11 ; B12** h0 Ac12  ('O0  'W 0 )  Bc12 ; B66**
h0 Ac66  'P0  Bc66
2 2 2
Oh 2
'O hh
D11* *
D22 Dc11  Ac11h02  P0 h 2  0  'P0 hh0  0 0  (2h0 ) Bc11 ;
2 2
(O  W ) h 2
'O hh 'W hh
D12* Dc12  Ac12 h02  0 0  0 0  0 0  (2h0 ) Bc12 ;
2 2 2
P h 'P hh
2
*
D66 Dc66  Ac66 h02  0  0 0  (2h0 ) Bc66
2 2
(2.13)

where W 0 0.5(W 0  W 0 ), O0 0.5(O0  O0 ) and P0 0.5( P0  P0 ) are the average surface properties,
and 'O0 O0  O0 , 'P0 P0  P0 and 'W 0 W 0  W 0 . Moreover, the conventional material
stiffnesses are

h h h
2 2 2

³ Q ( z ) dz; Bc ³ z Q ( z ) dz ; Dc ³ z Q ( z) dz;i, j
2
Acij ij ij ij ij ij 1, 2, 6
h h h
  
2 2 2

h
2
Ac44 Ac55 K ³ Q44 dz
h

2

From Eq.(2.7) and Eq.(2.8), the stresses are related to strains as follow

§ X § 2W 0 ( z  h0 ) ··
V xx* Q11 (u0, x  ( z  h0 )‡ x , x )  Q12 (v0, y  ( z  h0 )‡ y , y )  ¨ ¨  0.5+W 0 ¸ ¸ (Z0, xx  Z0, yy )
© (1  X ) © h ¹¹
§ X § 2W 0 ( z  h0 ) ··
V *yy Q22 (v0, y  ( z  h0 )‡ y , y )  Q12 (u0, x  ( z  h0 )‡ x , x )  ¨ ¨  0.5+W 0 ¸ ¸ (Z0, xx  Z0, yy )
© (1  X ) © h ¹¹
V xy* Q66 [(u0, y  v0, x )  ( z  h0 )(‡ y , x  ‡ x , y )]
V xz* KQ44 [(Z0, x  ‡ x )]
V *yz KQ55 [(Z0, y  ‡ y )]
(2.14)

where Qij are the equivalent material property stiffnesses [32], and K is the material shear correction factor.

Equation (2.12) represents a series of continuum governing differential equations which

include surface energy and neutral plane position effects. The obtained modifications over the
10

classical continuum model concern two aspects, the material stiffnesses (Eq.(2.13)) and governing
equations (Eq. (2.12)). If the surface stresses are neglected and the neutral plane is coincident with
the Mid-plane of the plate, Eq. (2.12) and Eq. (2.13) are reduced to the classical form of governing
equations and material stiffnesses.

2. Analytical solution of governing equations

In this section, an analytical solution of FG plates based on Mindlin plate theory is
developed. The Navier method is used depending on the boundary conditions. In the Navier
method the generalized displacements are expanded in a double trigonometric series in terms of
unknown parameters. The choice of the functions in the series is restricted to those which satisfy
the boundary conditions of the problem. Substitution of the displacement expansions into the
governing equations should result in a unique, invertible, set of algebraic equations among the
parameters of the expansion. Otherwise, the Navier solution cannot be developed for the problem.

The boundary conditions in the simply supported rectangular FG plate based on Mindlin
hypothesis are satisfied by the following expansions

f f
uo ( x , y ) ¦¦U
n 1m 1
mn cosD x sinE y
f f
v0 ( x, y ) ¦¦V
n 1m 1
mn sinD x cos E y
f f
Zo ( x , y ) ¦¦W
n 1m 1
mn sin D x sin E y (3.1)
f f
M x ( x, y ) ¦¦X
n 1m 1
mn cos D x sin E y
f f
M y ( x, y ) ¦¦Y
n 1m 1
mn sin D x cos E y

The mechanical load is also expanded in double Fourier sine series

f f
p ( x, y ) ¦¦Q mn sin D x sin E y
n 1m 1 (3.2)

where D mS / a and E nS / b and U mn ,Vmn ,Wmn , X mn ,Ymn are coefficients to be determined.

By substituting Eq. (3.1) and Eq. (3.2) into Eq. (2.12), which represent the Mindlin
governing equations of FG plates including surface energy and neutral plane effects, the Navier
solution can be obtained as:
11

f f
ª § 'W 0 h
¦¦ «D 2
A11* U mn  DE ( A12*  A66
*
)Vmn  E 2 A66
*
U mn  D 2 B11* X mn  DE ( B12*  B66
*
)Ymn  E 2 B66
*
X mn  (D 3  E 2D ) ¨
© 2(1  X
n 1m 1 ¬
f f
ª § 'W 0 hX
¦¦ « E 2 *
A22Vmn  DE ( A12*  A66
*
)U mn  D 2 A66
*
Vmn  E 2 B11* Ymn  DE ( B12*  B66
*
) X mn  D 2 B66
*
Ymn  ( E 3  D 2 E ) ¨
n 1m 1 ¬ © 2(1  X
f f f f

¦¦[D 2 ( A44  2W 0 )Wmn  D A44 X mn  E A55Ymn  E 2 ( A55  2W 0 )Wmn ] sin D x sin E y

n 1m 1
¦¦Q
n 1m 1
mn sin D x sin E y

f f ª
¦¦ «D 2
B11**U mn  DE ( B12**  B66
**
)Vmn  E 2 B66
**
U mn  D 2 D11* X mn  D A44Wmn  A44 X mn  DE ( D12*  D66
*
)Ymn  E 2 D66
*
Xm
n 1m 1 ¬
f f ª

¦¦ « E B22Vmn  DE ( B12  B66 )U mn  D B66Vmn  E D22Ymn  E A55Wmn  A55Ymn  DE ( D12  D66 ) X mn  D D66Ymn 
n 1m 1¬
2 ** ** ** 2 ** 2 * * * 2 *

(3.3)

The previous equations can be written in the matrix form, so that the coefficients
(U mn ,Vmn ,Wmn , X mn ,Ymn ) of the Navier solution can be calculated from

ª s11* s12* s13* s14* *

s15 º ­U mn ½ ­ 0 ½
« * * * * * » ° ° ° 0 °
« s21 s22 s23 s24 s25 » °° Vmn °° °° °°
«0 0 *
s33 *
s34 * »
s35 ®Wmn ¾ ® mn ¾
Q
« * * * * * » ° ° ° 0 °
« s41 s42 s43 s44 s45 » ° X mn ° ° °
« s* * »
¼ ¯° Ymn ¿° °¯ 0 °¿
* * *
¬ 51 s52 s53 s54 s55
(3.4)

where sij* are

12

s11* D 2 A11*  E 2 A66

*
; s12* *
s21 DE ( A12*  A66
*
); s13*
§ 'W 0 hX 2X h0W 0 · *
(D 3  E 2D ) ¨  ¸ ; s14
© 2(1  X ) (1  X ) ¹
D 2 B11*  E 2 B66
*
; s15* DE ( B12*  B66
* *
); s22
§ 'W 0 hX 2X h0W 0 · *
D 2 A66
*
 E 2 A22
* *
; s23 (E 3  D 2 E ) ¨  ¸ ; s24
© 2(1  X ) (1  X ) ¹
DE ( B12*  B66* ) B12*  B66
* *
; s25 D 2 B66*  E 2 B22
* *
; s33
D 2  A44  2W 0   E 2  A55  2W 0  ; s34
*

D A44 ; s35
*
E A55 ; s41
*
D 2 B11**  E 2 B66** ; s42
*
DE ( B12**  B66** ); s43
*

§ § X (W 0 (h 2  12h02 )  (3'W 0 hh0 )) · 3 · *

D A44  ¨¨ ¨ ¸ (D  E D ) ¸¸ ; s44
2

©© 6(1  X ) ¹ ¹
D D11  E D66  A44 ; s45 s54 DE ( D12  D66 ); s51
2 * 2 * * * * * *

DE ( B12**  B66** ); s52

*
D 2 B66**  E 2 B22
** *
; s53

E A55  ¨ ¨

§ § X W 0 (h 2  12h02 )  (3'W 0 hh0 )  ¸· (D 2
·
E  E 3 ) ¸ ; s55
¨¨ 6(1  X ) ¸ ¸ (3.5)
©© ¹ ¹
D 2 D66*  E 2 D22
*
 A55

For macro-scale FG plates, the surface effects can be neglected and Eq. (3.5) can be
reduced to the analytical solution of the classical continuum model.

The normal stresses can be calculated in terms of the unknown coefficients U mn ,Vmn ,Wmn , X mn ,Ymn as
follow

§ D Q11 U mn  ( z  h0 ) X mn   E Q12 Vmn  ( z  h0 )Ymn  ·

¨ ¸
V *
xx ¨ § X § 2W 0 ( z  h0 ) ·· 2 ¸ sin D x sin E y
¨  ¨ (1  X ) ¨  (0.5*+W 0 ) ¸ ¸ (D  E 2 )Wmn ¸
© © © h ¹¹ ¹
§ D Q12 (U mn  ( z  h0 ) X mn )  E Q22 (Vmn  ( z  h0 )Ymn ) ·
¨ ¸
V *
¨ § X § 2W 0 ( z  h0 ) ·· 2 ¸ sin D x sin E y (3.6)
 (0.5*+W 0 ) ¸ ¸ (D  E )Wmn ¸
yy
¨  ¨ (1  X ) ¨©
2

© © h ¹¹ ¹
V xy* (Q66 ( EU mn  DVmn  ( z  h0 )( E X mn  D Ymn )) cos D x cos E y

and the shear stress components are

­V *yz ½ ­ KQ44 (DWmn  X mn ) cos D x sin E y ½

® *¾ ® ¾ (3.7)
¯V xz ¿ ¯ KQ55 ( EWmn  Ymn ) sin D x cos E y ¿
13

3. Numerical Results
In this section, the effects of surface energy, neutral plane position and the plate aspect ratio
on the FG plate behavior are discussed. The obtained analytical solution is used here to compare
between the continuum analysis of simply supported FG ultra-thin plates with and without
incorporating surface effects.

3.1. Effect of Neutral Plan Position

Here in this section, the analyses of functionally graded (FG) plates are performed for a
combination of materials of type ceramic-metal. The lower plate surface is assumed to be
aluminum while the top surface is assumed to be zirconia. Material properties parameter
n [0 , 2] are considered. Physical material properties are given in Table 1. An all edges simply
supported square plate, of side a 0.2 m and thickness h 0.01m is taken for study, where
surface energy effects can be neglected. The plate is subjected to a uniformly distributed
mechanical transverse load on the top surface.

To study the effect of neutral plane position, where zero stress is located, on the plate
behavior, the neutral plane shift from the mid-plane, which dividing the geometrical thickness of
the plate, must be predetermined. Figure 2 shows the effect of the grading parameter n on the
position of the neutral plane of the plate for different EU / EL ratios. The upper surface modulus

of elasticity, EU , equals 151GPa . It can be noted that the non-dimensional shift ( h0 / h )

changes with the variation of the grading parameter n .

Figure 3, shows the non-dimensional central deflection of a FG plate, subjected to a

uniformly distributed transverse mechanical load on the top surface. From Fig. 3, it can be noticed
that the central deflection of the FG plate (of the previous example) decreases noticeably by
raising the value of the material parameter ( n ), because of the increasing of the material rigidity.
The rigidity of the material increases by increasing the volume fraction of ceramic, as a
consequence of raising the value of ( n ). Table 2, shows the numerical results of a set of
numerical simulations with different values of ( n ). The table shows a difference in central
deflection while considering and neglecting neutral plane position. The plate provides a higher
central deflection when considering neutral plane position rather than the mid-plane of the plate.
The results of Fig. 3-a are consistent with those presented in [39].

The variation of the axial stress V xx at the center of the FG plate and along the thickness

direction, for different values of the material parameter n, is shown in Fig. 4. The stress of power
14

law FGM (P-FGM) plate can be represented as a cubic function of z for material parameter
n 2 . The maximum tensile stress along the thickness of the FG plate is located at the bottom
edge ( z h / 2 ) and increases as the ratio EU / EL increases. However, the maximum

compressive stress is occurred at the top surface ( z  h / 2 ) and is high for small EU / EL . For

the ratio EU / EL 1 in which the FGM plate becomes a homogenous isotropic plate, the stress

distribution is a linear function of z and the maximum stress value is occurred at the top and
bottom surface of the plate. The neutral-plane – where zero axial stress is located - is shifted from
the mid-plane to the top surface, (Fig.4-b), by variation of grading parameter n while for
isotropic homogenous plate; the zero stress is located at the mid-plane. The results of Fig.4-a are
consistent with those presented by Croce and Venini [39], where they assumed that neutral plane
coincides with the mid-plane.

3.2. Effect of Surface Energy

In this section, two numerical examples are performed for two cases of isotropic FG plates
of side lengths a and b and of thickness h . The plate is expected to be functionally graded
according to the simple power law of the two constituent materials. The plate is subjected to a
sinusoidal transverse distributed mechanical load of intensity p .

The following points will be discussed during the present numerical simulations:

1 Study of the effect of the grading parameter n on the FG plate response.

2 Study of the effect of the exact neutral plane position on the FG plate response.
3 Study of the effect of aspect ratio a / b on the FG plate response.

3.2.1. Analysis of Case 1 FG plate

The FG plate for Case1 is expected to be made of Silicon (Si) at the upper surface and
Aluminum (Al) at the lower surface. Table 3, shows the bulk material properties and the surface
properties of Al and Si.

An Al/Si infinitely wide isotropic FG plate of length a and of thickness h ( a / h 10 ) is

assumed to study the effect of grading parameter n on its response. The plate is subjected to a
sinusoidal load of intensity p 1 Pa .

Figure 5, shows the non-dimensional difference between central deflection predicted by the
size-dependent model (continuum model incorporating surface effects) and the classical

continuum model (neglecting surface effects) (Z  Z0 / Z0 ) for different grading material

*
15

parameter n of the FG plate based on Mindlin hypotheses. The results are agreed with that
obtained at [37]. The figure shows that the FG and homogenous films provides negative non-
dimensional differences in deflection, which means that surface tensions stiffen the films. Also,
the surface tension of Al is higher than that of Si, so the non-dimensional differences for Al are
higher than that of Si. Increasing the grading parameter n reducing the non-dimensional
differences in deflection, this is for FG plates whose upper surface tension is smaller than its lower
surface tension.

Figures 6-8, show the non-dimensional stress distribution through the FG plate thickness for
different grading parameter n and plate thicknesses based on Mindlin plate theory. The non-

dimensional axial stresses (V xx V xx / p) are calculated at the center point ( x a / 2) for

different plate thicknesses. Fig. 6 shows a linear distribution for axial stress. For grading
parameters more than zero, a nonlinear distribution is presented. The axial stresses are shown to
be compressive at top surface and tensile at bottom surface of the plate. The figures show that
surface tensions stiffen the plate, hence reduce the plate axial stresses. These stresses decrease
gradually by decreasing the plate thickness. Also, the neutral plane moves upward to the upper
surface, where higher young’s modulus, although it has lower surface tension. The figures show,
for isotropic plates the neutral plane coincides with the geometrical mid-plane of the plate. While
for FG plates the neutral plane position is independent on the plate surface properties and plate
thickness because of the applied boundary conditions.

Figure 9, shows the non-dimensional shear stress (V xz V xz / p) distribution through the

plate thickness for grading parameter n 2 at the outer edge of the plate ( x 0 ). The figure
shows that reducing the plate thickness reducing the induced shear stress.

3.2.2. Analysis of Case 2 FG plate

The FG plate for Case 2 is expected to be made of Material II at the upper surface and
Material I at the lower surface. Table 4, shows the bulk material properties and the surface
properties of Material II and Material I.

Consider a cylindrical bending of an infinitely wide FG plate, made of Material II and

Material I, of length a , and of thickness h . The length-to-thickness ratio is expected to be
a / h 10 and the plate is subjected to a sinusoidal load of intensity p 1 Pa . Fig. 10, shows the
non-dimensional difference between central deflection predicted by the size-dependent continuum

model and the classical continuum model ( (Z  Z0 / Z0 ) ). The results are agreed with the
*
16

analytical results obtained at [38]. The figure shows that the FG and homogenous films provides
negative non-dimensional differences in deflection, which means that surface tensions stiffen the
films. Also, the non-dimensional differences in deflection for homogenous films (Material II and
Material I) with different surface properties (d) and the same surface properties (s) are shown. For
Material II (d) film, of different surface properties, there will be differences in central deflections
unlike that of the same surface properties Material II (s).

Now, consider a simply supported rectangular plate of side lengths a and b and of
thickness h . The plate is subjected to a sinusoidal distributed load of intensity p . The plate is
functionally graded (Material II and Material I). The following non-dimensional parameters are
introduced for use within the numerical simulations to be presented next (here p denotes the

intensity of the applied mechanical load and EL is the Young's modulus at the bottom face

(Material I)):

Central deflection Z Z * / h
100(1  X 2 ) p
Non  dimensional load intensity P
EL

Figure 11 and Fig. 12, show the distribution of non-dimensional deflections along x  axis
(at y b / 2 ) for different plate thicknesses and grading parameter n . The plate is expected to be
square ( a b 10h ) and functionally graded according to n 2 (for Fig. 11), and of thickness
h 1u107 m (for Fig. 12). The plate is subjected to a sinusoidal load of intensity p 1 Pa .
Figure 11, shows size-independent deflections for macro-scale thicknesses and size-dependent
deflections for micro-scale thicknesses. Reducing the plate thickness reduces the plate deflections,
where the surface effect becomes significant and stiffens the plate, as we concluded from Fig. 10.
Figure 12, shows the effect of grading material parameter n on the plate’s deflections. The figure
shows that the deflection of homogenous plate made of Material II is higher than that of
homogenous plate made of Material I. This is due the high surface tension of Material I, although
of its lower young’s modulus. The figure shows a decrease in plate deflection while increasing the
grading parameter n .

Figures 13 and Fig. 14, show the non-dimensional central deflection (at x a / 2 and
y b / 2 ) versus non-dimensional load intensity P for different plate thicknesses and different
grading parameter n . Figure 13, shows size-dependent deflections for micro-scale plate
thicknesses. Increasing the non-dimensional load intensity increases the deflection, while reducing
the plate thicknesses reducing its deflection due to the increase in its surface tension effects.
17

Figure 14, shows the effect of grading material parameter n on the plate’s deflections, while
varying the non-dimensional load intensity. The figure shows a decrease in plate deflection while
increasing the grading parameter n as we concluded in Fig. 12.

Figure 15 and Fig. 16, show the effect of aspect ratio a / b on the deflection of a
rectangular FG plate for different plate thicknesses and different grading parameter n . The plate
width is held at b 10h . The maximum deflection increases with the increase in the aspect ratio
up to 4 for macro-scale thicknesses. For micro-scale thicknesses the aspect ratio effect reduces by
reducing the plate thickness. Also, the effect of grading parameter n on the plate deflection for
different aspect ratios is presented at Fig. 16. The figure shows that increasing the grading
parameter n decreases the plate deflection as we concluded at Fig.12.

Figure 17, shows the effect of surface tension on the FG plate deflection for different
grading parameter n . The non-dimensional central deflection is shown versus the surface tension

ratio W 0U / W 0 L of a FG plate of thickness h 1u10 m . For ratios higher than 15, where the
7

lower surface tension is held at W 0 L 0.11kN / m , a constant deflection is obtained. Also,

increasing the grading parameter n decreases the plate deflection.

4. Conclusions
In this paper, an analytical solution is investigated based on Mindlin plate theory for
continuum incorporating surface energy to study the response of ultra-thin FG plates. A series of
continuum governing differential equations and modified equivalent material stiffnesses are
derived. A simply supported micro/nano scaled films subjected to a transverse mechanical load
are discussed. Also, a parametric study is provided to investigate the effects of surface energy,
neutral plane and plate aspect ratio on the FG plate response. The numerical results lead to the
following conclusions:

1 For ultra-thin plates, the size-dependent analysis considering the effect of surface energy of
such plates is preferred rather than the classical continuum analysis neglecting surface
effects.
2 The size effect becomes significant as the plate thickness decreases and approaches its
intrinsic thickness.
3 The surface energy could stiffen or soften the plate material stiffness depending on surface
material properties.
4 The ultra-thin plate response depends on the surface energy, which requires a precise
measurement technique or efficient atomistic computational means to predict the material
constants of the bulk and surface materials.
18

5 It is noticed that the accounting of the position of neutral plane, rather than mid-plane, and
in conjunction of surface energy effects has a predictable effect on the rigidities and
deflection of the FG plates.

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Fig. 1 Coordinate system used for a typical FG plate.

Fig. 2 Effect of the grading parameter n on the position of the neutral plane of FG plate.

Fig. 3 Non-dimensional center deflection of P-FGM plate versus non-dimensional load

intensity (mechanical load) (a) Neglecting neutral plane position, (b) Considering neutral plane
position.

Fig. 4 Non-dimensional axial stress distribution through the thickness of FG plate subjected
to mechanical loads (a) Neglecting neutral plane position, (b) Considering neutral plane position

(* Non-Dimensional axial stress  xx  xx ( h2 / a 2 p) Non-Dimensional coordinate across the

thickness h z / h ).

Fig. 5 Non-dimensional differences between deflection predicted by continuum model

incorporating surface effects and classical continuum model for a / h 10 (Mindlin plate theory).

Fig. 6 Non-dimensional axial stress distribution through plate thickness ( n 0 ).

Fig. 7 Non-dimensional axial stress distribution through plate thickness ( n 0.5 ).

Fig. 8 Non-dimensional axial stress distribution through plate thickness ( n 2 ).

24

Fig. 9 Non-dimensional shear stress distribution through plate thickness at plate outer edge (
n 2 ).

Fig. 10 Non-dimensional differences between central deflection predicted by the size-

dependent continuum model and the classical continuum model.

Fig. 11 The deflection distribution along x  axis for different plate thicknesses ( n 2 ).

Fig. 12 The deflection distribution along x -axis for different grading parameter n (

h 1u107 m ).

Fig. 13 Non-dimensional central deflection versus non-dimensional load intensity for

different plate thicknesses ( n 2 ).

Fig. 14 Non-dimensional central deflection versus non-dimensional load intensity for

7
different grading parameter n ( h 1u10 m ).

Fig. 15 Non-dimensional central deflection versus aspect ratio for different plate thicknesses
(n 2 ).

Fig. 16 Non-dimensional central deflection versus aspect ratio for different grading parameter

n ( h 1u107 m ).

Fig. 17 Non-dimensional central deflection versus surface tension ratio for different grading
7
parameter n ( h 1u10 m ).

Table 1 Material properties of Aluminum and Zirconia.

Property Aluminum Zirconia
Young's modulus E 70 Gpa EU 151Gpa
L
Poisson's ratio Q L 0.3 Q U 0.3
Thermal conductivity OL 204W / mK OU 2.09W / mK
Thermal expansion D L 23x106 / C DU 10 x106 / C
Yield strength V Y 100 GPa V Y 350 GPa

Table 2 Non-Dimensional central deflection versus non-dimensional load intensity.

P Non-dimensional central deflection ( w )
Metal n 0.5 n 1 n 2 Ceramic
Mid Neutral Mid Neutral Mid Neutra
plane plane plane plane plane l plane
1 0.0452 0.0317 0.0328 0.0287 0.03 0.0267 0.0277 0.021
2 0.0905 0.0633 0.0656 0.0573 0.06 0.0534 0.0554 0.0419
3 0.1357 0.095 0.0985 0.086 0.09 0.0801 0.0831 0.0629
4 0.181 0.1266 0.1313 0.1146 0.1199 0.1067 0.1108 0.0839
5 0.2262 0.1583 0.1641 0.1433 0.1499 0.1334 0.1385 0.1049
6 0.2714 0.1899 0.1969 0.172 0.1799 0.1601 0.1662 0.1258
25

7 0.3167 0.2216 0.2298 0.2006 0.2099 0.1868 0.1939 0.1468

8 0.3619 0.2532 0.2626 0.2293 0.2399 0.2135 0.2216 0.1678
9 0.4072 0.2849 0.2954 0.2579 0.2699 0.2402 0.2493 0.1888
10 0.4524 0.3166 0.3282 0.2866 0.2998 0.2669 0.277 0.2097
11 0.4979 0.3482 0.361 0.3153 0.3298 0.2935 0.3047 0.2307
12 0.5428 0.3799 0.3939 0.3439 0.3598 0.3202 0.3324 0.2517

Table 3 Material Properties of the FG plate for Case 1.

Property Aluminum Silicon
Young's modulus E 68.5 GPa EU 210 GPa
L
Poisson's ratio Q L 0.35 QU 0.35
Surface tension W 0 L 0.91 N / m W 0U 0.605 N / m
Surface Lama P0U 2.774 , O0U 4.488 N / m P0 L 0.376 , O0 L 6.842 N / m
constants

Table 4 Material Properties of the FG plate for Case 2.

Property Material I Material II
Young's modulus E 56.25 GPa E 177.3 GPa
L U
Poisson's ratio Q L 0.27 Q U 0.27
Surface tension W 0 L 0.11u10 N / m W 0U 1.7 N / m
3

Surface Lama P0 L 8000, O0U 7000 P0U 2.5 , O0 L 8 N / m 

constants
Figure(s)

FIGURE 1 Coordinate system used for a typical FG plate.

FIGURE 2 Effect of the grading parameter on the position of the neutral plane of FG plate
 (a)

(b)

FIGURE 3 Non-dimensional center deflection of P-FGM plate versus non-dimensional load

intensity (mechanical load) (a) Neglecting neutral plane position, (b) Considering neutral plane

position.
 (a)

(b)

FIGURE 4 Non-dimensional axial stress distribution through the thickness of FG plate subjected

to mechanical loads (a) Neglecting neutral plane position, (b) Considering neutral plane position

(* Non-Dimensional axial stress * Non-Dimensional coordinate across the

thickness )
FIGURE 5 Non-dimensional differences between deflection predicted by continuum model

incorporating surface effects and classical continuum model for (Mindlin plate theory)
FIGURE 6 Non-dimensional axial stress distribution through plate thickness ( )
FIGURE 7 Non-dimensional axial stress distribution through plate thickness ( )
FIGURE 8 Non-dimensional axial stress distribution through plate thickness ( )
FIGURE 9 Non-dimensional shear stress distribution through plate thickness at plate outer edge

( )
FIGURE 10 Non-dimensional differences between central deflection predicted by the size-

dependent continuum model and the classical continuum model

FIGURE 11 The deflection distribution along axis for different plate thicknesses ( )
FIGURE 12 The deflection distribution along -axis for different grading parameter

( )
FIGURE 13 Non-dimensional central deflection versus non-dimensional load intensity for

different plate thicknesses ( )

FIGURE 14 Non-dimensional central deflection versus non-dimensional load intensity for

different grading parameter ( )

FIGURE 15 Non-dimensional central deflection versus aspect ratio for different plate

thicknesses ( )
FIGURE 16 Non-dimensional central deflection versus aspect ratio for different grading

parameter ( )
FIGURE 17 Non-dimensional central deflection versus surface tension ratio for different

grading parameter ( )