Stability of axially compressed truncated conical shells with functionally graded layer surrounded by elastic medium

In this thesis, stability analyses are presented for three-layer truncated conical shells with functional graded materials (FGM) on elastic medium. It is assumed that the material properties of the functionally alternating materials are graded to the simple power law and exponential distributions in terms of volume fractions of their components in the thickness direction. Winkler and Pasternak foundation models are used to describe the effect of the elastic foundation on the truncated conical shell. The fundamental relationships for the three-layer truncated conical shell with an FGM middle layer are derived using modified Donnell-type dynamic stability and compatibility equations. The governing equations are solved using the Galerkin method. The numerical results give dimensionless critical axial load parameter values for variations in the shell thickness-FGM thickness ratio, length-radius ratio, foundation stiffnesses and composition profiles of the FGM middle layer.