In-plane vibration analysis of elastically restrained FGM skew plates using variational differential quadrature method

This work presents an accurate in-plane vibration analysis of functionally graded material (FGM) skew plates with elastically restrained boundaries using the variational differential quadrature method (VDQM). The weak form of the governing equations is derived by integrating two-dimensional elasticity theory with Hamilton's principle. The differential and integral operators are directly converted into matrix forms, thereby removing the necessity for higher-order derivative approximations in the displacement field. Transformation matrices are then developed for both interior and boundary nodes to link the governing equations with the boundary conditions, leading to the formulation of the vibration eigenvalue equations for FGM skew plates. Various factors, including aspect ratios, skew angles, boundary restraints, and gradient indices, are considered to investigate the in-plane vibration mode characteristics of FGM skew plates. Detailed solution procedures are provided, and numerical examples using the proposed solutions indicate that the VDQM exhibits superior numerical convergence and stability compared to other existing methods. The study also investigates the influence of highly skewed plates (75°), where stress singularities arise at the corners. This aspect is crucial for in-plane vibration analysis and has garnered limited attention in the existing literature. Furthermore, the dynamic analysis of FGM skew plates reveals a coupling between normal and tangential vibration modes.