Thermoelectric buckling response of nonuniform sigmoid functionally graded piezoelectric (SFGP) plate: Influence of elastic foundation and porosity

This research examines the porosity and elastic foundation-dependent buckling behavior of a nonuniform sigmoid functionally graded piezoelectric (SFGP) square plate under thermomechanical and electromechanical loading. Material properties follow a sigmoid distribution, and the equations of motion are derived using von Kármán nonlinear strain theory, first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT), and the energy principle. A nine-node higher-order finite element (HOFE) method with 63 degrees of freedom per element is employed, and the modified Newton–Raphson method solves the governing equations. The approach is validated against existing literature, ensuring accuracy and convergence. Key parameters such as tapered ratio, temperature change, material exponent, applied voltage, porous exponent, and elastic foundation stiffness are analyzed. Results highlight the significant influence of tapered geometry, porosity, and elastic foundations on the structural response of the SFGP plate in thermoelectric environments. This study is crucial for designing high-performance aerospace structures, electronic components, and energy harvesting systems. The plates can be used in smart aircraft skins, thermal protection panels, and advanced sensors where resistance to thermal, electrical, and mechanical loads is essential. Additionally, porous SFGP plates integrated with elastic foundations can enhance shock absorption in biomedical implants, MEMS devices, and structural health monitoring systems.