A study on the effect of Sic particle distribution on the creep behavior of variable-thickness plates composed of functionally graded materials (FGMs(

This paper investigates the creep behavior of a variable-thickness rectangular plate reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) particles dispersed within an aluminum (Al) matrix. The distribution of SiC particles varies along the plate's thickness, and the structure is subjected to constant mechanical loading and non-uniform thermal loading, modeled as a linear temperature gradient through the thickness. The Classical Plate Theory is employed to derive the governing equations incorporating creep deformation, considering that both mechanical and thermal properties vary as functions of the local SiC volume fraction. To analyze creep behavior, Mendelson’s successive approximation method combined with the Prandtl–Reuss constitutive equations is used. The resulting system of equations is solved using the Differential Quadrature Method (DQM). The study aims to evaluate different reinforcement distribution profiles to identify the optimal configuration in terms of failure criteria and long-term creep displacement. Specifically, the plate's creep response is examined for various SiC distributions with an average volume fraction of 25% over a 5-year period.