Two-dimensional modeling of heterogeneous structures using graded finite element and boundary element methods

In the present work, graded finite element and boundary element methods capable of modeling behaviors of structures made of nonhomogeneous functionally graded materials (FGMs) composed of two constituent phases are presented. A numerical implementation of Somigliana’s identity in two-dimensional displacement fields of the isotropic nonhomogeneous problems is presented using the graded elements. Based on the constitutive and governing equations and the weighted residual technique, effective boundary element formulations are implemented for elastic nonhomogeneous isotropic solid models. Results of the finite element method are derived based on a Rayleigh–Ritz energy formulation. The heterogeneous structures are made of combined ceramic–metal materials, in which the material properties vary continuously along the in-plane or thickness directions according to a power law. To verify the present work, three numerical examples are provided in the paper.