Response Sheet

Response to the comme nts of examiner Prof. B.P.Patel (Professor, Department of

Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India)

S.No. Reviewer’s Authors Response

Comment
i. Page 31, section Relevant changes in thesis at page no. 31 are made to
3.3.4: The use of derive the equilibrium equations based on the principle of
principle of virtual virtual work.
work is more
appropriate to derive
the equilibrium
equations for non-
conservative systems
such as the elasto-
plastic deformation
of
the FGM plates
considered in the
thesis.
ii. Page No. 35, section Actually, the Return Mapping algorithm based on the
3.4: How do you work of Wilkins (1963) and Simo and Taylor (1986) was
ensure that the final applied to keep the position of final state of stress on
state of stress lies on the updated yield surface. The same is stated now in the
the updated yield last paragraph of the Section 3.3.5.
surface? Further, a brief description of the algorithm is also
mentioned in the steps 6 & 7 of Table 3.3. The same is
described below for the ready reference of the examiner.

The plasticity problem is solved by assuming it a strain-

driven process, i.e. for a given increment in the applied
total strain,

The numerical approximations of the corresponding

stress and state variables at time t n+1 are determined
based on their values at time t n .
When computing the solution at time t n+1 , we first
compute the trial elastic state by assuming that the
material response is purely elastic (no plastic evolution)
at the time of applying :
 The updated stresses and strains are substituted in
yielding criterion to perform the plasticity check for the
following cases:
a. If ( there is elastic deformation
and =0
b. If ( there is plastic deformation
and stress correction procedure is to be
applied to correct the state of stresses, value
of is calculated by applying Kuhn-
Tucker consistency conditions i.e.,
( and ( .
And state variables are updated as follows

The elastic trial and plastic corrector steps for return

mapping algorithm are shown in Fig..

iii. Page No. 37: What is The value of q, the stress transfer parameter or stress-to-
the justification for strain transfer ratio, is basically determined
the experimentally that would depend upon the properties of
choice of q as 4.5 constituent materials, the microstructure interaction and
GPa? the applied loading conditions. Its value ranges from 0 to
with represents the case when the constituent
materials deform identically in the loading direction (i.e.,
Voigt model), while corresponds to the case
wherein the constituent materials experience the same
stress level (i.e., Reuss model). Due to the complicated
microstructure of FGM, the constituting elements in
FGM neither experience equal deformation nor equal
stress. Generally, a nonzero finite value of q is assumed
to approximately reflect the actual effects of micro-
structural interaction and loading conditions in FGM. By
 performing experiments on dual-phase steels, over a wide
range of volume fractions and applied strains, a value of
q = 4.5 GPa was found by Fischmeister and Karlssor
(1977). Subsequently, this value of q has been shown to
yield a reasonable agreement with experimental and
numerical results for Ni-Al2 O3 FGMs, over a range of
volume fractions of the constituents, by many
researchers:(Bhattacharyya et al., 2007; Cho and Ha,
2001; Cho and Oden, 2000; Choi et al., 2008; Finot et
al., 1996; Giannakopoulos et al., 1995; Kapuria et al.,
2008; Kesler et al., 1997). Therefore, based on the past
studies, in the present thesis as well, the value of q = 4.5
GPa is considered to simulate the elastic-plastic response
of Ni-Al2 O 3 FGMs.
The same discussion is mentioned in thesis at page no.24.
iv. Page No. 39, Table Although the more common method to obtain monotonic
4.2.1: Convergence convergence of results is to embed the old mesh in the
study is typically new mesh by the way reducing the element edge length
done by reducing the by half in successive mesh refinements, as mentioned by
element edge length the examiner, but this is not the necessary condition to
by half in successive get convergence. Convergence can also be obtained non-
mesh refinements. monotonically. The mesh refinement technique adopted
This is not followed in the current work has been based on the literature (Jain
in the thesis. Why? and Kumar, 2004; Kumar and Singh, 2011, 2010; Nand
Jha and Kumar, 2002; Singh and Kumar, 1999, 1998,
2010; Srikanth and Kumar, 2003) on buckling and
postbuckling analysis of composite plate with mesh of
3×3, 4×4 and 5×5 elements. In the current work, even by
using the mesh of 3×3, 4×4 and 5×5 elements monotonic
convergence of results has been obtained.
v. Page No. 43, Fig. Similar to unsymmetric composite plates, the SSSC and
4.2.5: How have you SSSS FGM plates posses non-bifurcation type of
calculated buckling buckling and there is, instead, a continuous transition
load for SSSC and from a pre- to post-buckled state without a clear critical
SSSS plates with point as shown at page no. 43, Fig. 4.2.5 on the
smooth load- equilibrium path. This can be attributed to the presence
deflections curves of higher degree of stretching-bending coupling effects
without the presence which causes transverse deflection even in the absence of
of critical point? pronounced bending load.
Due to these smooth load-deflections curves the buckling
load cannot be identified as usual but an approach
consistent with the criterion used to determine the
buckling load of imperfect shells by Yamaki (1960) is
used in the present work. This approach require the
calculation of the second derivative (curvature) of the
respective load-transverse deflection (equilibrium) path
 using a finite difference scheme and a change in the sign
of the curvature at any given analysis increment is noted.
The change in sign corresponds to the buckling point on
postbuckling equilibrium path of the plate and the
corresponding value of the load at this point is considered
as the buckling load.
The above description is added in thesis on page no. 35.
vi. Page No. 60: Specify At page no. 60, mentioned boundary condition SSSS is
SSSS whether BC1 BC2 (i.e., simply supported with immovable edges).
or BC2. Same description is added in thesis at page no. 62.
vii. Page No. 61, Table A satisfactory agreement between the present work and
5.2.1: Convergence Zhao et al. (2009) results for clamped FGM plate and for
study is not done by simply supported & clamped homogenous (i.e., n = 0)
reducing the element plates can be observed from Table 5.2.1. However, the
edge length by half difference in the results of present work and Zhao et al.
in successive mesh (2009) for simply-supported (SSSS) FGM plate can be
refinements. Why is attributed to the fact that Zhao et al. (2009) performed
there a significant linear bifurcation analysis to calculate thermal buckling
difference between load of FGM plate in contrary to the present work
thesis and Zhao et al. wherein nonlinear analysis is performed and buckling
(2009) results for point is calculated as per the method explained at Sr.No.
SSSS plates (n = 1, (v) of this response sheet.
2, 5)? As far as, the clamped FGM plate, and simply-supported
& clamped homogenous (i.e., n = 0) plates are concerned,
the previous studies (Prakash et al., 2009) have shown
that these plate posses bifurcation type buckling and
hence, can be studied even by using linear analysis.
However, in the case of simply-supported FGM plates,
due to the presence of stretching-bending coupling
bifurcation buckling remain absent and hence, linear
analysis may not predict the correct buckling load.
For the sake of clarification, the above discussion is
included in the thesis at page # 62.

As mentioned earlier, the more common method to

obtain monotonic convergence of results is to embed the
old mesh in the new mesh by the way reducing the
element edge length by half in successive mesh
refinements, as mentioned by the examiner, but this is not
the necessary condition to get convergence. Convergence
can also be obtained non- monotonically. The mesh
refinement technique adopted in the current work has
been based on the literature (Jain and Kumar, 2004;
Kumar and Singh, 2011, 2010; Nand Jha and Kumar,
2002; Singh and Kumar, 1999, 1998, 2010; Srikanth and
Kumar, 2003) on buckling and postbuckling analysis of
 composite plate with mesh of 3×3, 4×4 and 5×5
elements. In the current work, even by using the mesh of
9×9, 10×10 and 11×11 elements, monotonic convergence
of results has been obtained.
viii. Page No. 73, Table At page no. 73, Table 5.3.2 critical buckling load is
5.3.2: Check the replaced by normalized thermal buckling load.
definition of critical
buckling load.
ix. Page No. 75, Fig. TD material properties are considered for all numerical
5.3.4: Specify studies conducted in chapter 5, except for the case
whether the results wherein the effects of TD and TID material properties on
are for TD or TID. thermal buckling and postbuckling responses are
examined.
The same is now clarified at page no. 61 of the thesis.
x. Page No. 79, Fig. Author did not notice any particular reasons to explain
5.3.6(i): Is there any the said response. This represents a random response.
explanation for
almost overlapping
of initial portions of
curves for A2 and A3
whereas later A1 and
A2 ?
xi. Page No. 90, Fig. At page no. 90, Fig. 6.2.3 the value of is
6.2.3: What is the used and mentioned at page no. 92 of the thesis.
value of ΔT?
xii. Page No. 96, Fig. In the Fig. 6.3.2 on page no. 96, the n = 0 corresponds to
6.3.2: Why is the homogenous isotropic material Ni, which posses
nature of curves for n bifurcation buckling phenomenon; whereas, n ≠ 0
= 0 is significantly corresponds to FGM, wherein the bifurcation buckling
different from other phenomenon would remain absent due to high degree of
cases? bending-extensional coupling.
Previous studies (Abrate, 2006; Aydogdu, 2008; Prakash
et al., 2009) revealed that in FGM plate (i.e., for all
nonzero values on n) the nonsymmetric distribution of
material properties causes additional bending moment
with the initiation of in-plane compression along with
constant and uniform temperature rise. This additional
bending moment induces transverse deflection in FGM
plate at the onset of compressive loading and leads to
overall different buckling and postbuckling response of
FGM plate as compared to homogenous plate with n = 0.
For the sake clarification, this discussion is added in the
thesis at page no. 96.
xiii. Page No. 105, Fig. At Page No. 105, Fig. 7.2.1 the considered FGM plate is
7.2.1: What are the of square shape (i.e., a/b = 1) with slenderness ratio b/h =
values of a/b, b/h? 50.
 The tensile strength As it known that the difference between tensile and
of ceramics is compressive strengths of ceramics is due to the brittle
significantly smaller nature of ceramics. When subjected to a tensile load,
than their ceramics, unlike metals, are unable to yield and relieve
compressive the stress because of the strong atomic bonding and
strength. How can presence of internal flaws. In case of FGM plates,
this aspect be however, the presence of a metal phase surrounding the
included in the ceramic phase avoids a premature fracture of ceramic
failure analysis of particles due to the ability of the metal to accommodate
FGM plates? the strain. Hence, the primary toughening mechanisms of
ceramic/metal FGM under tensile loading conditions are
crack deflection and/or arrest by the metal particles ahead
of a propagating crack, and crack front bowing by
interaction between the crack front and particles (Akira
Kawasaki, 2002). Due to the better connectivity of metal
particles the fracture toughness (i.e., a resistance to crack
propagation) of FGM, increases with the increase of
metallic phase. As evident from experimental results
(Akira Kawasaki, 2002) the fracture toughness of FGM
can be approximated with rule of mixtures. Also it is well
known that the fracture toughness holds a direct linear
relationship with stresses. Hence a variant of rule of
mixtures (e.g., modified rule of mixtures, or TTO like
model) along with some suitable failure criterion based
on dominating metallic/ceramic phase can also be applied
to predict the critical stresses and failure in FGM under
tensile loading.

xiv. Page No. 141, Fig. In the case of mechanical load combined with
9.2.1: Why is the temperature rise of ΔT = 100 0 C, the yielding has
nature of the curve initiated at an early stage, but overall the material can
for ΔT = 100 0 C did carry further load before it is failed by complete loss of
not change after the stiffness. Whereas, in the other two cases initial yielding
onset of yielding has taken place at a later stage where the overall material
similar to other two has little stiffness left to sustain further load. Therefore
cases? the nature of the curve for ΔT = 100 0 C did not change
after the onset of yielding similar to other two cases.
xv. Page No. 145, Fig. The discontinuity in the slope of the curves at page no.
9.2.3: Discontinuity 145, Fig. 9.2.3 is due to the layer-wise modeling of FGM
in the slope of the plate.
curves?
Response to the comments of examiner Prof.Dr. Metin AYDOĞDU (Professor,
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Trakya Unive rsity ,Turkey)
S.No. Reviewer’s Comme nt
xvi. It is known that physical
mid-plane of FGM plate (or
beam, shells) and neutral
surface are not same plane.
Therefore displacement
field and rigidities may be
obtained by using correct
neutral surface. This point
should be included in the
thesis.
Authors Response
It is observed by many researchers (Bellifa et al.,
2016; Bouderba et al., 2013; Chi and Chung,
2006; Prakash et al., 2009; Yin et al., 2013;
Zhang, 2013; Zhang and Zhou, 2008) that due to
material inhomogenity, the neutral surface and
physical mid-plane of FGM plate do not coincide
with each other, which causes a strong coupling
between stretching and bending deformations.
With additional stretching–bending coupling term,
the resulting constitutive and governing equations
of FGM plate become more complex that in-turn
makes the structural analysis of FGM plate more
difficult. In the meanwhile, the concept of
physical neutral surface has been adopted in
several studies (Bellifa et al., 2016; Bouderba et
al., 2013; Bouiadjra et al., 2013; Hamidi et al.,
2015; Prakash et al., 2009; Yahia et al., 2015; Yin
et al., 2013; Zhang, 2013; Zhang and Zhou, 2008),
to vanish the coupling effect from governing
equations of FGM plate and to transform the
equations into simpler forms as those of
homogenous isotropic plates. For instance, by
writing the governing equations of FGM plate
based on physical neutral surface, Arbate (2006)
found that critical buckling loads of FGM plate
are nearly proportional to those of its
homogeneous counterparts and the proportionality
factor depends upon through-the-thickness
variation of the elastic moduli. Zhang and Zhou
(2008) also applied the concept of physical neutral
surface to uncouple the stretching-bending terms
in the governing differential equations and
reported a proportional relationship between the
buckling load of thin rectangular FGM plates and
those of the homogenous ones. As suggested in
previous study (Prakash et al., 2009), the
formulation based on the neutral surface or the
mid-surface both produce same results and actual
FGM plate behavior can be analyzed using either
formulation. Furthermore, for geometrical
nonlinear analysis of FGM plate, Arbate (2008)
mentioned that the coupling effect cannot be

xvii. Conditions for the
bifurcation buckling of
FGM plates needs further
explanations by considering
previous studies given in
open literature (Leissa,
Leissa and Qatu, Aydogdu)
xviii. In order to explain current
results the study of Abrate
can be used. In this study it
is shown that results of
FGM plate lie between two
constituents.
xix. Continuity of the transverse
shear stresses is not
satisfied in present model.
This point may be added in
the study or may be
considered in the future
studies.
xx. Buckling of shear loaded The suggested study has been kept out of the
FGM plates have not been scope of thesis. But can be considered as implicit
considered in the present recommendations for future research.
study. Considering shear
loading will increase
completeness of the study.
Also tension-compression
type of loading would be
eliminated using the concept of physical neutral
surface. Hence in present thesis the kinematic
equations based on physical mid-plane are utilized
to simulate the stability of FGM plate.
The same discussion is added in the Section 3.3.1.
The discussion along with relevant references, to
explain the presence of non-bifurcation buckling
of simply supported FGM plate, is added in thesis
in section 4.2.3 at page no. 44.
By performing linear bending, buckling and free
vibration analysis of FGM plates Abrate (2006,
2008) concluded that deflections, buckling loads
and natural frequencies of FGM plates are nearly
proportional to those of its homogeneous
counterpart with the proportionality factor
depending upon through-the-thickness variation of
the material properties. However, as mentioned in
many previous studies: Aliaga and Reddy, 2004;
Park and Kim, 2006; Praveen and Reddy, 1998;
Yang and Shen, 2002, those results do not
necessarily hold true for nonlinear analysis of
FGM plates and hence, not used in the present
study.
Author agrees that this would be substantial to
consider the continuity of shear stresses, but that
would not be in the scope of the present thesis, but
can be taken in future work.
 considered.

xxi. Adding a nomenclature may Although, symbols and abbreviations are

help readability of the explained in the body of text of the thesis as and
study. when they appear, but considering the examiner’s
suggestion, a consolidated list of symbols and
abbreviations has been added in the start of the
thesis.
xxii. Chapter 4, 5, 6 and 7, 8, 9 Author agrees that combining thesis chapters 4-6
may be combined in order and 7-9 may improve the completeness of thesis.
to improve completeness. However, to ensure the conciseness of individual
chapter and flow of work for better readability of
the thesis, it is required to divide the thesis into
chapters 4-9.
xxiii. The manuscript should be The manuscript was checked for similarity index
checked for the similarity in using Turnitin software and it is actually a part of
the open literature. necessary checks to be applied while submitting
the thesis to the Academic Section of the Institute.
For the reference of the examiner, the report is
given in the end of this response sheet.
xxiv. Some mode shapes of Bifurcation buckling mode shapes for CCCC
bifurcation buckling can be FGM plate are now added as
added in order to increase Fig. 4.2.5, at page # 44 of thesis.
the importance of the study.
xxv. Why free boundary It is to mention that the boundary conditions are
conditions were not considered keeping in the mind the actual
considered? Some results practical conditions which are represented mostly
can be added for the free by clamped or simply-supported edges until you
boundary conditions. consider plate to be situated at the end boundary
of the physical system.
xxvi. Discussion of the numerical Numerical results are explained with physical
results should include some interpretations wherever required in the thesis and
reasons. This may help some new discussions mentioned bellow are also
understanding of results. added:
 Discussion about applicability of concept
of neutral surface for nonlinear analysis
of FGM plate is added in the Section
3.3.1.
 The discussion of non-bifurcation
buckling of simply supported FGM plate
is added in thesis in section 4.2.3 at page
no. 44.
 Relevant discussion to explain the
different buckling and postbuckling
responses of FGM plate as compared to
homogenous plate is now included in the
 thesis at page no. 96.
xxvii. Why generally thin plates As only the thin structures under in-plane
are considered for finding compression, caused by mechanical and/or
numerical results? It would thermal loads are more susceptible towards
be better to add some excessive transverse deflection and buckling &
results for thick plates. postbuckling phenomenon. Hence, in the present
work, only thin and moderately thick plates are
considered to explore their elastic and elastic-
plastic buckling, postbuckling behaviors.
xxviii. The reference list is weak. Citation in the thesis and overall references list at
Some references should be the end of thesis are carefully revised.
included in manuscript.
Also some of the references
cited in this thesis have not
been included in the
reference list.
xxix. The writing style of this The thesis has been careful re-examined to
thesis is good. But a careful improve readability of thesis from English point
editing may improve some of view.
English problems.
xxx. Page 1, second paragraph: Suggested change at page no. 1 is made in thesis.
….properties to an FGM
Suggestions: …properties to
a FGM
xxxi. Page 3, second paragraph: The part of sentence is removed.
…to simply reduce the
weight….
Suggestions: This part of
the sentence may be omitted
since it is hard to believe to
include a cutout in order to
decrease the weight of a
structure.
xxxii. Page 6, first Author agrees that von Mises criterion is part of
paragraph:…The elastic plasticity theory however in present thesis the
failure is also approached failure (i.e., prior to yielding) of elastic FGM plate
using 3-D von Mises is defined by virtue of 3-D von Mises yielding
criterion . criterion and hence replaced with 3-D failure
Suggestions: Von Mises criterion.
criterion is valid for plastic
deformation. This sentence
should be changed.
xxxiii. Page 8, first Suggested changes are made in thesis.
paragraph:…the present
chapter is targeted to give
complete background..
 Suggestions: the present
chapter is targeted to give
comprehensive
background..
xxxiv. Page 21, first paragraph: At page # The sentence is modeled as a laminated
.Before the summery.. plate composed of multiple perfectly-bonded
Page 22, first paragraph: layers
..along the thickness
direction is modeled as a
laminate composed..
Comment: It is better to use
“layer” instead of laminate.
xxxv. Page 24, Eq.(3.3): writing Suggested changes are made.
style of the equations is
unusual (denominator part).
This should be improved.
xxxvi. There are some undefined Suggested changes are made.
symbols. Please explain
each term after its first
appearance.
xxxvii. Page 32, after Eq.(3.47): Suggested changes are made.
Rewriting Eq.(3.48)..
Suggestion: Rewriting
Eq.(3.47)..
xxxviii. Page 33, second line : .. Suggested changes are made.
posted in Eq.(3.50).. is
obtained..
Suggestion:…posted in
Eq.(3.49) is obtained..
xxxix. Page 38, line 14:…Results Suggested changes are made.
for buckling and elastic
failure loads…
Suggestion: it is not good
idea to call elastic failure. It
is better to call it failure.
xl. Page 49, second line from At page 49 “good agreement” is replaced with
bottom: …the present work “reasonably satisfactory agreement”.
are in good agreement with
the results.. The results of present work match reasonably with
Comment: There are some those in the literature.
considerable differences
between present results and
references results.
Therefore, writing they are
in good agreement is a bit
wrong. This statement
 should be carefully used.
xli. Page 61, table 5.2.1. results
are not in good agreement
with the reference results.
Please check and explain.
xlii. Page 70, Table 5.3.1. Is not
it better chose cutout areas
identical? So, they could be
compared.
xliii. Page 75, Fig. 5.3.4. Only
one data is obtained for
some curves. Is there any
problem in curve fitting for
these results.
A satisfactory agreement between the present
work and Zhao et al. (2009) results for clamped
FGM plate and for simply supported & clamped
homogenous (i.e., n = 0) plates can be observed
from Table 5.2.1. However, the difference in the
results of present work and Zhao et al. (2009) for
simply-supported (SSSS) FGM plate can be
attributed to the fact that Zhao et al. (2009)
performed linear bifurcation analysis to calculate
thermal buckling load of FGM plate in contrary to
the present work wherein nonlinear analysis is
performed and buckling point is calculated as per
the method explained in thesis at page no. 35.
As far as, the clamped FGM plate, and simply-
supported & clamped homogenous (i.e., n = 0)
plates are concerned, the previous studies
(Prakash et al., 2009) have shown that these plate
posses bifurcation type buckling and hence, can
be studied even by using linear analysis.
However, in the case of simply-supported FGM
plates, due to the presence of stretching-bending
coupling bifurcation buckling remain absent and
hence, linear analysis may not predict the correct
buckling load.
For the sake of clarification, the above discussion
is included in the thesis at page # 62.
It is to clarify that the areas (i.e., A1 , A2 , or A3 ) of
circular, diamond and elliptical cutouts are same
and are taken equal to the areas of the
corresponding square cutout.
In Fig. 5.3.4. on page # 75, data points taken to
plot the curves are sufficiently large in number but
less number of data points are shown on these
curves just for better visibility.
 Response to the comments of examiner Prof. S. K. Rathore (Professor, Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Rajasthan Technical University, Kota, India)

S.No. Reviewer’s Comme nt Authors Response

xliv. In chapter 2, section 2.4, 2nd Suggested change is made in thesis.
para (page 16): Change “has
been reported” to “has
reported”.
xlv. In chapter 3
 On page 30, before Eq  Corrections are made in thesis.
3.33: Correct Eq. 3.31-
3.33 to Eq. 3.31-3.32.  Suggested changes are made in thesis.
 On page 32, in Eq 3.45
change lower limit of  Suggested changes are made in thesis.
integration to –h/2, in Eq.
3.46, change to  Relevant equations no., are included and
and after Eq. 3.47; change correction is made in thesis.
Rewriting Eq. 3.48 to Eq.
3.47.
 On page 33, Section 3.3.5,
second line: Change Eq.
3.50 to Eq. 3.49.
 On page 34, Table 3.3: For
step 1, include relevant
equation no. and for step 3,
correct ‘form’ to ‘from’.
xlvi. Include discussion on buckling . The discussion on buckling load determination
load determination and and condition for identifying failure load is
condition for identifying mentioned in thesis at page no. 35.
failure load during post
buckling analysis in Chapter
3?
xlvii. Buckling load and critical Critical buckling load is replaced by buckling
buckling load are used load in the thesis.
interchangeably in the thesis.
It should have been avoided.
xlviii. In Chapter 5  Thermal buckling “temperature” in the
 Caption of Table 5.2.1: Caption of Table 5.2.1 at page no. 61 is
Change thermal buckling taken from Ref. Zhao et al. (2009).
“temperature” to “load”.  Abscissa title of Fig 5.2.2. is changed to
 Fig 5.2.2. change abscissa “wmax /h”.
title to “wmax /h”.  The temperature rise of ΔT = 550 is
 On page 62, ΔT is taken as considered for imperforated plate to analyze
550 and on page 73, ΔT is its thermal postbuckling behavior and ΔT =
taken as 500 (clarify?) 500 is taken in the case of perforated plate.
 Table 5.3.3: Spelling-  Corrections are done.
 Material inhomogeneity
 On page 79, first line:
change “BC1” to “BC3”
xlix. Same abscissa title should be
used that is “w*” or “wmax /h”
in all the relevant figures.
l. “constant” temperature rise
and “constant and uniform”
temperature rise are used
interchangeably.
li. For calculating TD properties,
the absolute temperature is
desired. Only ΔT is mentioned
in the text.
lii. In Fig 7.3.3 and Fig 7.3.5,
what is “umax /h”?
liii. Edge boundary conditions not
mentioned in the study of
Section 7.2.3
liv. In caption of Table 8.2.1,
should it be “ΔTb ” in the
expression of λb?
lv. In chapter 9, ensure the
uniformity in λ notations in
Table 9.2.2, Table 9.2.3 and
elsewhere. λ is defined as non-
dimensionalized then why
have you taken normalized λ
in Table 9.2.2?
lvi. In caption of Fig 9.2.2, correct Spelling is corrected.
spelling of “uniform”.
 Changes are made.
Suggested changes are made.
The changes are made.
ΔT denoted the temperature rise with respect to
ambient temperature, i.e., ΔT = Tfinal – Tambient .
Hence absolute value of temperature considered
to calculate TD properties is given by Tfinal = ΔT
+ Tambient . The value of ambient temperature
taken in thesis is 270 C (i.e., 300 K).
The “umax /h” represents maximum axial
deflection description of which is added at Page
No. 103 in second paragraph.
The current study is carried out for FGM plates
with BC1 boundary conditions (i.e., all edges
simply-supported with movable edges) that is
mentioned on Page No. 103 in second line.
The λb represents normalized thermal buckling
load hence the expression is changed from
to .
Suggested changes in chapter 9, are made and
uniformity of λ notations is ensured by
carefully reexamine the thesis.