Abstract
In this study, we developed a new classical thin plate theory of inhomogeneous materials whose material properties vary in the thickness direction, which can unify the two exiting theories. It is presented that the equation with respect to deflection can be expressed with the bending stiffness and thermal bending moment with respected to the neutral plane of an inhomogeneous plate. In addition, performing the three-dimensional elastic finite element analysis of the simply supported irihomogeneous plate subjected to uniform transverse load, we discuss the validity of the classical thin plate theory for inhomogeneous materials, and possibility of development of a new high-order shear deformable plate theory to modify Reddy's third-order shear deformable plate theory.
