Size-Dependent Bending, Buckling and Free Vibration Analyses of Microscale Functionally Graded Mindlin Plates Based on the Strain Gradient Elasticity Theory

Abstract In this paper, a size-dependent microscale plate model is developed to describe the bending, buckling and free vibration behaviors of microplates made of functionally graded materials (FGMs). The size effects are captured based on the modified strain gradient theory (MSGT), and the formulation of the paper is on the basis of Mindlin plate theory. The presented model accommodates the models based upon the classical theory (CT) and the modified couple stress theory (MCST) if all or two scale parameters are set to zero, respectively. By using Hamilton's principle, the governing equations and related boundary conditions are derived. The bending, buckling and free vibration problems are considered and are solved through the generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method. A detailed parametric and comparative study is conducted to evaluate the effects of length scale parameter, material gradient index and aspect ratio predicted by the CT, MCST and MSGT on the deflection, critical buckling load and first natural frequency of the microplate. The numerical results indicate that the model developed herein is significantly size-dependent when the thickness of the microplate is on the order of the material scale parameters

Knowledge Management from a Social Perspective: The Contribution of Practice-Based Studies

A social perspective on knowledge does not exist independently of social relations and social practices. This chapter illustrates the travel of ideas around knowledge management within a social perspective through three processual activities: sharing knowledge and keeping knowledge alive within a community’s practices; embedding knowledge in material practices; and innovating as an ongoing process. Thus, we argue that a social perspective on knowing is based on three types of relations established between practices and knowledge: a relation of containment (knowledge is a process that takes place within situated practices); a relation of mutual constitution (knowing and practising produce each other); a relation of equivalence (the equivalence between knowing and practising arises when priority is denied to the knowledge that exists before the moment of its enactment). A social perspective on knowledge management has taken several turns from the concept of the community of practice to the development of practice-based studies