Abstract: A hybrid rectangular plate comprised of a functionally graded materials substrate with piezoelectric patches perfectly bonded on itstop and bottom surfaces as actuators was investigated. Based on the classical theory of plate, the equilibrium differential equation was deduced for the bending analysis of the thin elastic plate with functionally graded structure on the basis of assuming that functionally graded material properties obey a power law including thickness. The deflection was presented for a simply supported rectangular plate made of functionally graded material bonded piezoelectric patches subjected to electricmechanical loading by means of Navier and Levy’s method. The numerical examples were given and the influences of functionally gradient exponent and applied voltage on the bending deflection were discussed. These results show that gradientexponent has an important effect on the bending deflection and the deflection can be controlled effectively by means of regulating the magnitude and direction of voltage applied on actuators.

Key words: bending control, piezoelectric patches, functionally graded materials, thin elastic plate