Some of the advantages of functionally graded materials (FGM) are related to their ability to provide a better thermal protection and reduce delamination tendencies present in layered composites. In particular, in ceramic-metal systems these goals can be achieved by increasing the concentration of ceramic particles in the region adjacent to the heated surface using a heterogeneous single layered structure. The unfortunate by-products of such design are asymmetry about the middle surface of the structure and bending-stretching coupling. As a result, displacements and stresses increase as compared to the symmetric counterpart, while the buckling loads and natural frequencies decrease. One of the possible solutions to the problem compensating for a reduced stiffness of FGM structures is based on the replacement of one-dimensional grading with a two-dimensional grading, including the regions with enhanced stiffness. The paper illustrates the formulation of the problem and peculiarities introduced in the solution by two-dimensional grading on the example of a large aspect ratio panel subject to thermomechanical loading. ©2008 American Institute of Physics