28

M2

Pure Bending of Plates

M1

M1

M2
y

The boundary conditions are

and

Mx = M1 ,

My = M2

Vx

Vy

= 0

= 0

In view of eq.(31 b,c)

2w
2w

M x D

2
y 2
x

M1

2w
2w

2
x 2
y

M2

My

(a )

(32)
( b)

(32 a) (32 b,c) leads to

M M2
2w
1
2
x
D 1 2

(a )

(33)

similarly
M M1
w
2
2
y
D 1 2
2

(b)

Integrating (33a) gives

M M2
w
1
x f ( y)
x
D 1 2
w

M1 M 2 x 2
D 1 2 2

f ( y) x g ( y)

(34)

29

Differentiating eq.(34) twice with respect to y and equating the result with
eq.(33 b) yields
2w
d 2 f ( y)
d 2 g ( y)

y2
d y2
d y2

M 2 M1
D 1 2

(35)

Since eq.(35) must be satisfied for all x and the right hand side is constant,
we must have

d 2 f ( y)
0
d y2

f ( y ) c1 y c 2

from which

d 2 g ( y)
d y2

(a )

M 2 M1
D 1 2

(36)

Integrating twice yields

g ( y)

M 2 M1 2
y c3 y c 4
2D 1 2

( b)

Finally, substituting (36 a,b) in (34) yields the solution to the problem
w

M1 M 2 2
M 2 M1 2
x

y c1 xy c 2 x c 3 y c 4
2D 1 2
2D 1 2
Rotation in x direction

(37)

Moving up and down

Rotation in y direction
Note that c2x , c3y and c4 represent rigid body displacement components and
produce no stresses.
If we locate the plate in such a way that
w ( 0, 0) 0

30
w

x 0
y0

and

x 0
y0

Then c2 = c3 = c4 = 0 i.e., the rigid body displacements vanish.

Observe that Vx = Vy = 0 are always satisfied by eq.(37).
To determine the remaining constant c1 we make use of the condition that
there is no corner force i.e.,
R

which leads to

2 M xy

2 D (1 )

2w
x y

R 2 D ( 1 ) c1

c1 0

or

R= 0 R= 0

R= 0 R= 0

Thus the solution takes the form

w

1
( M1 M 2 ) x 2 ( M 2 M1 ) y 2
2
2 D (1 )

(38)

Special cases of Equation (38)

Case 1 Homogeneous and Isotropic bending
M1

M2

Mo

In this case, eq.(38) becomes

w

Mo
( x 2 y2 )
2 D (1 )

By eq.(31 b,c,d)
2w
2w

2
y 2
x

Mo

2w
2w

M y D

2
x 2
y

Mo

Mx

M yx

D (1 )

2w
xy

(39)

31

By eq.(20 a,b,c,) , for any angle

M M Mo

isotropic

M 0

Note that eq.(39) defines a deflection surface which is a paraboloid of revolution.

Case 2 Cylindrical bending 2 w

y2

By eq.(31)

2w
2w

2
y 2
x

2w
2w

2
x 2
y

M x D

M y D

Case 3

M1

M2

2w
M1
x2
2w
M1 M 2
x2

M2 = - M

In this case, (38) becomes

w

M1 = M
x

M
( x 2 y2 )
2 D (1 )

(40)
y

The intersection of (40) and the vertical planes

y = x + b are

M
( x 2 x 2 2 b x b2 )
2 D (1 )

M
( 2b x b2 )
2 D (1 )

or

which are straight lines. Any lines on the plate running at /4 with respect to the
x or y axis remains straight after bending.
By (31) and (40)

32
Mx My M

M xy 0
Qx Qy 0

By (20), for = /4
w ( x , y) w p ( x , y) w c ( x , y)

M M M
Q Q 0

Simply Supported Rectangular Plate Under Sinusoidal Load

a
a/2
x

qo

b/2

q o sin

x
a

q ( x , y) q o sin

q o sin

x
y
sin
(41)
a
b

y
b

Why do we want to get the solution for this type of loading ? Explain the
reasons.
q

4
The solution must satisfy the plate equation w D and the boundary

conditions :
w 0

w 0

2w
0
x2

along x 0 , a

(42)

w
0
y2

along

y 0 , b

33

In view of eq.(41) and the plate equation, which involves only even
derivatives of w , a particular solution may be taken in the form
w p w 1 sin

x
y
sin
a
b

(43)

Substituting (43) and (41) into the plate equation leads to

4
qo
2 4
4
x
y
x
y
4 w w 1 4 2 2 4 sin
sin

sin
sin
a b
b
a
b
D
a
b
a

qo
x
y
sin
0
sin
D
a
b

1
1
w1 2 2
b
a

For this equation to hold true for all x and y in the region 0 x a and
0 y b ; the quantity in bracket must vanish. i.e.,
1
1
2
2
b
a

w1 4

qo
0
D

From which
qo

w1

(44)

1
1
2 2 D
b
a
4

Observe that wp in eq.(43) always satisfies the boundary conditions (42) ,

hence it is the complete solution.
Thus substituting (44) into (43) leads to the required solution
qo

1
1
2 D
2
b
a

sin

x
y
sin
a
b

(45)

34

Check summation of forces in vertical direction

The total downward force is
b

(41)

q ( x , y) d x d y

q o sin

x
y
sin
dxdy
a
b

4qo a b
2

(46)

In view of eq.(31 g,h) ; determine the reactions

Vx

(45)

Vy

2w
2w

(
2

)
x2
y 2

1
1
q o 2 ( 2 ) 2
b
a
2
1
1
a 2 2
b
a

2w
2w

(
2

)
y y 2
x 2

(45)

1
1
q o 2 ( 2 ) 2
a
b
2
1
1
b 2 2
b
a

cos

sin

x
y
sin
a
b

x
y
cos
a
b

(47 a)

(47 b)

The total edge reaction are

V 2

( Vx ) x a d y

4qo a b
( a 2 b2 )2
2

( Vy ) y b d x

2 ( 2 ) a 2 b 2 b 4

The difference between V and W is hold by corner forces

(48)

35
C

4R

4 ( 2 M xy ) x a
y b

(31 d)
( total corner forces )

8 D (1 )

2w
x y

x a
y b

(45)

4qo a b
( a 2 b2 )2
2

2 (1 ) a

b2

(49)

Note that the sum of (48) and (49) is equal to (46)

R

i.e., V C = W

q(x,y)

(Vx)x = a

(Vy)y = b

Relative Magnitude of Corner Force R

In a square plate where a = b equation (46) gives the total load, hence the
total reactions, which is equal to

4qo a 2
whereas the corner force is equal to
2

R 2 ( M xy )

x a
y b a

4qo a 2 1

2
8

Moment at Corner of the Plate

36
(x = a , y = b)
x

y
At corner moment is considered
since Mxy and Myx are non zero

In view of eq. (20 a,b,c)

M

1
1
(Mx My )
( M x M y ) cos 2 M xy sin 2
2
2

M xy sin 2

q o (1 ) a 2 b 2
sin 2
2 ( a 2 b 2 )

sin 2 is always positive since lies between 0 to /2

Therefore M is always negative
Similarly

M = Mxy sin 2 = M

which is positive at the corner x = a and y = b

x=a
x Load
Simply Supported Rectangular Plate Under General Sinusoidal
Load function

q ( x , y) q mn sin

y=b
y

mx
ny
sin
a
b

(50)

37

In a similar manner as for the case where m = 1 and n = 1 treated

previously, the solution in this case can be obtained in the form as followed :
w w mn sin

mx
ny
sin
a
b

(51)

Substituting (50) and (51) in the plate equation leads to

w mn

q mn
2

n2
m
2 2 D
b
a
2

for which (51) becomes

q mn
n
m
2 2
b
a
2

sin

mx
ny
sin
a
b

(52)

Observe that (52) satisfies the boundary conditions (42) , hence it is the
complete solution.
A
a
3

Problem 2

a
3

C a/3

y
a

38

Show that :
(a)

w ( x , y)

q
4 3
4
3
2
2
2
a x 2 y2 a 2
x a x 3x y a y
64 D a
27
9

is the solution for the simply supported and uniformly loaded equilateral
triangular plate.
(b) there are corner forces, how would you shoe them ? and then
(c) Plot the supplemented shear stress resultant along an edge using 10 divisions.
(d) Check the summation of forces normal to the plate.

Solution :
w ( x , y)

q
4 3
4
3
2
2
2
a x 2 y2 a 2
x a x 3x y a y
64 D a
27
9

(1)

39

has to satisfy the plate equation

4w

and the b.c.

q
D

(2)

(3)

2w
2w

x2
y2

w 0
2

along edges AB , BC , and CA

By successive differentiation
2w
x2

q
24 2
32 3

3
2
2
a x 4a y2
a
20 x 120 x 12 x y
64 D a
9
27

2w
y2

q
8 2
32 3

3
2
2
2
a
4 x 4 a x 36 x y a x 12 a y
64 D a
3
27

4w
x4

q
64 D a

120x

4w
y4

q
64 D a

72x

24 a

4w
x 2 y2

q
64 D a

24x

8a

24 a

In view of the above expression

4w

4w
4w
4w

x4
x 2 y2
y4

q
D

Thus the plate equation (2) is satisfied

2w

2w
2w

x2
y2

q
4 3

3
2
2
2
a
x a x 3x y a y
4Da
27

(4)

40

Edge AC
Substitute
w

in (1) and (4) respectively leads to

a
3

q
a3
a3
4 3 a2
4

a y2 a y2
a
y2 a 2

64 D a
27
9
27 27
9
q
a3
a3
4 3

a y2 a y2
a

4Da
27
9
27

2w

Edge BA
x

Substitute
w

2a

2a

3

q
64 D a

2a

3 y2

The first quantity in (

3y

in (1) and (4) respectively yields

3 y

2a

4 3

3 y a y2
a
27

3 y

2 a

3 y

y2

4 2
a
9

) = 0 hence,
w

Similarly since 2w contains the same quantity as the first one in (

) so it

can be concluded that

2w

3y

in (1) and (4) respectively gives as before

Edge BC
Substitute

2a

2w

41

Hence, the boundary conditions (3) are satisfied.

Therefore the given deflection function is the solution (a)
QED (a)
(b)

The corner force

R 2Mt

i.e., corner force at B

2
a
3
y 0

where Mt is the twisting moment along edge BC

M t M

1
( M x M y ) sin 2 M xy cos 2
2

2w
2w

2
y 2
x

M x D

M xy

and

2w
2w

M y D

2
x 2
y

D (1 )

2w
x y

In view of the known derivatives

Mt

At

1 q
16 2

3
2
a x 8 a x 2 8 a y 2 24 x 3 24 x y 2
24 x 24 x y
2 64 a
3

16

a 2 x 8 a x 2 8 a 2 y 2 sin 120
3

q
4
4
4
4

6 y x 2 2 y 2 a x a 2 6 y 2 x 2 2 y 2 a x a 2 cos120
64 D
3
9
3
9

2a
, y 0
3

R 2Mt

( Corner B )
1 1

2 2

24

q
64 a

8
16 2 3
4
24
a3
a 8 a 3
27
3
3
9

8
16
32

2
a3
a2
a
a 3
27
3
9
3

42

Hence there is no corner force at B

Similarly it can be shown that no corner force exists at A and C
QED (b)

(c)

The shear stress resultant along AC is

Qx

At

Q x

M yx

0.4
For = 0.3 0.3
0.2
0.1

a
3

q
( a 2 3 y2 )
4a

2w
D (1 )
y
xy

q (1 )
16 a
q
4a

q (1 )
4
4

6 2 x 2 2 y 2 a x a 2 24 y 2
64 a
3
9

q
( 3x 2 3 y2 2a x )
4a

Vx / (q/a)
Vx

M yx
y

D
2w
x

a
3
Qx

Hence

Vx

a 2 9 y2

a 2 3 y2

q (1 )
16 a

a 2 9 y2

0.279 0.294 0.279

0.233
y 2 0.233
Vx 0.294 q a 1.144 q
0.157
0.157
a
0.050

0.050

0.1 0.087

0.087

a
3

a
3

43

Supplemented Shear Stress Resultant along AC

(d)

Check summation of force normal to the plate

Vx

q
4a

a
3

a 2 3 y2

q (1 )
16 a

a 2 9 y2

along AC

Vx d y

6q
4a

6 q ( 1 )
16 a

( a 2 3 y2 ) d y

q a2
3

Total load on the plate = qA

where A is the total area of the plate
Hence
Q total

FV

1 2a

a
2
3

2a2
3
q a2

q a2
3

a
3

( a 2 9 y2 ) d y

44

QED (d)

Simply Supported Rectangular plate Under Arbitrary Load

a
x
q(x,y)
b

y
We can represent any given arbitrary load function

q(x,y)

by a double

trigonometric series in the form

q ( x , y)

In which

q mn

ab

m 1 n 1

q mn sin

q( x, y) sin

mx
ny
sin
a
b

mx
ny
sin
dxdy
a
b

As before, taking the particular solution in the form

(53)

(54)

45
w ( x , y)

m 1 n 1

mx
ny
sin
a
b

w mn sin

(55)

Substituting (55) and (53) in the plate equation (31a) leads to

w mn

q mn
2

m2 n 2
2 2 D
b
a
4

For which (55) becomes

w ( x , y)

q mn

m 1 n 1

2
n2
4 m
2 2 D
b
a

sin

mx
ny
sin
a
b

Observe that (56) satisfies the B.C. and is the total solution.

Simply supported Rectangular Plates Subjected to Uniform Load

Using Navier Solution
In this case : By eq.(54)
q mn

ab

Since

4qo
a b

q o sin

mx
ny
sin
dxdy
a
b

a
mx

cos

m
a

b
ny

cos
n
b

4qo
( cos m 1) ( cos n 1)
m n 2

cos m 1

= 0

for even

cos m 1

= 2

for odd

(56)

46

cos n 1

= 0

for even

cos n 1

= 2

for odd

Hence
q mn

16 q o
m n 2

for odd m and odd n

for which (56) takes the form

16 q
w ( x , y) 6 o
D

odd m odd n

n
m
2
2
b
a

mn

Observe that w(x,y) given by (57) is of the order

sin

mx
ny
sin
a
b

(57)

sin mx a
and sin n5 y b which
5
m
n

converges rapidly. The speed of convergence decreases with each differentiation

and the shear stress resultants which involves the third derivatives are of the
order cos m2 x a and
m

cos ny b
which still converge satisfactory.
n2

Simply Supported Rectangular Plate Under Concentrated Load P

(,)

/2
/2

(,)

/2 /2

q = P/
a
y
The load function for the concentrated load P may be thought of as the
limiting case

limit ( q ) = P

0
0
q

47

In this case, Eq.(54) takes the form

4
lim
a b 00

q mn

lim

Since

m
2a

sin
lim

Similarly

qmn

Therefore

P
mx
ny
sin
dxdy

sin

a
b

16 P
m
n
sin
sin
lim
2
0
mn
a
b
0

sin

m
m
cos
2a
2a
lim
0
1

n
2b

sin

m
n
sin
2a
2b

m
2a

n
2b

4P
m
n
sin
sin
ab
a
b

In view of (56)
So

w ( x , y)

4P
4
abD

m 1

n 1

sin

Observe that the series in (58) is

m
n
sin
a
b sin m x sin n y (58)
2
a
b
m2
n2

a 2 order
b 2 slower

one
in speed of convergence

in comparison with (57). In the present case, the shear stress resultants converge in
the order of

sin m x
m

which converge slowly.

48

Problem 3 Obtain the solution for a simply supported plate shown. The plate is

x
subjected to a couple Mo applied at ( , ) with an angle of inclination to the
Q
Mo
P
Mo
P
axis.b

Mosin Q
Mocos
(,)
(,)
r

a
y

lim
2 Pr
r 0

M o sin

lim
2 Q M o cos
0
Q

Solution :

Resolve Mo into two components ; One acting along the x axis

and the other along the y axis. Represent each couple by a set of concentrated
loads as shown.
In view of eq.(58) superposing the solution for each concentrated load of
P=1 to obtain the required total solution which leads to :

From eq.(58),

4
w
4a b D

m 1 n 1

(P=1),

Total

4
w 4
lim
abD r 0

n 1

m ( r )
n
m ( r )
n
sin
sin
sin
sin

M o sin
a
b
a
b

2
2
2
2r

m
n

2
na ( b)
n ( )
m

sin
sin
sin

m x
ny
b
a
b
2
sin a sin b
2
2
n
m

b
a

sin
M o cos
a

m 1

m
n
sin
a
b sin m x sin n y
2
a
b
m2 n2
a 2 b2

sin

49

Using trigonometry leads to

4
w 4
abD

m 1

n 1

m
m r

M sin sin n
sin
2 cos

b
a
a

lim

2
r0

2r
m2
n2

2
a2

m
n
n

sin
2 cos
a lim
b
b
2
0
2
2
2

n
m

2 2

b
a

M o cos sin

sin m x sin n y
a
b

Observing that
sin
lim
r 0

mr
a
r

sin

and

lim
0

n
b

m
mr
cos
a
a
lim
r 0
1

m
a

n
b

In view of these properties, the equation can be reduced to

4M
w 3 o
a b D m 1

n 1

m
m
n n
m
n

sin cos
sin
cos sin
cos
a
a
b
b
a
b

2
2
2
n
m

2 2

b
a

which is the required solution.

Levy Nadai Solution

sin

mx
ny
sin
a
b

50

b/2

q(x,y) = qo

Uniform Load

b/2
a
y

Consider a solution in the general form

w ( x , y)

w p ( x , y) w c ( x , y)

(59)

In which the particular integral takes the form

w p ( x , y)

qo
( x 4 2 a x 3 a 3 x)
24 D

(60)

Equation (60) represents a deflection function of a strip of unit width parallel to the
x axis subjected to uniform load qo . Note that this is analogous to a uniformly
loaded simply supported beam in which
w (x)

qo
( x 4 2 a x 3 a 3 x)
24 EI

a = span length

Equation (60) satisfies the plate equation (31 a) and the boundary conditions along
x = 0 and x = a i.e.,
w (0, y) 0

2w

2
x

0
x 0

(61)
w (a , y ) 0

2
x
2

0
x a

The complementary integral wc(x,y) must satisfies the homogenous equation

4w c

(62)

51

Take

w c ( x , y)

m 1, 3 , 5

Ym ( y) sin

mx
a

(63)

which satisfies the boundary condition (61) , substituting (63) in (62) leads to
4w c

m 1, 3, 5

m 22
mx
m 44

Y
(
y
)

2
Ym ( y) YmIV ( y) sin
0
m
2
a4
a
a

since this equation must be valid for all values of x between zero and a , the
expression in bracket must vanish i.e.,
YmIV 2 2m Ym 4m Ym

where
m

(64)

m
a

The characteristic equation is

4m 2 2m 2m 4m
2m

1
2

2
m

Ym ( y)

C1m e

Ym ( y)

C 2m m y e

4 4m 4 4m

m m , m

or

or

2m

( double roots )

C3m e

C4m m y e

A m cosh m y B m m y sinh m y
(65)
C m sinh m y D m m y cosh m y

52

Since Ym(y) is symmetrical with respect to the x axis , we keep in the

eq.(65) only even function of y ,
Hence

Cm = Dm = 0

Substituting (60) and (63) in (59) in view of (65) with C m = Dm = 0 yields the
total solution
w ( x , y)

qo
mx
( x 4 2 a x 3 a 3 x ) A m cosh m y B m m y sinh m y sin
24 D
a
m 1, 3 , 5

which must satisfy the boundary conditions as follow

b
w (x, )
2

2w
b
(x, )
2
y
2

(a)

in order to satisfy the boundary conditions (a) , wp(x) is expanded in a series of

the same type with wc(x,y) i.e.,
w p ( x , y)

qo
mx
( x 4 2 a x 3 a 3 x ) w m sin
24 D
a
m 1, 3 , 5

(67 a)

where
2

wm

2
a

w p ( x ) sin

mx
dx
a

qo
mx
( x 4 2 a x 3 a 3 x ) sin
dx
24 D
a

4qo a 4
5 D m 5

(67 b)

substituting (67 a) in view of the (67 b) in (66) leads to

w ( x , y)

qo a 4
D

m 1, 3 , 5

4
5 m 5

mx
A m cosh m y B m m y sinh m y sin
a

Substituting (68) in (a) yields

4
m5
5

A m cosh m m B m sinh m

(68)

53
(b)

(A m 2 B m ) cosh m m B m sinh m

in which

mb

mb
2a

solving these two simultaneous equations leads to

Am

2 ( m tanh m 2 )
5 m 5 cosh m

2
5 5
m cosh m

Bm

(c)

substituting (c) in (66) and (68) leads to the solution on two different forms
qo
( x 4 2a x 3 a 3x )
24 D

w ( x , y)

2qo a 4

5 D

m 1, 3, 5

1
m5

m tanh m 2
2m y
2m y
2m y
mx
(69)
cosh

sinh
sin

cosh m
b
b cosh m
b
a

or in the order form

4qo a 4
w ( x , y)
5 D

m 1, 3 , 5

1
m5

m tanh m 2
2my
2my
2my
mx
cosh

sinh
sin

cosh m
b
b cosh m
b
a

(70)
The maximum deflection occurs at ( a/2 , 0 ) for which
4

5qo a
4qo a
a
w ( ,0)

2
384 D
5 D

m 1, 3, 5

m 1
2

(1)
m5

m tanh m 2
2 cosh m

(d)

54
m 1

4qo a 4
a
w ( ,0)
2
5 D

m 1, 3 , 5

( 1) 2
m5

m tanh m 2

2 cosh m

Problem 4
Derive the deflection function for a rectangular plate uniformly loaded and
simply supported at x = 0 and x = a , fixed at y = 0 and free at y = b . Use
the Nadai Levy solution.

fixed

b
q(x,y) = qo

Uniformly loaded
Rectanglar Plate

free

Solution :

a
y
consider a solution in the form
w ( x , y)

w p ( x , y) w c ( x , y)

(1)

In which the particular integral wp(x,y) takes the form

w p ( x , y)

qo
( x 4 2 a x 3 a 3 x)
24 D

(2)

Eq.(2) represents a deflection function of a strip of a unit width parallel to

the x axis subjected to uniform load qo

55

4w

qo
D

(3)

Eq.(2) satisfies the plate equation

and the boundary along x = 0 and x = a i.e.,

2w

2
x

w (0, y) 0

0
x 0

2w

2
x

w (a , y ) 0

(4)
0
x a

Take the complementary solution wc(x,y) in the form

w c ( x , y)

m 1, 3 , 5

Ym sin

mx
a

(5)

which also satisfies the boundary condition (4) and 4wc = 0

4 w c

m 1, 3 , 5

m 22
mx
m 44

2
Ym YmIV sin
0
m
2
a4
a
a

for which
YmIV 2 2m Ym 4m Ym

where

(6)

m
a

The solution of (6) is

Ym (y)

A m cosh m y + B m m ysinh m y
+ Cm sinh m y + D m m ycosh m y

(7)

The total solution eq.(1) is

w(x,y) =

qo
( x 4 - 2a x 3 + a 3x ) + A m cosh m y + B m mysinh my
24D
m = 1,3,5,

+ Cm sinh m y + D m m ycosh m y sin

which must satisfy the b.c.
My

2w
2w

2
y
x2

y b

m x (8)
a

56
(9)

(10)

y b

(11)

(12)

(w ) y 0
w

3w
3w

(
2

)
y3
x 2 y

Vy

y 0

Expanding (2) in Fourier series yield

w p (x)

m 1, 3 , 5

4 q oa 4
mx
sin
5 m 5 D
a

(13)

For which (8) becomes

4 qoa 4
w ( x , y)
5 D

1
A m cosh m y B m m y sinh m y

m5
m 1, 3 , 5 ,

C m sinh m y

D m m y cosh m y sin

mx
a

(14)

Subst. (14) in (11) and (12) yields respectively

(w ) y 0

4 q oa 4

5 D

1
mx

A m sin
5

m 1, 3 , 5 ,
m
a

Am
w

y 0

4 q oa 4
5 D

m 1, 3 , 5 ,

1
m5

C m m D m sin

Cm

(15)
mx
a

(16)

Dm

Subst. (15) and (16) in (14) gives

4 q oa 4
w ( x , y)
5 D

1
1 cosh m y B m m y sinh m y

m5
m 1, 3 , 5 ,

D m m y cosh m y sinh m y

sin m x
a

(17)

57

For convenience write for m i.e., drop subscript m

w
y

4 qoa 4

5 D

m 1, 3 , 5 ,

m 5 sinh y B sinh y y cosh y

D y sinh y

2w
y2

4qoa 4

5 D

m 1, 3 , 5 ,

sin m x
a

2
2
m 5 cosh y B 2 cosh y y sinh y

D sinh y 2 y cosh y

3w
y3

4 qoa 4
5 D

m 1, 3 , 5 ,

sin m x
a

sinh y B 32 sinh y 3 y cosh y

5

D 2 cosh y 3 y sinh y

sin m x
a

Subst. (17) in (9) in view of the above expression yields

2
cosh B 2 cosh sinh D sinh cosh
m5
m 22 1

(1 cosh ) B sinh D cosh sinh

2
5
a
m

where

= mb = mb/a = m ( for convenience neglecting subscript m )

Simplifying yields

2 cosh

(1 ) sinh B (1 ) sinh (1 ) cosh D

1
(1 ) sinh
m5

(18)

Subst. (17) in (10) leads to

3
sinh B 32 sinh 2 cosh D 2 cosh 2 cosh
5
m
m 22

(2 )
5 sinh B (sinh cosh ) D sinh
2
a
m

58

i.e.,

(1 ) sinh

(1 ) cosh B

2 cosh (1 ) sinh D

1
(1 ) sinh
m5

(19)

Solving (18) and (19) yields as follow

K

2 cosh

(1 ) sinh

(1 ) sinh

2 cosh

(1 ) sinh

(1 ) cosh (1 ) sinh (1 ) cosh

4 cosh 2 (1 ) 2 2 sinh 2 (1 ) 2 sinh 2 (1 ) 2 2 cosh 2

cosh2 sinh2 = 1 , thus

Observing that
K

(3 )(1 ) cosh 2 (1 ) 2 2 (1 ) 2

KB

1
(1 ) cosh 2 cosh (1 ) sinh
m5

KD

1
( 3 )(1 ) cosh 2 2 cosh (1 ) sinh (1 2 )
m5

2 cosh

1
(1 ) sinh (1 ) sinh (1 ) cosh
m5

(1 ) sinh 5 (1 ) sinh
m

1
(1 ) cosh (1 ) sinh (1 ) cosh
m5

1
( 3 )(1 ) sinh cosh (1 ) sinh (1 ) cosh (1 2 )
5
m

Note : For solving simultaneous equations

ax by

ex f y

59
x

cf g b
a f be

and

a g ce
a f be

Finally,
B

KB
K

KD
K

Subst. B and D in (17) yields

w ( x , y)

4q o a 4
5 D

m 1, 3 , 5 ,

1
1 cosh m y
m5

(3 ) (1 ) cosh 2 m 2 cosh m (1 ) m sinh m (1 2 )

( m y sinh m y)
(3 ) (1 ) cosh 2 m (1 2 ) 2m (1 ) 2

(3 ) (1 ) sinh m cosh m (1 ) sinh m (1 ) m cosh m (1 2 ) m

(3 ) (1 ) cosh 2 m (1 2 ) 2m (1 ) 2
sinh m y m y cosh m y sin

mx
a

Ans.

Simply Supported Rectangular Plate Under Edge Moments

M2(x)

b/2

x
b/2

M1(x)
a

60

In this case,

q(x,y) = 0 and the governing equation is

4w

(71)

Taking the solution in the form

w ( x , y)

m 1

Ym ( y) sin

mx
a

(72)

which satisfies the boundary conditions along x = 0 and x = a i.e.,

w (0, y)
2w

2
x

w (a , y )
2w

2
x

x 0

0
0

x a

the problem reduces to the treatment of the boundary conditions along y = b/2
i.e.,
b

w x,
2

2
y

(73)

since

w x,
2

2w

2
y

b
2

M1 ( x )
D

(74)

M 2 (x)
D

b
2

b
2

2w
2w

2
x 2
y
2w
2w

2
x 2
y

b
2

M1 ( x )

M 2 (x)

61

As previously discussed , the Levy Nadai type solution (72) satisfies (71) if
Ym ( y) A m sinh m y B m cosh m y C m m y sinh m y D m m y cosh m y

(75)

To anticipate the requirement of the boundary conditions (73 b) and (74 b). M 1(x)
and M2(x) will first be represented by half sine series of the same form as (72)
i.e.,
M1 ( x )

M 2 (x)

E 1m

m 1

m 1

E1m sin
E 2 m sin

mx
a

(76)

mx
a

in which

E 2m

2
a
2
a

M1 ( x ) sin

M 2 ( x ) sin

mx
dx
a

(77)

mx
dx
a

Thus the four constants of integration in (75) can be determined by

substituting (72) in (73) and (74) in view of the (75) , (76) and (77) . However, this
leads to 4 simultaneous equations which may become unmanageable.
It is more convenient to resolve the edge moments M 1(x) and M2(x) into
symmetrical and antisymmetrical componenents which then reduces the problem
into two sets of 2 simultaneous equations.

62
a

b/2

m1(x)

M2(x)

m2(x)

x =

x +

b/2
m1(x)

M1(x)

m2(x)
y

m1 ( x )

1
M1 (x ) M 2 ( x )
2

m 2 (x)

1
M1 ( x ) M 2 ( x )
2

w (x,y)
Symmetrical case
ws (x,y)
Case (a) Symmetrical case

Antisymmetrical case
wa (x,y)

In this case, we retain only the even functions in (75) i.e.,

Am = Dm = 0
Expanding m1(x) in the form
m1 ( x )

e1m

m 1

2
a

e1m sin

mx
a

m1 ( x ) sin

mx
dx
a

(78 a)
(78 b)

and substituting (78 a) and (72) with Am = Dm = 0 in (73 a) leads to

B m cosh m C m m sinh m

B m C m m tanh m

or

(79)

substituting (79) in (72) and the latter in (73 b) leads to

e
mx
2 2
C m m 2 cosh m 1m sin
0

a
D
a
m 1

For this to be true for all x , the quantity in the bracket must vanish i.e.,
Cm

c
a2
2 1m
2
2 D m cosh m

(80)

63

Finally, substituting (79) and (80) in (72) with Am = Dm = 0 yields

ws ( x, y )

a2
2 2 D

m 1

e1m
m y m y
m y
m x

m tanh m cosh

sinh
sin

a
a
a
a
m sinh m

(81)

Case (b) Antisymmetrical case

In this case, we retain only the odd functions in (75) i.e.,
Bm = Cm = 0
For which the boundary conditions w(x,b/2) = 0 gives D m in term of Am and
(75) becomes
w ( x , y)

my
1
my
my
mx
sin
A m sinh

tanh m
cosh
a
m
a
a
a
m 1

(82)

As before, expanding m2(x) in the form

m 2 (x)

m 1

e 2 m sin

mx
a

(83)

where

e 2m

2
a

m 2 ( x ) sin

mx
dx
a

and substituting (82) and (83) in the second boundary condition

2w

y2

b
2

m 2 (x)
D

yields Am in terms of e2m and (82) become finally

wa ( x, y )

a2
2 2 D

m 1

m
e2 m
my my
my
mx

sin
sinh

cosh
m sinh m coth m
a
a
a
a
2

(84)

64

w x, y w s x, y w a x, y

Rectangular Plate Simply Supported on Three Sides and Clamped on One

Side Subjected to Uniformly Distributed Load qo
a
b/2
q(x,y) = qo

b/2

x=

x+

q(x,y) = qo

M1(x)
fixed

w(x,y)

w1(x,y)

w2(x,y)

Boundary conditions
b

w x,
2

w1 x ,
2

w1

b
2

w2 x,
2

w2

b
2

b
2

To obtain the solution by superposition technique, the only unknown is E 1m and

will be determined by the condition
w1

b
2

w2

b
2

65

Rectangular Plate Simply Supported on Two Opposite Sides and Clamped on

Two Other Sides Subjected to Arbitrary Load
a
M2(x)

b/2
b/2

q(x,y)

x=

q(x,y)

w1(x,y)

x+

M1(x)

m2(x)

m1(x)

x+
m1(x)
y

m2(x)

ws(x,y)

By expanding m1(x) and m2(x) in the form

m1 ( x )

m 2 (x)

m 1

m 1

e1m sin

mx
a

e 2 m sin

mx
a

wa(x,y)

66

e1m and e2m are calculated from the boundary conditions

w1

y
w1

b
2

b
y
2

ws

y
ws

b
2

b
y
2

In case of symmetrical load, set

wa

y
wa

(a)

b
2

(b)

b
y
2

m 2(x) = 0

and e1m is determined from

condition (a) with wa(x,y) = 0

Strain Energy in Plate Bending
In a beam, the strain energy in an element dx due to bending moment M(x)
is

dV

1
M d
2

dw
1

M d
2
dx

1
d2w
M
dx
2
d x2

In a plate, in an element dxdy

dV

2w

M
d x d y

x
2
x

2w

My
d y d x
2
y

2w

M xy
d x d y
x y
2

Mxy

2w

M yx
d y d x
xy
2

Mxy

Myx
Myx

2w
x y

2w
xy

67

Since Mxy = Myx , dV can be written as

dV

1
2

2w
2w

M
y
x2
y 2

M x

M xy

2w
dxdy
x y

The total strain energy in a plate of domain A

V

dV

1

2

2w
2w
M x

My
x2
y 2

2w
M xy
dxdy
x y

(85)

Subst. Mx , My , Mxy in terms of curvatures eq.(31) , we obtain

1
D
2

2w
2w
2w 2w
2w 2w

2
2
y 2 x 2
x 2 y 2
x
y

D (1 )

2w
2w
x y x y

dxdy

Rearranging terms lead to

V

D
2

2w
2w

2
y 2
x

2w 2w
2w

2 (1 )

x 2 y2
x y

dxdy

(86)

It should be noted that the strain energy in beam is independent of the

coordinate axis i.e., It is invariant with respect to the orientation.
2w
2w 2w
2w
2w

Since
is an invariant. So we can conclude that
x 2 y2

y
x2
y2

68

is also an invariant.

Potential Energy of the Loads

In a plate, the potential energy of the load q(x,y) is
W

q ( x , y) w ( x , y) d x d y

(87)

where

is the potential energy of q(x,y) when w(x,y) = 0

Theorem of Minimum Total Potential Energy

If the total potential energy of a system is
U

(88)

where V and W are defined in (86) and (87)

The equilibrium configuration is defined by
U

(89)

and the equilibrium position is stable if the second variation is > 0 , neutral if
and variation 2U = 0 and unstable if 2U < 0
i.e.,

69

(90)
stable

2U > 0

neutral

2U = 0

unstable

2U < 0

Simply Supported Rectangular Plates Under a Concentrated Load P

a

Consider

w ( x , y)

m 1 n 1

w mn sin

mx
ny
sin
a
b

(91)

70

w (0, y)

2w

2
x

x 0

2w

2
x

x a

which satisfies the boundary conditions

w (a , y )

w ( x ,0)

w ( x , b)

D
2

D
2

b a

0 0

4a b
4

2w

2
y

y 0

2w

2
y

yb

2w 2w
2w

2 (1 )

x 2 y2
x y

m 1 n 1

dxdy

w 2mn

(92)

Eq.(87) gives

m 1 n 1

w mn sin

m
n
sin
a
b

(93)

Eq.(88) gives
4a b D
U

8
m 1

n 1

w 2mn W P

m 1 n 1

mn

sin

m
n
sin
a
b

And the equilibrium configuration is defined by (89) in the form

U

U
w mn

4a b D m

8
a

w mn

2
n

b

2w mn W P sin

m
n
sin
sin
4P
a
b
2
4a b D m 2 n 2


b
a

m
n
sin
a
b

71

for which (91) becomes

w ( x , y)

4P
a bD
4

m 1 n 1

m
n
sin
a
b sin mx sin ny
2
2 2
a
b
m
n

a
b

sin

observe that the second variation of U i.e.,

2U
w 2mn

4a b D m

8 a

(94)

2U
w 2mn equals

2
n

b

which implies that the plate is stable

2U
w 2mn

2U
w 2mn

In some case

Always +
stable

Limit of
stability

stable
wmn

wmn
unstable

Problem 5
a) Obtain the solution for a simply supported rectangular plate subjected to
hydrostatic load by Navier solution and Energy method.

72

= qresult
x/a of part a) and
b) Calculate the central deflection of the square plateq(x,y)
by the
o
x

compare with that obtained in the text book.

b

Hydrostatic load
a

Solution : Take the solution in the form

w ( x , y)

m 1 n 1

w mn sin

mx
ny
sin
a
b

(1)

which automatically satisfies the boundary conditions

w

2w
x2

along x 0 , a

2w
y2

along y 0 , b

represent q(x,y) = qox/a in the form

q ( x , y)

m 1 n 1

q mn sin

mx
ny
sin
a
b

(2)

in which
q mn

4
ab

qox
mx
ny
sin
sin
dxdy
a
a
b

4qo
( cos m ) (1 cos n )
m n 2

(3)

73

subst. (1) and (2) in the plate equation, in view of (3) , the coefficient
wmn is obtained
Finally,

4q o
mx
ny
sin
2 (-cos m)(1-cos n)sin
a
b
m n

w(x,y) =

8q o
6D

m
n
D
2 +
b 2
a

m =1 n =1

(-1) m +1

m = 1 n = 1,3,5,

Energy Method

m
n
a 2 + b 2 m n

sin

mx
ny
sin
a
b

(4)

(5)

The total strain energy is

V

D
2

2w
2w

2
y 2
x

2w 2w
2w

2 (1 )

2
2
x y
x y

dxdy

(6)

Take the solution as eq.(1)

Subst. (1) in (6) leads to
V =

D a b4
2 4

2
2 n

m
a + b

m =1 n =1

2
mn

(7)

The potential energy of the load is

W

x
q o a

w mn sin

m 1 n 1

qo

m 1 n 1

ab

m n 2

mx
ny
sin
dxdy
a
b

( cos m) (1 cos n) w mn

(8)

The total potential energy is

U

V W

(9)

74

and the equilibrium configuration is defined by

U

V W

subst. (7) and (8) in (9) leads to

U
w mn

D 4a b
2 4

w mn

2 qoa b
(1) m 1
m n 2

2 w mn

8qo
(1) m 1
6 m n D m 2 n 2

m 1, 2 , 3, ...

n 1, 3 , 5, ...

Finally,
w ( x , y)

8qo
6 D

(1) m 1

m 1 n 1, 3 , 5 ,

n

b

sin

mn

mx
ny
sin
a
b

which is identical to (5)

At centre of the plate ( square plate of side a x a )
(w )

( w ) C.L.

8qoa 4

6 D

a
x
2
b a
y
2 2

m 1

8qo
6 D

(1) m 1 sin

m 1 n 1, 3 , 5 ,

a 4 (1) m 1

2 2

mn

sin

m
n
sin
2
2

m
1
1
1

...
2
2
2
2
2
2
2 m(m 1)
3m(m 9) 5m(m 25)

Observing that the series converge very fast, hence the first few terms give
satisfactory result
( w ) C. L .

8q oa 4 1
1
1
1

...

...

6
D 4 300 3380

300 2916

8qoa 4
q oa 4

(0.2437) 0.00202

6 D
D

75

Check with the book OK.

Ans.