CE656 THEORY OF

PLATES
• Flat plates are extensively used in many
engineering applications like roof and floor of
buildings, deck slab of bridges, foundation
footings, water tanks, bulk heads, turbine disks
etc….
• Plates are normally subjected to lateral loads
causing bending of the plate.
• The geometry of the plate is normally defined
by the middle plane which is a plane equidistant
from top and bottom faces of the plate.
• The thickness of the plate (h) is measured in
direction normal to the middle plane of the
plate.
• The flexural properties of plate depends on the
thickness.
• In general, plate problems can be classified in
to three major categories.
• i) Thin plate ii) Moderately thick plate and
• Iii) Thick plate depending upon the thickness of
the plate.
• If the thickness of the plate is very small when
compared to other dimensions, such a plate is called
thin plate. As a thumb rule,
• a/h > 20 ------- Thin plate
• 5<a/h< 20 ------ Moderately thick plate
• a/h <5 ------ Thick plate
• Where a is the least lateral dimension of the
plate.
• The theories associated with thin plate and
moderately thick plates are two dimensional
theories.
• Very thick plates have to be analysed using 3D
theories.
• Analysis of a plate by 3D theory is the most
accurate.
• Reduction of the above theory to 2D theory is
based on certain assumptions.
• 2D theories are classified as follows.
• i) Classical thin plate theory (CTPT)
• Ii) First order shear deformation theory (FSDT)
• Iii) Higher order shear deformation theory
(HSDT)
• Classical theory is used for thin plates.
• This is based on Love-Kirchhoff hypothesis
which is similar to Bernoulli’s assumptions for
thin beams.
• This is basically plane cross sections remain
plane after bending.
• (i.e.) Effect of transverse shear stresses are
neglected.
• Though for a majority of practical applications,
the CTPT yields sufficiently accurate results,
the accuracy decreases with increasing plate
thickness , with rapidly increasing loads and
also in problems of stress concentration in
plates.
• The shortcomings of thin plate theory can be
partly overcome by refined theories like shear
deformation theories.
• Basically these theories are based on
assumed displacement fields.
• The accuracy of results depend up on the
consistency of the assumed displacement field.
• It has been found that shear deformation
theories predict the accurate results only for
moderately thick plates.
• In the case of very thick plates, only three
dimensional analysis based on theory of
elasticity gives accurate results.
• For many practical problems, solutions based
on three dimensional theory of elasticity would
be very difficult to obtain.
• Only simple problems have been solved using
this theory.
• 3D solutions are used to assess the accuracy of
CTPT and shear deformation thoeries.
• Hence accurate results can be obtained using
CTPT for thin plates.
• In the case of moderately thick plates, effect of
shear deformation has to be considered.
• That is why we use FSDT and HSDT for
moderately thick plates.
• FSDT is also called Mindlin’s theory
• The presence of shear deformation is to
increase the deflection, making the plate more
flexible.
• Very thick plates have to be analysed using 3D
theory.
• Other aspects may also come in to picture
when we discuss plates.
• One aspect is the material of the plate.
• We may have isotropic plates, orthotropic
plates or anisotropic plates.
• Second aspect is the type of analysis we do.
• We may do linear analysis or nonlinear
analysis.
• Also another type of analysis is the inelastic
analysis or plastic analysis.
• Still other types analyses include dynamic analysis,
buckling analysis and post buckling analysis.
• Hence there are different types of plate analysis.
• The following schematic diagram can be used
to illustrate the different types of plate analysis.
•
Analysis of Plates

Moderately thick Thick Plate(3D

Thin Plate Elasticity
plate(Shear
Analysis(CTPT) Theory)
Deformation Theory)

Isotropic Anisotropic
First Higher
Order Order
1
1 1
11

1 1
• Here 1 means the following part of flow chart
•

Isotropic(Small Anisotropic(Small
Anisotropic(Small
or Large or Large
or Large Deflection
Deflection) Deflection)
• In the present subject, we will linear elastic
analysis.
• Also the type of materials will be isotropic as
well as orthotropic.
• Theories adopted will be mostly Classical thin
plate theory (CTPT). Later First Order Shear
Deformation Theory will be introduced.
 Basic Equations of Thin Plate
Theory
• The following fundamental assumptions are
made in the small deflection theory of
homogeneous thin plates.
• Assumptions
• i) The deflection of the plate is small compared
to thickness.
• Ii) The middle plane of the plate remains
unstrained after bending and hence will be a
neutral plane
• Iii) Plane sections initially normal to middle
plane remain plane and normal after bending.
• Iv) Transverse normal stress and strain
(through the thickness of the plate) is neglected
• The material of the plate is assumed elastic and
isotropic in the beginning(Later orthotropic and
anisotropic plates may be discussed.)
• Deflection small means around 1/10 of
thickness of the plate.
• If it is 1/5,1/2 then we have to use nonlinear
theory.(Geometric nonlinearity.)
• In this case middle plane does not remain
neutral. Stretching of midplane occurs.
 Slope and Curvatures of a Bent
Plate.
• Consider a rectangular plate with x and y axes
lying in the middle plane and z axis
perpendicular downward.
• u, v and w are the displacements of a typical
point in the plate after bending.
• w is called lateral deflection and is deflection of
the middle plane(neutral plane) u=v=0 for this
plane.
• Now the plate deflection is w. This is a function
of x and y.
 𝜕𝑤
• Now represents the slope of the plate in x
𝜕𝑥
direction (Gradient in x direction)
𝜕𝑤
• represents the slope of the plate in y
𝜕𝑦
direction (Gradient in y direction).
• If we consider two very near points a and b on the
plate in any direction, then we have change in
deflection between these points given by
𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
• 𝑑𝑤 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑y.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
• If the corresponding direction is n, then the slope in
that direction is given by
𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝑑𝑥 𝜕𝑤 𝑑𝑦
• 𝜕𝑛
=
𝜕𝑥 𝑑𝑛
+ 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑛
 x
dx
𝜕𝑤
w w+ 𝜕𝑥 . 𝑑𝑥 dx
a
α
dy
dn b
n
z

• From the figure, we get

𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
• = 𝑐𝑜𝑠α + 𝑠𝑖𝑛α.
𝜕𝑛 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
• To find the direction of maximum slope, we
differentiate the above expression w.r.t. α and
put that =0.
• This can be obtained as
𝜕𝑤/𝜕𝑦
• tan α = ( )
𝜕𝑤/𝜕𝑥
• There will be two values of α satisfying this
equation.(α2 ~α1 = 900 )
• The maximum slope would be given by
𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 2 𝜕𝑤 2
• = ( ) +( )
𝜕𝑛 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

• The minimum slope direction is in perpendicular

direction to this)
• Now we get the expressions for curvature.
 Expressions for Curvature and
Twist
• The curvature of the surface in x direction is
given by
1 𝜕 𝜕𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• = − = − 2
𝑟𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
• Similarly curvature in y direction is given by
1 𝜕 𝜕𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• = − = − 2
𝑟𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦

• Twist of the surface is given by

1 𝜕 𝜕𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• = =
𝑟𝑥𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
• Now curvature in any direction n is given by
1 𝜕 𝜕𝑤
• = −
𝑟𝑛 𝜕𝑛 𝜕𝑛
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
• But we know that 𝜕𝑛
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠α
𝜕𝑥
+ 𝜕𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛α
• Hence
1 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
• =− 𝑐𝑜𝑠α + 𝑠𝑖𝑛α 𝑐𝑜𝑠α + 𝑠𝑖𝑛α
𝑟𝑛 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
1 1 1
• = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 α − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2α + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 α
𝑟𝑥 𝑟𝑥𝑦 𝑟𝑦

• Curvature in a perpendicular direction t is

given(change α to α+90) to get
1 1 2 1 1
• = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 α + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2α − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 α
𝑟𝑡 𝑟𝑥 𝑟𝑥𝑦 𝑟𝑦
• We can see that
1 1 1 1
• + = +
𝑟𝑛 𝑟𝑡 𝑟𝑥 𝑟𝑦

• (Sum of the curvatures in any two perpendicular

directions will be constant for any surface. This
an invariance property similar to stresses)
• The twist of the surface is given by
1 𝜕 𝜕𝑤
• =
𝑟𝑛𝑡 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑛
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
• Now = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛α + 𝑐𝑜𝑠α (By changing α to
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕
α+90 in the expression for )
𝜕𝑛
• Hence we get the following expression
 1 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
• = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛α + 𝑐𝑜𝑠α 𝑐𝑜𝑠α + 𝑠𝑖𝑛α
𝑟𝑛𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
1 1 1 1
• = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2α − + cos 2α( )
2 𝑟𝑥 𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑥𝑦
1
• To get the directions for max./min. curvature ,
𝑟𝑛
• We differentiate and put equal to 0 to get
1 1 2
• 𝑠𝑖𝑛2α − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2α + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2α =0
𝑟𝑥 𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑥𝑦
2/𝑟𝑥𝑦
• We get tan 2α = −( 1 1 ).
−
𝑟𝑥 𝑟𝑦

• Here we will get two values of α satisfying this.

• One will correspond to max and the other will
• Correspond to minimum.
• These directions are known as principal
directions and the corresponding curvatures are
known as principal curvatures).
• It can also be seen that the twist corresponding
to these directions =0.
 Strain Curvature Relations
• Now we will establish the strain curvature
relations for a thin plate.
• The third assumption tells that plane cross
sections remain plane after bending(Euler-
Krichhoff assumption)
• Now this means that transverse shear strains
are negligible for thin plates.
• Thus γ𝑥𝑧 = 0 and γ𝑦𝑧 = 0.
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑤
• We know that γ𝑥𝑧 = + and γ𝑦𝑧 = +
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦
 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑤
• Hence + = 0 and + =0
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑤
• Hence = − and = −
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑤
• Integrating, we get 𝑢 = −𝑧 + 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑤
• and v = −𝑧 + 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦).
𝜕𝑦
• From assumption ii) middle surface is neutral
surface. Hence u=v=0 at z=0.
• Hence f(x, y) =g(x, y) =0.
𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
• Hence 𝑢 = −𝑧 and v = −𝑧 .
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
• Now non-zero strains have to be found.
 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣
• We know that ε𝑥𝑥 = , ε𝑦𝑦 =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣
• and γ𝑥𝑦 = + .
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
• Hence substituting the expressions for
displacements u and v in the above equations,
we get the following relations.
𝜕𝑢 𝜕2 𝑤 𝑧
• ε𝑥𝑥 = = −𝑧 2 =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝑟𝑥
𝜕𝑣 𝜕2 𝑤 𝑧
• ε𝑦𝑦 = = −𝑧 2 =
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝑟𝑦
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣 𝜕2 𝑤 2𝑧
• And γ𝑥𝑦 = + = −2z = −
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝑟𝑥𝑦

• These are known as strain curvature relations.

• Hence all the strains are functions of an
important quantity namely w for a thin plate.
• Once we know deflection w, we can find the
strains at any point (x, y, z) for a thin plate.
• It is to be noted that w is a function of x and y
only.
• It is the middle plane deflection.
• Middle plane is the representative plane for the
thin plate.
• Now we will see moment curvature relations for
thin plate.
 Moment Curvature Relations
• When a plate is subjected to lateral loads, moments
and shear will be developed in the plate (Similar to
beams)
• For a plate we define all quantities per unit
length. dx 𝑀𝑦𝑦
𝑀𝑥𝑥 x
dy 𝑀𝑥𝑥

𝑀𝑦𝑦 Differential Plate Element

z
y
• The above diagram shows the bending moments.
• Just as in the case of beams, all bending
moments cause bending normal stresses and
vice versa for plates.
• Now for the above quantities, we have
ℎ/2
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = ‫׬‬−ℎ/2 σ𝑥𝑥 𝑧𝑑𝑧. (Moment/unit length)
ℎ/2
• And 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = ‫׬‬−ℎ/2 σ𝑧𝑧 𝑧𝑑𝑧.
• These can be verified from the figure below.
• (For 𝑀𝑥𝑥 )
Neutral axis h/2 z
σ𝑥𝑥
h/2

z
• Now to get expressions for moments, we
should first obtain expressions for stresses from
strains.
• This is from stress- strain law for plane stress
case(Assumption iv)
𝐸
• We know that σ𝑥𝑥 = (ε𝑥𝑥 + υε𝑦𝑦 )
1−υ2
𝐸
• and σ𝑦𝑦 = (ε𝑦𝑦 + υε𝑥𝑥 )
1−υ2
• We assume that we have isotropic material.
• Substituting the expressions for strains, we
have
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• σ𝑥𝑥 =
𝐸
1−υ2
𝑧
𝑟𝑥
+ υ
𝑧
𝑟𝑦
=
−𝐸𝑧
1−υ2 𝜕𝑥 2
+ υ 2
𝜕𝑦
• Similarly, we have
𝐸 𝑧 𝑧 −𝐸𝑧 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• σ𝑦𝑦 = + υ = + υ 2
1−υ2 𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑥 1−υ2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥

• Substituting in the expressions for moments,

we get
ℎ/2
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = ‫׬‬−ℎ/2 σ𝑥𝑥 𝑧𝑑𝑧
ℎ/2 −𝐸𝑧 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• = ‫׬‬−ℎ/2 1−υ2 + υ 2 𝑧𝑑𝑧.
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• = −𝐷 + υ 2
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦
𝐸ℎ3
• Where 𝐷 = is called flexural rigidity.
12(1−υ2 )
• Similarly, we get
ℎ/2
• 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = ‫׬‬−ℎ/2 σ𝑦𝑦 𝑧𝑑𝑧
ℎ/2 −𝐸𝑧 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• = ‫׬‬−ℎ/2 1−υ2 +υ 2 𝑧𝑑𝑧.
𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• = −𝐷 + υ 2
𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥
• The above are expressions for moments
causing bending in xz and yz planes.
• Similarly twisting moment is caused by shear
stresses τ𝑥𝑦 which in turn is caused by shear
strains γ𝑥𝑦 .
• These expressions are given below.
 ℎ/2
• 𝑀𝑥𝑦 = ‫׬‬−ℎ/2 τ𝑥𝑦 𝑧𝑑𝑧
ℎ/2
• = ‫׬‬−ℎ/2 𝐺γ𝑥𝑦 𝑧𝑑𝑧
ℎ/2 𝜕2 𝑤
• = − ‫׬‬−ℎ/2 2𝐺𝑧 𝑧𝑑𝑧.
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
𝐺ℎ3 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• = − = −D(1 − υ) .
6 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
• The above results are known as moment
curvature relations for a thin plate.
• Next we will discuss the equilibrium equations
for a plate subjected to lateral loads.
 Equilibrium Equations of a Thin
Plate
• When a plate is subjected to lateral loads, in
addition to bending moments and twisting
moment, there will be transverse shear also.
• Hence a general plate element is the sum of the
following.
𝑀𝑦𝑥 𝑄𝑦
𝑀𝑦𝑦 𝑄𝑥
𝑀𝑥𝑥 𝑀𝑥𝑦
q
x

• Bending moments +Twisting Moment +Shear

• The equilibrium condition we are going to write
is for a differential element dx x dy.
• Hence we get differential equations of
equilibrium.
• We can assume udl q(x,y) acting on the
element.
• Since we have a set of parallel forces,
• the three equations of equilibrium are
• σ 𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 0
• σ 𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 0
• And σ 𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 = 0
• σ 𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 0 gives
𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑥
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 . 𝑑𝑦 − 𝑀𝑥𝑥 + . 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑀𝑦𝑥 𝑑𝑥 −
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑀𝑦𝑥
• 𝑀𝑦𝑥 + . 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑄𝑥 𝑑𝑦. 𝑑𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝑦
• Simplifying, we get the following equation
𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑥 𝜕𝑀𝑦𝑥
• + = 𝑄𝑥 ------(1)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
• Similarly σ 𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 0 gives
𝜕𝑀𝑦𝑦
• 𝑀𝑦𝑦 . 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑀𝑦𝑦 + . 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑀𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑦 −
𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑦
• 𝑀𝑥𝑦 + . 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑄𝑦 𝑑𝑥. 𝑑𝑦 = 0
𝜕𝑥
• Simplifying, we get the following equation
𝜕𝑀𝑦𝑦 𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑦
• + = 𝑄𝑦 ------(2)
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
• σ 𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 = 0 gives
𝜕𝑄𝑥
• 𝑄𝑥 𝑑𝑦 − 𝑄𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑄𝑦
• +𝑄𝑦 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑄𝑦 + 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑞. 𝑑𝑥. 𝑑𝑦 = 0
𝜕𝑦
• Simplifying, we get
𝜕𝑄𝑥 𝜕𝑄𝑦
• + = −𝑞 -------(3)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
• Substituting equations (1) and (2) in equation
(3), we get the following equation.
 𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑥 𝜕𝑀𝑦𝑥 𝜕𝑀𝑦𝑦 𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑦
𝜕( + ) 𝜕( + )
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
• + = −𝑞
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
• (Or)
𝜕2 𝑀𝑥𝑥 𝜕2 𝑀𝑥𝑦 𝜕2 𝑀𝑦𝑦
• +2 + = −𝑞 ---(4)
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 2
• Here we used 𝑀𝑥𝑦 = 𝑀𝑦𝑥 .
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• Now we have 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = −𝐷 +υ 2
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = −𝐷 +υ 2
𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥
𝜕2 𝑤
• And 𝑀𝑥𝑦 = −D(1 − υ)
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
• Substituting the expressions for moments in the
above equation (4) and simplifying, we get
• (For a plate of constant thickness)
𝜕4 𝑤 𝜕4 𝑤 𝜕4 𝑤
•𝐷 +2 2 2 + 4 = 𝑞 ---(5)
𝜕𝑥 4 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
• This is the equation of equilibrium for an
isotropic thin plate with constant thickness.
• The load q can be a function of x and.
• This equation is a bi-harmonic equation.
• We can write this as
• D 𝜵𝟒 𝒘 = 𝒒 -------(A)
• This equation must have boundary conditions.
 Expressions for Shear Forces
• Now we will get the expression for shear forces.
• From equation (1), we have
𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑥 𝜕𝑀𝑦𝑥
• 𝑄𝑥 = +
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
𝜕(−𝐷 +υ 2 ) 𝜕(−D(1−υ) )
𝜕𝑥2 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
• = +
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕
• = −𝐷 + = −𝐷 (𝛻 2 𝑤)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥
• Similarly , from equation(2)
 𝜕𝑀𝑦𝑦 𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑦
• 𝑄𝑦 = +
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
𝜕(−𝐷 +υ 2 ) 𝜕(−D(1−υ) )
𝜕𝑦2 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
• = +
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕
• = −𝐷 + = −𝐷 𝛻2𝑤
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦
• Hence we can see the following
• i) The equation for the deflection of a thin
• isotropic plate should govern the bi-
• harmonic equation given by equation (A).
• ii) Once the expression for deflection is
• obtained by solving the bi-harmonic equation
• All the quantities like bending moments and
shear forces can be obtained by the above
relations.
• The solution to the bi-harmonic equation should
also satisfy the boundary conditions.
• The boundary conditions are provide by the
proper support conditions for the given plate.
• The ideal boundary conditions for an edge can
be any of the following
• i) Fixed edge ii) Simply supported edge
• iii) Free edge iv) Sliding edge
• v) Beam Supported edge
• i) Fixed edge
• This is also known as encastre edge.
• Here the support conditions tell that deflection
as well as slope =0.
• For an edge x= constant, we may say that
𝜕𝑤
• w=o and = 0 for a fixed edge.
𝜕𝑥

• Similarly for other edges, we may suitable

define the fixed boundary condition.
• Ii)Simply supported edge
• If an edge is supported to have zero deflection,
but rotation being allowed is called simply
supported condition.
• At simple support ,deflection =0 and normal
bending moment=0.
• Hence for x =constant,
• w=0 and 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = 0.
• Here the first is called geometric boundary
condition and second is called force boundary
condition.
• The second condition can be written as
 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = −𝐷 +υ 2 =0
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦
• For straight edge in y direction,
• We can see that deflection and x

• All its derivatives in y direction are zero.

𝜕2 𝑤
• Hence also =0.
𝜕𝑦 2
𝜕2 𝑤
• Hence we get =0
for a simply supported
2
𝜕𝑥
edge.(This is a geometric condition)
• Hence for an edge x= constant, we may say
𝜕2 𝑤
that w=o and 2 =0 for a simply supported
𝜕𝑥
edge.
• Similarly for other edges, we may suitable
define the simply supported boundary condition.
• Iii) Free edge
• For a free edge without any support, all forces
should vanish at the edge.
• Hence for the edge x=constant, we have
• a) Bending moment 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = 0
• b) Twisting moment 𝑀𝑥𝑦 = 0
• c) Shear force 𝑄𝑥 = 0.
• But since the plate equation is a fourth order
equation, we can have only 4 boundary
conditions. Hence 2 each on two edges.
• Hence we cannot accommodate three B.Cs
above.
• We have to reduce them to two.
• This is done as follows.
• Here we combine the last two B.Cs to one
boundary condition.
• Consider the side x=constant.
dy
dy

A
C B

𝑄𝑥
y

• Consider 3 points A,B and C very near as

shown in the figure.
• Assume that the shear at B =𝑄𝑥 . 𝑑𝑦 (Shear at a
typical point)
• Now for this edge, there will be twisting moment
𝑀𝑥𝑦 (per unit length) also.
• For AB section, the twisting moment will be
𝑀𝑥𝑦 . 𝑑𝑦 clockwise
• This can be replaced by a couple of two vertical
forces 𝑀𝑥𝑦 at distance of dy.
• The bending moment at BC will be
𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑦
• (𝑀𝑥𝑦 + 𝑑𝑦). 𝑑𝑦 clockwise
𝜕𝑦
• This can also be replaced by a couple of two vertical
𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑦
forces 𝑀𝑥𝑦 + at distance of dy.
• Hence we can show the following figure for the
twisting moments.
𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑦 𝑀𝑥𝑦
𝑀𝑥𝑦 + dy
𝜕𝑦
dy dy

A
C B
y 𝑀𝑥𝑦
𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑦
𝑀𝑥𝑦 + dy
𝜕𝑦

• Now for the point B a net effective downward

𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑦
force = . 𝑑𝑦 exists.
𝜕𝑦
• This is added to the existing shear 𝑄𝑥 𝑑𝑦 to get
𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑦
the effective shear force (𝑄𝑥 + ). 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑉𝑥 .dy
𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑦
• 𝑉 is called the effective shear force =(𝑄 + ).
• Another name given to 𝑉𝑥 is Kirchhoff shear.
• Hence to reduce the three B.C to two B.C we
combine the two quantities namely, the shear
force 𝑄𝑥 and twisting moment 𝑀𝑥𝑦 to get
effective shear force 𝑉𝑥 and prescribe the
boundary condition for 𝑉𝑥 .
• (This is done by replacing the twisting moment
by a set of vertical shears and adding to the
already existing shear force)
• Thus for a free edge (x= constant), the
conditions will be
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = 0 and 𝑉𝑥 = 0.
• Thus we have reduced 3 BCs to 2 BCs.
• Consequent to the above, we can see that
there will be an imbalance of the forces at the
corners of the plate.
• This will result in lifting of corners, if proper
supports are not provided.
• The corner force magnitude may be given by a simple
expression 2𝑀𝑥𝑦 as can be explained from the
diagram shown earlier.
• (Point B represents a typical interior point in the
diagram. There are infinite number of points like
(A,B,C).All the interior points forces are partly
cancelled as shown except when we come to the
corner. There they add with the similar term from the
other edge of the plate making it 2𝑀𝑥𝑦 )
• The expression for modified shear force in
terms of deflection will be as follows
𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑦
• 𝑉𝑥 =(𝑄𝑥 + )
𝜕𝑦
𝜕2 𝑤
𝜕 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕(D(1−υ) )
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
•= −𝐷 + −
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑦
𝜕 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
•= −𝐷 [ 2 + (2 − υ) 2 ]
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
• The above conditions can also be extended for
y=constant edge.
• The B.C for free edge would be 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = 0 and 𝑉𝑦 = 0.
𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑦 𝜕 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
where 𝑉𝑦 =(𝑄𝑦 + )= −𝐷 [ 2 + (2 − υ) 2 ]
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
• iv) Sliding edge
• In this case, the edge is free to move vertically
but cannot have any rotation.
• Since the edge can slide vertically, the support
is incapable of resisting any shear force. Thus
the boundary condition for sliding edge can be
written as
𝜕𝑤
• Along x=constant, = 0, Shear Force 𝑉𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝑥
• (Note that it is the Kirchhoff shear =0)

x
• V) Beam Supported edge
• If the edge of a rectangular plate is
monolithically connected to a supporting beam,
then the deflection and rotation at the edge
would not be zero but would be equal to the
deflection and rotation of the beam.
𝑉𝑥
𝑀𝑥𝑥
x
𝑉𝑥
𝑀𝑥𝑥

• The forces acting on the edge of the plate along

x=constant namely 𝑀𝑥𝑥 and 𝑉𝑥 get transmitted to the
beam.
• The direction of the force and moment acting on
the edge beam will be opposite to that of the
direction of the force and bending moment
acting on the edge of the plate.
• The bending moment 𝑀𝑥𝑥 acting at the edge of
the plate will now become the twisting moment
on the beam while the effective shear 𝑉𝑥 acting
at the edge of the plate will now become the
distributed load on the beam.
• These forces acting on the beam cause it to
twist and deflect.
• Let B and C be the flexural and torsional
rigidities of the beam.
• From the differential equation of the deflection
curve of the beam, we can write
𝜕4 𝑤
• At x =constant, 𝐵 4 = −𝑉𝑥
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑀𝑥𝑦
• where 𝑉𝑥 =(𝑄𝑥 + )
𝜕𝑦
• For obtaining the second condition , twisting of
the beam is to be considered.
• The twisting moment due to a torque can be
computed as
𝜕2 𝑤
• −𝐶 = −𝑀𝑥𝑥
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
• Where 𝑀𝑥𝑥 is the bending moment in the plate.
 Pure Bending of Isotropic Plates
• Before discussing plates with lateral loads, we
will discuss about plates subjected to pure
bending moments.
• Consider a rectangular plate which is subjected
to bending moments 𝑀1 and 𝑀2 per metre
𝑎 𝑏
length along the edges 𝑥 = ± and 𝑦 = ± as
2 2
shown in the figure. 𝑀2
𝑀1
b a

𝑀2 𝑀1 x
y
• For the given problem, we have
𝑎 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• At 𝑥 = ± , 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = −𝐷 + υ 2 = 𝑀1
2 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦
𝑏 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• At y= ± , 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = −𝐷 +υ 2 = 𝑀2
2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥
• Since it is case of pure bending, B. M at any will
be 𝑀1 and 𝑀2 causing bending in xz and yz
planes
• Hence in general we may say that for any point
in the plate,
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• −𝐷
𝜕𝑥 2
+ υ 2
𝜕𝑦
= 𝑀1
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• And −𝐷 + υ 2 = 𝑀2
𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥
 𝜕2 𝑤 −(𝑀1 −υ𝑀2 )
• Solving, we get =
𝜕𝑥 2 𝐷(1−υ2 )
𝜕2 𝑤 −(𝑀2 −υ𝑀1 )
• And =
𝜕𝑦 2 𝐷(1−υ2 )
• Integrating the above by parts, we get
𝑀1 −𝜐𝑀2 2 𝑀2 −𝜐𝑀1
• 𝑤=− 𝑥 − 𝑦2
2𝐷 1−υ2 2𝐷 1−υ2
• Now when 𝑀1 = 𝑀2 = 𝑀, then
𝑀
• 𝑤= − (𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 )
2𝐷 1+υ
• This curved surface is a paraboloid of
revolution.
• Here both the moments are sagging(+ve)
• Hence curvatures in both directions are of the
same sign.
• The surface so generated are called synclastic
surface. (𝑀1 , 𝑀2 >0).
• When 𝑀1 = 𝑀 and 𝑀2 = −𝑀, we get
𝑀
• w= − (𝑥 2 −𝑦 2 )
2𝐷 1+υ
• Such surfaces are called anticlastic surfaces.
• Here the curvatures in both directions are
opposite in sign.
 Cylindrical Bending of Plates
• Consider a long rectangular plate which is
subjected to a lateral load q(x) which does not
vary in y direction (as shown in the figure)
a

x
Unit width
y

• Here x=0 and x=a are simply supported edges.

• The plate is subjected to load q(x)
• Here the dimension of the plate in y direction is
very large.
• Hence this is a case of cylindrical bending.
• For such a bent surface, the curvature in y
direction and twist =0.
𝑑2𝑤 𝑑2𝑤
• Hence, 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = −𝐷 2 and 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = −𝐷υ 2
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
• To analyse such plate it is enough to consider a
strip of unit width perpendicular to y axis as
shown.
• The deflection of this strip will be defined by a
differential equation which is similar to the
deflection of a beam.
• Hence the governing D.E is
𝑑4𝑤 𝑞(𝑥)
• =
𝑑𝑥 4 𝐷
• The above differential equation can be solved if
q(x) is known.
• Assuming a udl, q(x) = 𝑞0 and integrating four
times , we get
𝑞0 𝑥 4
• 𝑤 = 𝐴 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶𝑥 2 + 𝐷𝑥 3 +
24𝐷
• Constants A , B ,C and D are found from
boundary conditions at x=0 and x=a namely
𝑑2𝑤
• 𝑤 = 0 and =0
𝑑𝑥 2
 𝑞0 𝑎4 𝑥 𝑥3 𝑥4
• Solving, we get 𝑤 = ( −2 3 + 4 )
24 𝐷 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
• The above equation is similar to the beam
equation where EI is replaced by D, the flexural
rigidity of plate.
• Unlike the beam, we have two bending
moments in 𝑀𝑥𝑥 and 𝑀𝑦𝑦 in the plate.
• Thus we considered two simple cases of plate
bending namely pure bending and cylindrical
bending.
• Now we will discuss more general case of plate
bending.
Navier Solution for Simply
Supported Plates

SS
SS
a
x
b SS

SS
y
• For all sides simply supported rectangular
plates, there is a method based on double
Fourier Series.
• This is called Navier’s method.
• Here we expand the loading as well as the
deflection in a double Fourier sine series.
• The basis of this is that the deflection satisfies
the boundary condition that it is =0 on the
boundary. Also the bending moment is zero on
the boundary. Hence SS condition is satisfied.
 Fourier Series-Basics
• Any integrable periodic function can be
expanded in terms of a Fourier sine series or
cosine series.
• We will be seeing Fourier sine series
• Consider a function f(x, y).
• In our case, this may represent deflection or
applied load.
• This can be expanded in terms of a Fourier
Sine series as follows
 ∞ ∞ 𝑚π𝑥 𝑛π𝑦
• 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = σ𝑚=1 σ𝑛=1 𝑓𝑚𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑎 𝑏
• Here a and b are the sides of the rectangular
plate we analyse.
• 𝑓𝑚𝑛 are called the Fourier coefficients of the
function f(x, y)
• Expression for 𝑓𝑚𝑛 are derived from the
orthogonal properties of sine functions.
• Multiplying the above equation by
𝑚π𝑥 𝑛π𝑦
s𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 and integrating , we get
𝑎 𝑏
𝑎 2 𝑚π𝑥 𝑏 2 𝑛π𝑦
• 𝑓𝑚𝑛 ‫=𝑥׬‬0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 dx. ‫=𝑦׬‬0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 dy
𝑎 𝑏
𝑎 𝑏 𝑛π𝑥 𝑛π𝑦
• = ‫=𝑥׬‬0 ‫=𝑦׬‬0 f(x, y)𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 dx dy
𝑎 𝑏
• (i.e.)
𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏 𝑛π𝑥 𝑛π𝑦
• 𝑓𝑚𝑛 .
2 2
= ‫=𝑥׬‬0 ‫=𝑦׬‬0 f(x, y)𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑎
𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑏
dx dy
• (Or) we get the Fourier coefficient of the
function as
4 𝑎 𝑏 𝑛π𝑥 𝑛π𝑦
• 𝑓𝑚𝑛 = ‫׬‬𝑥=0 ‫׬‬𝑦=0
f(x, y)𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 dx dy
𝑎𝑏 𝑎 𝑏
• Hence the Fourier coefficient 𝑓𝑚𝑛 depends on
the function f(x,y).
• This function can be anything like
• c ,x, y, xy, 𝑥 2 etc…. Where c is a constant.
• Hence 𝑤 𝑥, 𝑦 = σ∞ σ∞
𝑚=1 𝑛=1 𝐴𝑚𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
𝑚π 𝑛π
• Where α𝑚 = and β𝑛 =
𝑎 𝑏
• And 𝐴𝑚𝑛 is a constant(Fourier coefficient)
• This form of deflection satisfies the simply
supported boundary conditions.
• The lateral load q(x,y) is also expressed in
terms of a double Fourier series as
• q 𝑥, 𝑦 = σ∞ σ ∞
𝑚=1 𝑛=1 𝑞𝑚𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
• Here 𝑞𝑚𝑛 is the Fourier coefficient of the load.
• Substituting the above expressions in the thin
plate equation equation (5), we get
 𝑞𝑚𝑛
• σ∞ σ∞
[𝐴 (α
𝑚=1 𝑛=1 𝑚𝑛 𝑚
2 + β2𝑛 )2 − ]𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦 = 0.
𝐷
• The above is valid for all values of x and y.
• Hence we can see that
2 2 𝑞𝑚𝑛
• [𝐴𝑚𝑛 (α2𝑚 + β𝑛 ) − ] =0
𝐷
𝑞𝑚𝑛
• Thus 𝐴𝑚𝑛 =
𝐷(α2𝑚 +β2𝑛 )2
• Hence the expression for deflection becomes
• 𝑤 𝑥, 𝑦 = σ∞ σ ∞
𝑚=1 𝑛=1 𝐴𝑚𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
∞ ∞ 𝑞𝑚𝑛
• = σ𝑚=1 σ𝑛=1 2 2 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
𝐷(α +β ) 𝑚 𝑛

• Thus we should first determine 𝑞𝑚𝑛 , the Fourier

coefficient of the load first.
• The expression for 𝑞𝑚𝑛 will be determined by
the type of load acting on the plate.
• Different types of loads are given below.
• a) Uniformly distributed load.
• Consider the SS plate subjected to fully
covering udl of intensity q.
• Now first we will get the Fourier coefficient of
the load.
• The expression for Fourier coefficient is given
by
4
• 𝑞𝑚𝑛 = ‫׭‬𝑞 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦 dx dy.
𝑎𝑏
• Here q is constant.
4
• Hence 𝑞𝑚𝑛 = ‫𝑛𝑖𝑠 𝑞׭‬α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦 dx dy
𝑎𝑏
4𝑞 𝑎 𝑏
• = ‫=𝑥׬‬0 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥𝑑𝑥. ‫=𝑦׬‬0 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦𝑑𝑦
𝑎𝑏
16𝑞
• = 2 when m,n odd
𝑚𝑛π
• =0 when m,n even.
• Thus the equation for the deflected shape is
∞ ∞ 16𝑞
• W= σ𝑚=1,3,5 σ𝑛=1,3,5 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
𝐷𝑚𝑛π2 (α2𝑚 +β2𝑛 )2
• This is a fast converging series
• Considering a square plate(a=b), we can simplify the
above expression as follows(for central maximum
deflection)
 𝑚π 𝑛π
16 𝑞𝑎4 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛
• 𝑤𝑚𝑎𝑥 = σ∞ ∞
𝑚=1,3,5 σ
2 2
𝑛=1,3,5 𝑚𝑛(𝑚2 +𝑛2 )2
π6 𝐷
• (This is for x=a/2,y=a/2)
𝑞𝑎4
• Taking the first term, we get 𝑤𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.00416
𝐷
• By taking large number of terms, the converged
𝑞𝑎4
value of the maximum deflection is 0.00406 .
𝐷
• Also maximum bending moment will also occur
at centre of the plate (x=a/2,y=a/2)
• The converged value for the max. moment is
• (𝑀𝑥𝑥 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (𝑀𝑦𝑦 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.0479𝑞𝑎2
• b) SS Plate subjected to half span load

b/2 x
y
a b/2

• Here q(x,y) = q , 0<x<a, 0<y<b/2

• =0 otherwise.
• Here only the limits of integration to be changed
in finding the Fourier Coefficient of the load.
4
• 𝑞𝑚𝑛 = ‫׭‬ 𝑞(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦 dx dy
𝑎𝑏
𝑏
4𝑞 𝑎
• = ‫׬‬ 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥𝑑𝑥. ‫׬‬ 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦𝑑𝑦
𝑎𝑏 𝑥=0 𝑦=0
 4𝑞 𝑛π
• 𝑞𝑚𝑛 = 2 (1 − cosmπ)(1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 )
𝑚𝑛π 2
• We can see that 𝑞𝑚𝑛 = 0, when m is even
8𝑞 𝑛π
• And 𝑞𝑚𝑛 = 2 (1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ), m odd
𝑚𝑛π 2
• Hence the expression for deflection surface of
the plate will be given as follows(Using the
Navier’s formula)
𝑞𝑚𝑛
• 𝑤 𝑥, 𝑦 = σ∞ σ∞
𝑚=1 𝑛=1 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
𝐷(α2𝑚 +β2𝑛 )2
8𝑞
∞ 𝑚𝑛π2
(1−𝑐𝑜𝑠
𝑛π
) ,
• = σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5 σ 𝑛=1 𝐷(α2 +β2 )2
2
𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
𝑚 𝑛
𝑛π
8𝑞 ∞ (1−𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 )
∞
• = 2
σ𝑚=1,3,5 σ𝑛=1 2 2 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
π 𝐷𝑚𝑛(α𝑚 +β𝑛 )
• Again considering a square plate(a=b), we can
simplify the above expression as follows(for
central maximum deflection)
𝑛π 𝑚π 𝑛π
8 𝑞𝑎4 (1−𝑐𝑜𝑠 )𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛
• 𝑤𝑚𝑎𝑥 = σ∞ σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5 𝑛=1
2 2 2
π6 𝐷 𝑚𝑛(𝑚2 +𝑛2 )2

• By considering first term in the series, we have

𝑞𝑎4
• 𝑤𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.00208
𝐷
• Taking more number of terms, we get
𝑞𝑎4
converged value as 0.00203 .
𝐷
• Similarly, Max. central moment =0.024𝑞𝑎2 .
• These are values half that of the fully loaded
• c) SS Plate Subjected to Patch Load.
• In this case udl of intensity q is applied over a
region c x d.
• Total load acting on the plate, P=qcd .
• Assume the centre of the patch load at (ξ,η)
a
x
η ξ
d
b
c

• The Fourier coefficient expression for this case

can be obtained as follows.
 4
• 𝑞𝑚𝑛 = ‫׭‬𝑞 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦 dx dy
𝑎𝑏
𝑐 𝑑
4𝑞 (ξ+ ) (η+ )
• = ‫׬‬ 2
𝑐 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥𝑑𝑥. ‫׬‬
2
𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦𝑑𝑦
𝑎𝑏 𝑥=(ξ− ) 𝑦=(η− )
2 2

• After integration and simplification, we get

16𝑞 α𝑚 𝑐 β𝑛 𝑑
• 𝑞𝑚𝑛 = 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 η𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 .
𝑚𝑛π 2 2
• From this, we can get the expression for
deflection as
∞ ∞ 𝑞𝑚𝑛
• 𝑤 𝑥, 𝑦 = σ𝑚=1 σ𝑛=1 2 2 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
𝐷(α +β )𝑚 𝑛

• Now from patch load results , we can get

results for concentrated load
• d) SS Plate Subjected to Concentrated Load,
P P

a
b
η x
ξ

• This is a special case of patch load when

loading area dimensions, c, d 0
• For patch load, we have
16𝑞 α𝑚 𝑐 β𝑛 𝑑
• 𝑞𝑚𝑛 = 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 η𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 .
𝑚𝑛π 2 2
α𝑚 𝑐 α𝑚 𝑐
• As c and d tend to 0, 𝑠𝑖𝑛 tends to
2 2
 β𝑛 𝑑 β𝑛 𝑑
• And 𝑠𝑖𝑛 tends to .
2 2
• Hence (For the concentrated load)
16𝑞 α𝑚 𝑐 β𝑛 𝑑
• 𝑞𝑚𝑛 = 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 η
𝑚𝑛π 2 2
16𝑞 𝑚π𝑐 𝑛π𝑑
• = 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 η
𝑚𝑛π 2𝑎 2𝑏
4𝑃
• = 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 η
𝑎𝑏
• (Here we used total load, P=qcd)
• Hence the expression for deflection surface is
given by
∞ ∞ 𝑞𝑚𝑛
• 𝑤 𝑥, 𝑦 = σ𝑚=1 σ𝑛=1 2 2 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
𝐷(α +β ) 𝑚 𝑛
 4𝑃
𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 η
• 𝑤 𝑥, 𝑦 = σ∞
𝑚=1 σ
∞ 𝑎𝑏
𝑛=1 𝐷(α2𝑚 +β2𝑛 )2
𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
• Again for a square plate a=b and for maximum
deflection (x=y=a/2), we get
4𝑃𝑎2 ∞ ∞ 1
• 𝑤𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 4
σ𝑚=1,3,5 σ𝑛=1,3,5 2 2 2.
𝐷π (𝑚 +𝑛 )
𝑃𝑎2
• Taking many terms, we get 𝑤𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.01159
𝐷
(Converged value)
• It is possible to obtain the deflection for other types of
loads by substituting the corresponding Fourier
coefficient for the load 𝑞𝑚𝑛 .
• From we can get the deflection, moments, shear etc.
• e) Plate Subjected to Line Load p
• Consider a plate subjected to line load p/unit
length as shown in the figure.
p
𝑏 x
η=
2
ξ
y a b

• Let the line load be parallel to y axis at distance

ξ from it.
• Now the results for this case can be obtained
from that for the patch load(as c tends to 0 and
d tends to b)
• Hence we have to suitably modify the Fourier
• Of the load.
• Hence here
16𝑞 α𝑚 𝑐 β𝑛 𝑑
• 𝑞𝑚𝑛 = 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 η𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑚𝑛π 2 2
• as c tends to 0 and d tends to b
16𝑞 α𝑚 𝑐 𝑛π
• = 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 η 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑚𝑛π 2 2
𝑏
• Also here η =
2
16𝑞 𝑛π 𝑚π𝑐 𝑛π
• Hence 𝑞𝑚𝑛 = 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑚𝑛π 2 2𝑎 2
16𝑞𝑐 2 𝑛π
• = 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑎𝑛π 2
 𝑛π
• Now qc=p and 𝑠𝑖𝑛 =0 for even n.
2
• Hence we get the following Fourier coefficient
for the line load.
8𝑝
• 𝑞𝑚𝑛 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ , m=1,2,3.. And
𝑎𝑛π
• n=1,3,5..
• Hence the deflection expression for a line load
is given by
∞ ∞ 𝑞𝑚𝑛
• 𝑤 𝑥, 𝑦 = σ𝑚=1 σ𝑛=1 2 2 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
𝐷(α +β )
𝑚 𝑛
8𝑝
∞ ( 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ)
• = σ∞
𝑚=1 σ
𝑎𝑛π
𝑛=1,3,5 𝐷(α2 +β2 )2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
𝑚 𝑛
 8𝑝 ∞ (𝑠𝑖𝑛α ξ)
• 𝑤 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑎π σ∞ 𝑚
𝑚=1 𝑛=1,3,5 𝑛𝐷(α2 +β2 )2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦.
σ
𝑚 𝑛

• f) SS Plate subjected to linearly varying load

• Consider a plate subjected to linearly varing
load in x direction as below.
•
𝑞0

y x

𝑞0 𝑥
• Here load intensity is given by 𝑞 = .
𝑎
• The Fourier coefficient of the load is given
below.
 4
• 𝑞𝑚𝑛 = ‫𝑛𝑖𝑠 𝑞׭‬α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦 dx dy
𝑎𝑏
4 𝑞0 𝑥
• = ‫׭‬ 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦 dx dy
𝑎𝑏 𝑎
4𝑞0 𝑎 𝑏
• = 2 ‫=𝑥׬‬0 𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 ‫=𝑦׬‬0 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦𝑑𝑦
𝑎 𝑏
4𝑞0 (1−cosnπ) 𝒂
• = 2 ‫׬‬𝒙=𝟎
𝒙𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜶𝒎 𝒙 𝒅𝒙
𝑎 𝑏 β𝑛
4𝑞0 (1−cosnπ) −𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑚π
• = 2 ( ) Integration
𝑎 𝑏 β𝑛 α𝑚 by parts

8𝑞0 𝑚+1
• = 2 (−1) , m=1,2,3,..
𝑚𝑛π
• n=1,3,5…..
• Hence the expression for deflection is given as
 ∞ ∞ 𝑞𝑚𝑛
• 𝑤 𝑥, 𝑦 = σ𝑚=1 σ𝑛=1 2 2 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
𝐷(α +β )𝑚 𝑛
8𝑞0 𝑚+1
(−1)
∞ 𝑚𝑛π2
• = σ∞
𝑚=1 σ 𝑛=1 𝐷(α2 +β2 )2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
𝑚 𝑛
8𝑞0 ∞ (−1)𝑚+1
• =
π 2
∞
σ𝑚=1,2,3 σ𝑛=1,3,5 2 2
𝐷𝑚𝑛(α𝑚 +β𝑛 ) 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
 Influence Function for SS Plates
• Influence function is a more general form of
influence lines.
• For a simply supported plate, if we apply a unit
load at some point and measure the deflection
at some other point ,that can be taken as
influence function.
• This we have already discussed
• Earlier case, we put P=1 to get the following
expression for influence function.
 4 ∞ 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 η
• G 𝑥, 𝑦, ξ, η = σ∞ σ 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
𝑎𝑏𝐷 𝑚=1 𝑛=1 (α2𝑚 +β2𝑛 )2

• This will be the deflection at (x, y) due to unit

load at (ξ, η).
• Thus for any arbitrary distributed load, we can
find the deflection by the following formula.
• 𝑤 𝑥, 𝑦 = ‫׬‬ξ ‫׬‬η 𝑞(ξ, η)G 𝑥, 𝑦, ξ, η dξdη
• Also other types of loads like Concentrated
moments can be solved using the influence
function as follows.
• Consider a plate subjected to moment M as
shown.
• Let the moment M be applied at (ξ,η) in x
direction.
M
η
x
ξ

• Now this moment can be taken as a couple as

shown.
P
ξ
∆ξ P

• Hence the plate is subjected to two loads

• Upward load P at (ξ,η) and downward load P
• (ξ+∆ξ,η).
• Hence the deflection of the Plate due to
moment is the same as the deflection of the
plate due to two concentrated loads applied as
shown above.
• W (Due to M) =w(Due to upward P at (ξ,η))+w
due to downward P at (ξ+∆ξ,η))
• = P[G 𝑥, 𝑦, ξ + ∆ξ, η − G 𝑥, 𝑦, ξ, η ]
[G 𝑥,𝑦,ξ+∆ξ,η −G 𝑥,𝑦,ξ,η ]
• = P. ∆ξ.
∆ξ
• Since the moment is applied at point (ξ,η), the
two load P are very near so that ∆ξ tends to 0
and P. ∆ξ tends to M
• So we get the deflection due to Moment M is
given by
[G 𝑥,𝑦,ξ+∆ξ,η −G 𝑥,𝑦,ξ,η ]
• M. 𝐿𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡∆ξ 0 ∆ξ
𝜕G 𝑥,𝑦,ξ,η
• = 𝑀
𝜕ξ
4 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 η
𝜕[𝑎𝑏𝐷 σ∞ ∞
𝑚=1 σ𝑛=1 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦]
α2 +β 2 2
• =𝑀 𝑚 𝑛
𝜕ξ

• =
𝟒𝑴 ∞
𝒂𝒃𝑫
σ𝒎=𝟏 σ∞
𝒏=𝟏
𝜶𝒎 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜶𝒎 𝝃 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜷𝒏 𝜼
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜶𝒎 𝒙 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜷𝒏 𝒚
𝜶 +𝜷𝒎 𝒏

• This is how we can get result for a concentrated

moment.
• Simply supported Rectangular Plate
Subjected to Sinusoidal Load.
• Consider a fully SS rectangular Plate subjected
to sinusoidal load given by
π𝑥 π𝑦
• 𝑞 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑞0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑎 𝑏
• As shown in the figure below.
x

y
• Now the deflection surface is taken as
π𝑥 π𝑦
• w 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑤0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑎 𝑏
• This satisfies the SS boundary conditions.
• Substituting in the plate equation, we get
π4 π4 π4 π𝑥 π𝑦 π𝑥 π𝑦
• 𝐷 + 2 2 2 + 𝑤0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 = 𝑞0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑎4 𝑎 𝑏 𝑏4 𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏
𝑞0 𝑞0
• Hence 𝑤0 = π4 π4 π4
= π2 π2 2
𝐷 +2 2 2 + 4 𝐷( 2 + 2 )
𝑎4 𝑎 𝑏 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏

• Hence the expression for deflection surface is

𝑞0 π𝑥 π𝑦
• w 𝑥, 𝑦 = π2 π2 2
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 .
𝐷( + ) 𝑎 𝑏
𝑎2 𝑏2

• From the above deflection we can find all the

necessary quantities.
• Let’s find the quantities for a square plate(a=b)
• The central deflection
𝑞0 π π
• w 𝑎/2, 𝑎/2 = π2 π2 2
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 .
𝐷( + ) 2 2
𝑎2 𝑎2
𝑞0 𝑎4
• = = 0.00257𝑞0 𝑎4
4𝐷π4
• Now let’s find the expressions for bending
moment and twisting moments for a general
rectangular plate(𝑎 ≠ 𝑏).
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤 𝑞0 π2 π2 π𝑥 π𝑦
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = −𝐷 + υ 2 = 2( 2 + υ 2 )𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 .
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 π2 π2 𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏
2 + 2
𝑎 𝑏

𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤 𝑞0 π2 π2 π𝑥 π𝑦
• 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = −𝐷 + υ 2 = 2 (υ 2 + )𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 .
𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥 π 2 π 2 𝑎 𝑏2 𝑎 𝑏
2 + 2
𝑎 𝑏
• And
𝜕2 𝑤
• 𝑀𝑥𝑦 = −D(1 − υ)
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦

𝑞0 1−𝜐 π2 π𝑥 π𝑦
• = 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑠
π2 π2 𝑎𝑏 𝑎 𝑏
𝑎2+ 2
𝑏

𝜕(𝛻2 𝑤)
• Now shear force 𝑄𝑥 = −𝐷
𝜕𝑥
𝜕3 𝑤 𝜕3 𝑤
• = −D( 3 + 2 )
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
π3 π3
𝑞0 ( 3 + 2 ) π𝑥 π𝑦 𝑞0 π π𝑥 π𝑦
• = 𝑎
π2 π2 2
𝑎𝑏
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑎 𝑏
= π2 π2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑎 𝑏
( 2+ 2) 𝑎( + )
𝑎 𝑏 𝑎2 𝑏2
• For a square plate a=b, the bending moments
• and twisting moment at centre will be
(x=a/2,y=a/2)
𝑞0 π2 π2 π π
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = 2 2 2( 2 + υ 2 )𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 .
π π 𝑎 𝑎 2 2
2 + 2
𝑎 𝑎

𝑞0 (1+υ)𝑎2
• = = 0.1317𝑞0 𝑎2 (assuming υ=0.3)
π2
• By symmetry 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = 𝑀𝑦𝑦 at the centre.
• Also by symmetry, 𝑀𝑥𝑦 = 0 at the centre.
• Now let’s find the support reactions for the
square plate.
• Support reactions consists of side reactions in
the form of distributed forces and corner
reactions in the form of concentrated forces.
• The side reactions are nothing but the Kirchhoff
shear 𝑉𝑥 and 𝑉𝑦 .
• Now we have already got expressions for
Kirchhoff reactions as
𝜕 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• 𝑉𝑥 = −𝐷 [ 2 + (2 − υ) 2 ]
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

π3 π3
𝑞0 ( 3 +(2−υ) 2 ) π𝑥 π𝑦
• = 𝑎
π2 π2 2
𝑎𝑏
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (for a=b)
( 2+ 2) 𝑎 𝑏
𝑎 𝑏
 π3 π3
𝑞0 ( 3 +(2−υ) 3 ) π𝑥 π𝑦
𝑎 𝑎
• 𝑉𝑥 = π2 π2 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑛
( 2+ 2) 𝑎 𝑎
𝑎 𝑎
𝑞0 𝑎(3−υ) π𝑥 π𝑦 π𝑥 π𝑦
• = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑛 = 0.2148𝑞0 𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑛
4π 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
π𝑦 π𝑥
• Because of symmetry 𝑉𝑦 = 0.2148𝑞0 𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑎 𝑎
• Coming to the corner reaction, all the corner
reactions will be equal because of symmetry.
• All of them R = 2𝑀𝑥𝑦 (at corner say x=0,y=0)
2𝑞0 1−𝜐 π2 π𝑥 π𝑦
• = 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (a=b)
π2 π2 𝑎𝑏 𝑎 𝑏
𝑎2+ 2 𝑏

𝑞0 𝑎2 1−𝜐
• = = 0.0355𝑞0
2π2
• 𝑉𝑥 and 𝑉𝑦 will be upward and R will be
downward (as shown below).
π𝑥 π𝑦
𝑞 = 𝑞0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑎 𝑏
x

R
𝑉𝑥

y R 𝑉𝑦 R

• Now total downward load(due to applied

distributed load) is given by
𝑎 𝑎 π𝑥 π𝑦 4𝑞0 𝑎2
• ‫=𝑥׬‬0 ‫=𝑦׬‬0 𝑞0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑏 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = = 0.405 𝑞0 𝑎2
π2
• Also 4R=0.14𝑞0 𝑎2 .
• Hence total downward load=0.545𝑞0 𝑎2
• Now total upward force(Due to 𝑉𝑥 and 𝑉𝑦 ) is
given by the following
𝑎 𝑎 π𝑦
• 4 ‫=𝑦׬‬0 𝑉𝑥 𝑑𝑦 (For x=0)= 4 ‫=𝑦׬‬0 0.2148𝑞0 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑦
𝑎
𝑞0 𝑎2
• = 0.859 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠π = 0.547𝑞0 𝑎2
π
• Hence equilibrium is established.
• From the above examples, it is clear that
Navier’s solution provides considerable
mathematical advantage as the solution is
reduced to a simple algebraic equation and
handle complex load distributions.
• However, the solution is limited to only all
round simply supported plate.
• A more general solution was developed by
Levy, which requires only one pair of
edges(opposite edges) to be simply supported
while the other pair can have any type of
boundary conditions.
• This method explained below.
 Levy’s Solution for Rectangular
Plates
• In Levy’s solution, it is necessary that only one
pair of opposite edges are simply supported.
• The other pair can have any type of boundary
conditions.
• Levy’s solution should also satisfy the
governing differential equation and boundary
conditions.
• The solution for the governing differential
equation can be obtained in two parts namely,
homogeneous part(𝑤0 ) and the particular
• Integral (𝑤1 )
• Total solution 𝑤 = 𝑤0 + 𝑤1
• The homogeneous solution is obtained from the
equation 𝜵𝟒 𝒘𝟎 = 𝟎. ------(a)
• Consider a rectangular plate which is simply
supported along x=0 and x=a.
SS

SS b/2
a
y b/2 x

𝜕2 𝑤
• The simply supported B.C are 𝑤 = =0
𝜕𝑥 2
• The solution to equation a can be taken in the
following form
• 𝑤0 = σ∞ 𝑚=1 𝑓𝑚 𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥
𝑚π
• Where 𝑓𝑚 𝑦 is a function of y only. α𝑚 =
𝑎
• The assumed solution satisfies the simply
supported boundary condition.
• Substituting the above in equation (a), we get
the following ordinary differential equation.
𝑑 2𝑓 𝑑 4 𝑓𝑚
• σ∞ [α4
𝑚=1 𝑚 𝑓𝑚 −
2
2α𝑚 2 𝑚
+ 4 ]𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 =0
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
• This should be satisfied by all x.
𝑑 2 𝑓𝑚 𝑑 4 𝑓𝑚
• Hence we have α4𝑚 𝑓𝑚 − 2
2α𝑚 2 + =0
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 4
• The solution to the ODE can be taken as
• 𝑓𝑚 (𝑦) = 𝐴𝑒 λ𝑚𝑦
• Substituting this, we get the following algebraic
equation.
• α4𝑚 − 2α2𝑚 λ2𝑚 +λ4𝑚 = 0
• (Or) (α2𝑚 − λ2𝑚 )2 = 0
• Here we have real and repeated roots.
• The roots are λ𝑚 = ±α𝑚 occurring twice.
• Since we have repeated roots, the solution will
be 𝑒 ±α𝑚𝑦 and y𝑒 ±α𝑚𝑦 . Since exponentials can
be written using hyperbolic sine and cosine
forms, we have the following solution for 𝑓𝑚 (y).
• 𝑓𝑚 𝑦
• = (𝐴𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐵𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑦 +
• 𝐶𝑚 α𝑚 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐷𝑚 α𝑚 𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑦)
• Hence we get the homogeneous solution as
• 𝑤0 =
σ∞
𝑚=1(𝐴𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐵𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐶𝑚 𝛼𝑚 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦
+ 𝐷𝑚 𝛼𝑚 𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦)𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼𝑚 𝑥
• Next we have to get the particular solution.
• This depends on the type of loading present.
• The loading is a function of x and y. This is also expressed in
terms of a single Fourier series.
σ ∞
• 𝑞 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑚=1 𝑞𝑚 𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥
2 𝑎
• Where 𝑞𝑚 𝑦 = ‫=𝑥׬‬0 𝑞 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛(α𝑚 𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑎
• Substituting in the governing D.E for plates, we
get the following equation.
𝑑 2𝑝 𝑑 4 𝑝𝑚
• σ∞ [α4
𝑚=1 𝑚 𝑝𝑚 −
2
2α𝑚 2 𝑚
+ 4 ]𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
σ∞
𝑚=1 𝑞𝑚 𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥
• =
𝐷
• Since the above equation has to be satisfied for
all values of x, we have
𝑑 2𝑝 𝑑 4 𝑝𝑚 𝑞𝑚
• α4𝑚 𝑝𝑚 − 2
2α𝑚 2 𝑚
+ = .
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 4 𝐷
• By determining 𝑝𝑚 ,satisfying the above ODE,
the particular integral 𝑤1 can be determined.
• Thus we will be able to get the complete solution.
• Sometimes the Levy’s solution can be used to
consider the variation in loading in x direction
only.
• In that case, the particular integral can be
𝑞𝑚
written as 𝑝𝑚 = 4 where 𝑞𝑚 is the Fourier
α𝑚 𝐷
coefficient of the load.
• The total solution for Levy’s method is given by
the following equation.
• 𝑤=
(𝐴𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐵𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐶𝑚 𝛼𝑚 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦
σ∞ 𝑞 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼𝑚 𝑥 .
𝑚=1 +𝐷𝑚 𝛼𝑚 𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦 + 4𝑚 )
α𝑚 𝐷

• This is the starting point for Levy’s solution for

plates.
• The constants 𝐴𝑚 , 𝐵𝑚 , 𝐶𝑚 and 𝐷𝑚 are
determined by using the boundary conditions by
using the boundary conditions along the edges
y= constant.
• Some of the loads are considered as given
below.
• a) Uniformly distributed load q
2 𝑎 4𝑞
• 𝑞𝑚 = ‫׬‬ 𝑞𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = , m=1,3,5..
𝑎 0 𝑚π
𝒒𝟎 𝒙
• b) Hydrostatic load 𝒒 =
𝒂
2 𝑎 𝒒𝟎 𝒙 2𝑞0 (−1)𝑚+1
• 𝑞𝑚 = ‫׬‬0
𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 =
𝑎 𝒂 𝑚π
• C) Strip load of intensity q of width 2c
2c

x
ξ

𝟐 ξ+𝒄 4𝑞
• 𝒒𝒎 = ‫׬‬ξ−𝒄
𝑞 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑐
𝒂 𝑚π
• m=1,2,3….
• d) Line load p per unit length
p
ξ
x

4𝑞
• 𝑞𝑚 = 𝐿𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑐 0 𝑚π 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑐
4𝑞
• = 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ. α𝑚 𝑐
𝑚π
4𝑞 𝑚π 2𝑝
• = 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ. 𝑐 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ,
𝑚π 𝑎 𝑎
• m=1,2,3..
• (Here we have put 𝑝 = 2𝑞𝑐)
• Now let’s take some examples.
• 1) As a first example, let’s take an all edges simply
supported plate subjected to udl. This has been
discussed in Navier’s method.
• Now the starting solution for Levy’s method is given as
follows
• 𝑤=
(𝐴𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐵𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦 +
σ∞𝑚=1 𝐶 𝛼 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ𝛼 𝑦 + 𝐷 𝛼 𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝛼 𝑦 + 𝑞𝑚 )𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑥
𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 4 𝑚
α𝑚 𝐷
4𝑞
• Here for a udl, we have 𝑞𝑚 = , m=1,3,5..
𝑚π
𝑚π
• Also α𝑚 =
𝑎
• Hence 𝑤=
(𝐴𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐵𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦
σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5 4𝑞𝑎4
+ 𝐶𝑚 𝛼𝑚 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐷𝑚 𝛼𝑚 𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦 + )𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼𝑚 𝑥.
𝑚 5 π5 𝐷
• Now considering symmetry in y direction,
• We can see that odd terms of the deflection function w.r.t y,
should vanish.
• Hence 𝐵𝑚 = 𝐷𝑚 = 0 in the above expression for deflection.
• Hence the expression for deflection for this case would be
• 𝑤(𝑥, 𝑦) =
4𝑞𝑎4
σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5(𝐴𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐶𝑚 𝛼𝑚 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦 + 5 5 )𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼𝑚 𝑥
𝑚 π 𝐷
• The above deflection function satisfy the following
equations
• a) Plate differential equation
• b) The boundary condition at x=0 and x=a.
• Now it has to satisfy the B.C on other two edges
 𝑏
• Namely y= ± .
2
• For the present case, these edges are simple
supports.
• Hence the conditions at these supports is
𝑏 𝜕2 𝑤
• Along y= ± , 𝑤= =0
2 𝜕𝑦 2
• Using these conditions, we get the following two
equations
α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 4𝑞𝑎4
• 𝐴𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ + 𝐶𝑚 sinh + 5 5 =0 and
2 2 2 𝑚 π 𝐷
α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏
• 𝐴𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ + 𝐶𝑚 (2𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ + 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ ) =0
2 2 2 2
 Some Relations for Hyperbolic
𝑦 −𝑦
Functions 𝑦 −𝑦
𝑒 +𝑒 𝑒 −𝑒
• 𝐶𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑦 = , Sinℎ 𝑦 =
2 2
𝑑 𝑒 𝑦 −𝑒 −𝑦
• 𝐶𝑜𝑠ℎ𝑦 = = 𝑆𝑖𝑛ℎ𝑦
𝑑𝑦 2
𝑑 𝑒 𝑦 +𝑒 −𝑦
• 𝑆𝑖𝑛ℎ𝑦 = = 𝐶𝑜𝑠ℎ𝑦
𝑑𝑦 2
• 2𝑆𝑖𝑛ℎ𝑦. 𝐶𝑜𝑠ℎ𝑦 = 𝑆𝑖𝑛ℎ2𝑦
• 𝐶𝑜𝑠ℎ2 𝑦 − 𝑆𝑖𝑛ℎ2 𝑦 = 1
• 𝐶𝑜𝑠ℎ2 𝑦 + 𝑆𝑖𝑛ℎ2 𝑦 = 𝐶𝑜𝑠ℎ2𝑦
• Solving the two equations, we get
𝛼 𝑏
𝑞𝑎4 4+𝛼𝑚 𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ 𝑚
• 𝐴𝑚 = − [ 2
𝛼𝑚 𝑏 ]
𝐷 5 5
𝑚 𝜋 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ
2

𝑞𝑎4 2
• And 𝐶𝑚 = [ 5 5 𝛼𝑚 𝑏 ]
𝐷 𝑚 𝜋 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ
2

• Thus we get the solution for the deflection as

𝑞𝑎4 ∞ 1 α𝑚 𝑏
• w= σ [ {− 4 + α𝑚 𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ cos α𝑚 ℎ𝑦 +
π5 𝐷 𝑚=1,3,5 𝑚5 coshα𝑚 𝑏 2
2
4
• α𝑚 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ℎ𝑦} + ]𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥.
𝑚5

• Similarly expressions for bending moments are

as follows.
 𝑞𝑎2 ∞ 1
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = 3
σ𝑚=1,3,5[ 3 α𝑚 𝑏 {−(4 + (1 −
π 𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ
2
α𝑚 𝑏
υ)α𝑚 𝑏tanh )𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑦 + 2υα𝑚 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑦} +
2
4
3 ]𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 x
𝑚
𝑞𝑎2 ∞ 1
• And 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = 3
σ𝑚=1,3,5[ 3 α𝑚 𝑏 {−(4υ − (1 −
π 𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ
2
α𝑚 𝑏
υ)α𝑚 𝑏tanh )𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑦 + 2α𝑚 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑦} +
2
4υ
3 ]𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 x
𝑚
• (Verify these expressions)
• The maximum deflection and bending moments
occur at the centre of the plate
• This is at x=a/2 , y=0.
• The expression for max. deflection can be
written as follows.
(𝑚−1)
4𝑞𝑎4 −1 2
• 𝑤𝑚𝑎𝑥 = σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5
π5 𝐷 𝑚5
𝑚−1 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏
4𝑞𝑎4 ∞ −1 2 4
𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ 2
+1
• − 5
σ𝑚=1,3,5 α 𝑏
π 𝐷 𝑚5 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚 2
𝑚−1 α𝑚 𝑏 α 𝑏
5𝑞𝑎4 4𝑞𝑎4 ∞ −1 2 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ 𝑚 +1
4 2
• = −− σ
384𝐷 π5 𝐷 𝑚=1,3,5 𝑚5 α 𝑏
𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚2
• Thus the plate deflection can be taken as beam
deflection – error.
• Here for SS square plate, we can see that
𝑞𝑎4 4𝑞𝑎4
• 𝑤𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.013021 − 5 [0.685615 −
𝐷 π 𝐷
 𝑚−1
𝑚𝑎𝑥 υ𝑞𝑎2 ∞ −1 2
• 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = 3
σ𝑚=1,3,5 −
π 𝑚3
𝑚−1
𝑞𝑎2 ∞ −1 2 α𝑚 𝑏
3
σ𝑚=1,3,5 3 α𝑚 𝑏 [4υ − 1−υ α𝑚 𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑛 ]
π 𝑚 cosh 2
2
𝑚𝑎𝑥
• Now 𝑀𝑥𝑥 can be written as
𝑚−1
𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑞𝑎2 𝑞𝑎2 ∞ −1 2
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = − 3 σ𝑚=1,3,5 3 α𝑚 𝑏 [4 +
8 π 𝑚 cosh
2
α𝑚 𝑏
1−υ α𝑚 𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑛 ]
2
𝑚𝑎𝑥 υ𝑞𝑎2
• And 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = −
8
𝑚−1
𝑞𝑎2 −1 2 α𝑚 𝑏
• σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5 α 𝑏 [4υ − 1 − υ α𝑚 𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑛 ]
π3 𝑚3 cosh 𝑚 2
2
• Here also, we can see that(Square plate)
𝑚𝑎𝑥
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = 𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 − 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
• = 0.0479𝑞𝑎2
𝑚𝑎𝑥
• And 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = 𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 − 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
• = 0.0479𝑞𝑎2
• Here because of symmetry at the centre of the
square plate, 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = 𝑀𝑦𝑦 .
• Similarly the values can be obtained for aspect
ratios of the plate other than 1(for the square
plate)
• Next we will take other B.Cs for Levy’s method.
• 2) Rectangular Plate with one pair of
opposite SS edges and the other pair
Clamped
• The starting solution is the same as the first
case.
• 𝑤(𝑥, 𝑦) =
4𝑞𝑎4
σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5(𝐴𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐶𝑚 𝛼𝑚 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ𝛼𝑚 𝑦 + )𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼𝑚 𝑥
𝑚5 π5 𝐷
𝑏
• The boundary conditions on 𝑦 = ± is different
2
𝑏 𝜕𝑤
• At 𝑦 = ± , 𝑤= = 0.
2 𝜕𝑦
• Substituting the expression for deflection, we get the
following equations for boundary conditions.
 SS
Clamped

Clamped
a SS

b/2
b/2
 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 4𝑞𝑎4
• 𝐴𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ + 𝐶𝑚 sinh + 5 5 =0
2 2 2 𝑚 π 𝐷
α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏
• 𝐴𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ + 𝐶𝑚 sinh + cosh =0
2 2 2 2
• Solving the above equations, we get
2 𝛼𝑚 𝑏
4𝑞𝑎4 1 𝛼𝑚 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ
• 𝐴𝑚 = − 𝛼𝑚 𝑏 [ 2
+ 1]
𝐷 5 5
𝑚 𝜋 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝛼𝑚 𝑏+𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑏
2
𝛼𝑚 𝑏
4𝑞𝑎4 2𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ
• And 𝐶𝑚 = [ 2
]
𝐷𝑚5 𝜋5 𝛼𝑚 𝑏+𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑏
• Hence the expression for deflection is obtained
in the following form.
 𝛼 𝑏
4𝑞𝑎4 2𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ 𝑚
• 𝑤= σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5{
2
[α𝑚 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑦
𝐷𝜋5 𝛼𝑚 𝑏+𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑏

𝛼𝑚 𝑏 𝛼𝑚 𝑏 cosh α𝑚𝑦
• − tanh cosh α𝑚 𝑦] − 𝛼𝑚 𝑏 + 1}
2 2 cosh 2
𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥
•
𝑚5
• The maximum deflection occur at the centre of the
plate (x=a/2, y=0).
• The expression for maximum deflection can be written
as
5𝑞𝑎4
• 𝑤𝑚𝑎𝑥 = −
384𝐷
𝑚−1 𝛼 𝑏
4𝑞𝑎4 −1 2 2𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ 𝑚 1
σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5 [ 2
α𝑚 𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑏 + ]
𝐷𝜋5 𝑚5 𝛼𝑚 𝑏+𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑏 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑏
 𝑞𝑎4 4
• 𝑤𝑚𝑎𝑥= 0.01302 − 5 0.8499 − 0.0004217
𝐷 π
𝑞𝑎4
• = 0.001917 (Exact answer for a square
𝐷
plate)
• As far as moments are concerned, max +ve
moment occur at the centre of the
plate(x=a/2,y=0) and maximum –ve moments
occur at the centre of the fixed
edge(x=a/2,y=b/2).
• Now let’s discuss the moments for this problem.
• The moment expressions can be shown to be
as below.
 α 𝑏
4𝑞𝑎2 2𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑚
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5[(
2
){(1 − ν)α𝑚 𝑦
π3 α𝑚 𝑏+𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑏
α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏
• 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑦 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑦(2ν + 1 − ν 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ )} −
2 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥
(1 − ν) α 𝑏 + 1]
𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚 𝑚3
2
α 𝑏
4𝑞𝑎2 2𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑚
• 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5[(
2
){(ν − 1)α𝑚 𝑦
π3 α𝑚 𝑏+𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑏
α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏
• 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑦 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑦(2 − 1 − ν 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ )} + (1 −
2 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥
ν) α 𝑏 + ν]
𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚 𝑚3
2

• The maximum positive bending moments occur at

centre of the plate(x=a/2,y=0) while the maximum
negative moments occur at centre of the fixed
edge(x=a/2,y=b/2)
• The maximum +ve moment expressions are
given below.
α 𝑏
𝑞𝑎2 4𝑞𝑎2 2𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑚
𝑚𝑎𝑥
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = + σ∞
1,3,5[(
2
){−(2ν +
8 π3 α𝑚 𝑏+𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑏
𝑚−1
α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 1−𝜈 (−1) 2
• 1− ν) tanh )} − α 𝑏 ]
2 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚 𝑚3
2
α 𝑏
ν𝑞𝑎2 4𝑞𝑎2 2𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑚
𝑚𝑎𝑥
• 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = + σ∞
1,3,5[−(
2
){2 −
8 π3 α𝑚 𝑏+𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑏
𝑚−1
α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 1−𝜈 (−1) 2
• 1− ν) tanh )} + α𝑚 𝑏 ]
2 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚3
2
• Max. negative moment will be 𝑀𝑦𝑦 which
occurs at x=a/2,y=b/2 and is given by the
following expression
α𝑚 𝑏
ν𝑞𝑎2 4𝑞𝑎2 2𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ
𝑚𝑎𝑥
• 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = + σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5[−(
2
)
8 π3 α𝑚 𝑏+𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑏
𝑚−1
α𝑚 𝑏 (−1) 2
• 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ + (1 − ν)]
2 𝑚3
• Maximum +ve moments for a square plate
having Poisson’s ratio 0.3 are given as below.
𝑚𝑎𝑥 2 4
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = 𝑞𝑎 [0.0125 − 0.7829 − 0.00305+. ]
π3
• = 0.0244𝑞𝑎2
𝑚𝑎𝑥 2 4
• 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = 𝑞𝑎 [00375 − 0.03168 − 0.001328 ]
π3
• = 0.0336𝑞𝑎2
• And Max. –ve moment
𝑚𝑎𝑥 4𝑞𝑎2
• 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = 3 (−0.57229 + 0.03693 − 0.008)
π
2
• = −0.07𝑞𝑎
• 3) Rectangular plate with two opposite sides
SS, one edge clamped and other edge free
subjected to udl.
• Since the boundary conditions (along edges
y=constant) are not symmetrical about x axis,
we can use origin of coordinates at one the
corners as shown.
SS
Clamped
b
a
y Free x
SS

• The solution for deflection can be taken in the

• 𝑤 = σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5(𝐴𝑚 cosh α𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐵𝑚 sinh α𝑚 𝑦 +
4𝑞𝑎4
• 𝐶𝑚 α𝑚 𝑦 sinh α𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐷𝑚 α𝑚 𝑦𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑦 + 5 5 ) 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥
𝑚 π
• The constants 𝐴𝑚 , 𝐵𝑚 , 𝐶𝑚 and 𝐷𝑚 are now
determined by using the B.C along y=0 and
y=constant.
𝜕𝑤
• Along y=0, we have 𝑤 = =0
𝜕𝑦
• Along y=b, we have
• 𝑀𝑦 = 0 and 𝑉𝑦 = 0
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• (i.e) −𝐷 + υ 2 =0
𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥
𝜕3 𝑤 𝜕3 𝑤
• And −𝐷 + (2 − υ) 2 =0
𝜕𝑦 3 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
• Hence we get four equations for four constants.
• 4) When the origin of coordinates is at
centre of the plate.
SS SS

a/2

SS b/2
SS
y
x

• Assume that a udl is acting on the plate.

• Now the starting solution for the problem would be as
follows.
• 𝑤 = σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5(𝐴𝑚 cosh α𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐵𝑚 sinh α𝑚 𝑦 +
𝑚−1
4𝑞𝑎4
• 𝐶𝑚 α𝑚 𝑦 sinh α𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐷𝑚 α𝑚 𝑦𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑦 + (−1) 2 ) 𝑐𝑜𝑠α𝑚 𝑥
𝐷𝑚5 π5
• This means that in x direction simply supported
B.C are satisfied if cosine function is used,
when the origin of coordinates is at the centre
of the plate.
• Considering symmetry along y axis, we can say
that 𝐵𝑚 = 𝐷𝑚 = 0.
• Hence the solution form would be as follows.
• 𝑤 = σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5(𝐴𝑚 cosh α𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐶𝑚 α𝑚 𝑦sinhα𝑚 𝑦
𝑚−1
4𝑞𝑎4
• + (−1) 2 ) 𝑐𝑜𝑠α𝑚 𝑥
𝐷𝑚5 π5
• The constants 𝐴𝑚 and 𝐶𝑚 are determined using SS BC
𝑏 𝜕2 𝑤
along 𝑦 = ± namely 𝑤 = =0
2 𝜕𝑦 2

• Using the B.C, we get the constants as follows.

 𝛼 𝑏
𝑚−1
𝑞𝑎4 4+𝛼𝑚 𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ 𝑚
2
• 𝐴𝑚 = −(−1) 2 [ 𝛼𝑚 𝑏 ]
𝐷 5 5
𝑚 𝜋 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ
2
𝑚−1
𝑞𝑎4 2
• And 𝐶𝑚 = (−1) 2 [ 𝛼 𝑏 ]
𝐷 𝑚5 𝜋5 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚
2

• Hence the expression for deflection is obtained

as follows.
𝑞𝑎4 ∞ 1 α𝑚 𝑏
• w= σ [ {− 4 + α𝑚 𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ cos α𝑚 ℎ𝑦 +
π5 𝐷 𝑚=1,3,5 𝑚5 coshα𝑚 𝑏 2
2
𝑚−1
4
• α𝑚 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ℎ𝑦} + ](−1) 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠α𝑚 𝑥.
𝑚5
• Considering a square plate, we get the converged
max deflection value as(At centre, x=0,y=0)
𝑞𝑎4
• 𝑤𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.00406
𝐷
• 5) All edges SS plate subjected to end
moments
• Let’s consider a rectangular plate SS on all
edges subjected to distributed moments along
𝑏
𝑦 = ± as shown in the figure.
2

𝑀1 = 𝑓1 (𝑥)

𝑀2 = 𝑓2 (𝑥)

y
• The boundary conditions for the problem can be
written as
𝑎 𝜕2 𝑤
• a) Along 𝑥 =± , 𝑤= 2 =0
2 𝜕𝑥
𝑏
• b) Along y = ± , w=0
2
𝑏 𝜕2 𝑤
• c) Along y = − , −𝐷 2 = 𝑀1
2 𝜕𝑦
𝑏 𝜕2 𝑤
• d) Along y = , −𝐷 2 = 𝑀2
2 𝜕𝑦
• Where 𝑀1 and 𝑀2 are the applied moments
along the edges
• Now In general 𝑀1 ≠ 𝑀2
• But they can be split in to i) moments symmetric
about x axis and ii) moments antisymmetric
about x axis.
• Now since the applied udl=0, the general
solution for the homogeneous plate equation is
the solution for deflection.
σ ∞
• 𝑤 = 𝑚=1,3,5(𝐴𝑚 cosh α𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐵𝑚 sinh α𝑚 𝑦
• +𝐶𝑚 α𝑚 𝑦 sinh α𝑚 𝑦 + 𝐷𝑚 α𝑚 𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠 α𝑚 𝑦)𝑐𝑜𝑠α𝑚 𝑥
• If a plate is subjected symmetric edge
moments is considered,𝐵𝑚 and 𝐷𝑚 would be
zero.
• If it is anti-symmetric moment, then 𝐴𝑚 and 𝐶𝑚
would be zero.
 (𝑀1 +𝑀2 )
• Consider a symmetric moment 𝑀0 =
2
𝑏
acting along the edges 𝑦 = ± .
2
• Then 𝑀0 can be expanded in Fourier cosine
series as
• 𝑀0 = σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5 𝑓𝑚 cos α𝑚 𝑥
𝑎 𝑚−1
2 4𝑀0
• Now 𝑓𝑚 = 2
‫׬‬ 𝑎 𝑀0 cos α𝑚 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = (−1) 2
𝑎 − 𝑚π
2

• m=1,3,5…
• The solution for the present problem is
σ ∞
• 𝑤 = 𝑚=1,3,5(𝐴𝑚 cosh α𝑚 𝑦 +𝐶𝑚 α𝑚 𝑦 sinh α𝑚 𝑦)
• 𝑐𝑜𝑠α𝑚 𝑥
• The BCs for the present case are
𝑏 𝜕2 𝑤
• Along 𝑦 = ± w=0 and −𝐷 2 = 𝑀0 =
2 𝜕𝑦
σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5 𝑓𝑚 cos α𝑚 𝑥
• From the expression for w as a series shown
above, we can put in the BCs and get two
equations to solve for 𝐴𝑚 and 𝐶𝑚 .
• They are as follows.
α𝑚 𝑏 α 𝑏
𝑓𝑚 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ 𝑚 𝑓𝑚
2 2
• 𝐴𝑚 = 2 α𝑚 𝑏 and 𝐶𝑚 = − 2 α𝑚 𝑏
2𝐷α𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 2𝐷α𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ
2 2

• With this the expression for deflection is

obtained as below.
 𝑎2 ∞ 𝑓𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠α𝑚 𝑥 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏
• 𝑤= σ [ 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑦
2π2 𝐷 𝑚=1,3,5 𝑚2 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑏 2 2
2

• −α𝑚 𝑦sinhα𝑚 𝑦]
𝑚−1
4𝑀0
• We now can substitute 𝑓𝑚 = (−1) 2
𝑚π
• Hence we get the deflection as follows.
• 𝑤=
𝑚−1
2𝑀0 𝑎2 ∞ (−1) 2 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏
3
σ𝑚=1,3,5 α𝑚 𝑏 [ 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑦 −
π 𝐷 cosh 2 2
2

• α𝑚 𝑦sinhα𝑚 𝑦] 𝑐𝑜𝑠α𝑚 𝑥
• The above result is useful in solving the plate
problem using method of superposition.
 Method of Superposition
• This is a method to solve plates with arbitrary
boundary conditions.
• Consider a rectangular plate with one pair of
Opposite edges SS and the other pair fixed.
𝑎
• Let the plate be SS on the edges 𝑥 = ± and
2
𝑏
let it be fixed along the edges 𝑦 = ± where a
2
and b are the sides and the origin of
coordinates be at the centre of the plate.
• Let the plate be subjected to a udl of intensity q.
• The solution to this problem can be obtained
from two parts.
• In the first part, we consider the the plate to be
SS and subjected to udl.
• In the second, part we consider an all sided SS
plate subjected to bending moment applied
𝑏
along 𝑦 = ± , which when superposed on the
2
first part eliminates the rotation of the edges 𝑦 =
𝑏
± due to lateral loads .
2
• This is explained below.
• The solution for the first part(SS plate subjected
to udl) has already been done earlier and the
result is given by the following expression.
𝑞𝑎4 ∞ 1 α𝑚 𝑏
• 𝑤1 = σ [ {− 4 + α𝑚 𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ cos α𝑚 ℎ𝑦 +
π5 𝐷 𝑚=1,3,5 𝑚5 coshα𝑚 𝑏 2
2
𝑚−1
4
• α𝑚 𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ℎ𝑦} + ](−1) 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠α𝑚 𝑥.
𝑚5
𝑏
• The slope at the edges 𝑦 = ± is obtained as
2
𝑚−1
𝜕𝑤1 2𝑞𝑎3 (−1) 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠α𝑚 𝑥 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏
• = σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5 [ − 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ (1+ tan )]
𝜕𝑦 𝐷π4 𝑚4 2 2 2 2
• Next we consider the solution for the SS plate subjected to end
𝑏
moments along 𝑦 = ±
2
• The solution has been done earlier for this and the result is
given below.
 𝑎2 ∞ 𝑓𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠α𝑚 𝑥 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏
• 𝑤2 = σ [ 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑦
2π2 𝐷 𝑚=1,3,5 𝑚2 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑏 2 2
2

• −α𝑚 𝑦sinhα𝑚 𝑦]
𝑏
• Now, the slope along 𝑦 = ± is given by
2
𝜕𝑤2 −𝑎 𝑓𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠α𝑚 𝑥 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏
• = σ∞ [ + 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ (1 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ )]
𝜕𝑦 2π𝐷 𝑚=1,3,5 𝑚 2 2 2 2

𝜕𝑤1 𝜕𝑤2
• Now, we have the condition that + =0
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
𝑏
along 𝑦 = ± .
2
• From this condition, upon substituting the above
expressions, we get the expression for 𝑓𝑚 as
follows.
 𝑚−1 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏
4𝑞𝑎 2 −𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ (1+ 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ )
2 2 2 2
• 𝑓𝑚 = (−1) 2 [ ]
𝑚3 π3 α𝑚 𝑏+𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑏(1−α𝑚 𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎα𝑚 𝑏)
2 2 2 2

• Hence we get the expression for 𝑤2 as follows.

2𝑞𝑎4 ∞ 𝑐𝑜𝑠α𝑚 𝑥 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏
• 𝑤2 = σ [ 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑦
π5 𝐷 𝑚=1,3,5 𝑚2 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎα𝑚 𝑏 2 2
2

𝑚−1 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏 α𝑚 𝑏
1 −𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ (1+ 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ )
2 2 2 2
• −α𝑚 𝑦sinhα𝑚 𝑦] (−1) 2 [ ]
𝑚5 α𝑚 𝑏+𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ α𝑚 𝑏(1−α𝑚 𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ α𝑚 𝑏)
2 2 2 2

• The central deflection (x=y=0) for a square plate can

be computed as follows.
𝑞𝑎4 2
• 𝑤2 = −0.328592 + 0.0000339
𝐷 π5
𝑞𝑎4
• = −0.00214 (Upward deflection)
𝐷
• Now central deflection for an SS plate has
already been found earlier and is given by
𝑞𝑎4
• 𝑤1 = 0.004063
𝐷
• Hence central deflection ,w for the present case
𝑞𝑎4
is given by 𝑤 = 𝑤1 + 𝑤2 = 0.0019
𝐷
• The moment along the fixed edge is given as
• 𝑀0 = σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5 𝑓𝑚 cos α𝑚 𝑥 at x=0
• =
4𝑞𝑎 2
σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5 𝑓𝑚 = π3 [−0.57229 + 0.03608. . ]
2
• = −0.0692𝑞𝑎 (Obtained earlier)
 Semi-Infinite Rectangular Plate
subjected to udl
• We have discussed the cylindrical bending of
long rectangular plates earlier.
• There we took a strip of unit width
perpendicular to the length of the plate further
from the support.
• In some cases it is necessary to determine the
effect of support conditions on the short edge.
• In such a case the plate may be treated as a
semi-infinite plate as shown in the figure below.
 x

q
y

• A solution can be developed for such plates to

find the local effect of support near the short
edge.
• The coordinate axes is as shown in the figure.
• The longitudinal edges x=0 and x=a are simply
supported.
• Support y=0 can have any B.C.
• The deflected surface of such a plate can be
taken as 𝑤 = 𝑤0 + 𝑤1
• Where 𝑤0 is the homogeneous solution and
• 𝑤1 is the particular integral.
• Now the effect of boundary y=0 becomes
smaller and smaller as y tends to be large.
• Hence the following form of Levy’s solution is
taken for homogeneous solution 𝑤0 .
• 𝑤0 = σ∞
𝑚=1[ 𝐴𝑚 + 𝐶 α
𝑚 𝑚 𝑦 𝑒 −α𝑚 𝑦
]𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥
𝑚π
• Where α𝑚 = .
𝑎
• The solution satisfies the following conditions
𝜕2 𝑤
• i) The simply supported BC;𝑤 = =0
𝜕𝑥 2
• ii)The plate equation
• iii) The deflection and moment to be zero as y
tends to infinity.
• At sections farther away from the support y=0,
the plate will be under cylindrical bending.
• Thus the total solution for this problem would be
as given below.
 4𝑞𝑎4
• 𝑤= σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5[ 𝐴𝑚 + 𝐶𝑚 α𝑚 𝑦 𝑒 −α𝑚 𝑦 + ]𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥.
𝑚5 π5 𝐷
• The constants 𝐴𝑚 and 𝐶𝑚 are determined form
the B.Cs at y=0.
• Consider it as simply supported.
𝜕2 𝑤
• Hence at y=0, 𝑤 = =0
𝜕𝑦 2
• Using these conditions we get 𝐴𝑚 and 𝐶𝑚 as
4𝑞𝑎4 2𝑞𝑎4
• 𝐴𝑚 = − 5 5 and 𝐶𝑚 = − 5 5
𝐷𝑚 π 𝐷𝑚 π
• Hence we get the deflection as follows.
4𝑞𝑎4 ∞ 1 α𝑚 𝑦 −α 𝑦
• 𝑤= − 5 σ𝑚=1,3,5 5 [(1 + )𝑒 𝑚 − 1]𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥
𝐷π 𝑚 2
• At distances farther away from the side y=0, the
bending moment 𝑀𝑥𝑥 will be given by the beam
equation and 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = υ𝑀𝑥𝑥 .
• But B.M near the support would be different.
• Near the support, the B.M can be obtained from
the expression for deflection as given above.
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = −𝐷( 2 + υ 2)
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
4𝑞𝑎2 υ ∞ 1
• = 3
σ𝑚=1,3,5 3 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥
π 𝑚
4𝑞𝑎2 ∞ α𝑚 𝑦 𝑒 −α𝑚 𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥
• + 3 σ𝑚=1,3,5[ 1−υ − υ]
π 2 𝑚3
• Along x=a/2, the expression for B.M 𝑀𝑦𝑦 is as follows.
𝑚−1
υ𝑞𝑎2 4𝑞𝑎2 α𝑚 𝑦 𝑒 −α𝑚 𝑦 (−1) 2
• 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = + σ∞
𝑚=1,3[ 1 − υ − υ]
8 π3 2 𝑚3
• The first term of the above expression is the
using the series summation formula
𝑚−1
(−1) 2 π3
• σ∞
𝑚=1,3,5 =
𝑚3 32

• It can be seen that max. 𝑀𝑦𝑦 occurs along the

central line x=a/2 and as y tends to infinite, 𝑀𝑦𝑦
υ𝑞𝑎2
tends to .
8
 Bending Analysis of Continuous
Rectangular Plates
• If a rectangular plate is supported on more than
two supports, such a plate is called continuous
plate.
• Here we will consider rectangular plates which
are continuous only in one direction.
• Also we will assume that all extreme edges of
the plate are simply supported.
• Also supporting beams are rigid so that
deflection =0, but rotation is allowed(Thus
supporting beams also represent SS condition)
• Consider a three span SS rectangular plate with
width b and length 3a with its middle span
subjected to udl as shown in the following
figure. a
a a
1 2
Plate 1 Plate 2 Plate 3
x x x
b

1 2
y y y
q
• The bending of each span can be analysed
using Levy’s method by superposing laterally
loaded plates with plates subjected to end
moments.
• Since the structure and loading are symmetric,
it is only necessary to consider only one half the
plate(Hence only one intermediate support)
• Consider support 22.
• Now plate 2 will be subjected to lateral load q
and unknown bending moment along edge 22.
• Plate 3 will be subjected to only unknown
bending moment along edge 22.
• All edges are simply supported.
• Free Body Diagrams of Plates 2 and 3
Plate 2 Plate 3

b x
x
𝑀𝑥

y y

a a
• The deflection of the plate 2 considering the
lateral load q on the plate can be written as
follows.
𝑚−1
2𝑞𝑏4 ∞ (−1) 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠β𝑚 𝑦 1
• 𝑤2 = 5
σ𝑚=1,3 [ β𝑚 𝑎
𝐷π 𝑚5 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ
2
β𝑚 𝑎 β𝑚 𝑎
• β𝑚 𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎβ𝑚 𝑥 − 2 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ 𝑐𝑜𝑠β𝑚 𝑥} + 2]
2 2
• The slope along the edge x=a/2 can now be
determined from the above expression as
follows.
𝑚−1
𝜕𝑤2 2𝑞𝑏3 (−1) 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠β𝑚 𝑦 β𝑚 𝑎 β𝑚 𝑎
• (at x=a/2)= σ∞
𝑚=1,3 [ 2 β𝑚 𝑎
− 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ ]
𝜕𝑥 𝐷π4 𝑚4 2𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 2
2
 𝑎
• The variation of B.M 𝑀𝑥 along 𝑥 = ± can be
2
represented as follows.
𝑚−1
𝑎
• 𝑀𝑥 along 𝑥 = ± = σ∞
𝑚=1,3(−1) 2 𝐸𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠β𝑚 𝑦
2
• The deflection function for a plate subjected to edge
𝑎
moments along 𝑥 = ± can be written as
2
𝑚−1
𝑏2 ∞ (−1) 2 𝐸𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠β𝑚 𝑦 β𝑚 𝑎 β𝑚 𝑎
• 𝑤′2 = σ [ 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ
2π2 𝐷 𝑚=1,3,5 β 𝑎
𝑚2 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚 2 2
2

• 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎβ𝑚 𝑥 − β𝑚 𝑥sinhβ𝑚 𝑥]
• The slope along the edge x=a/2 due to edge moment
can be determined as follows.
 𝑚−1
𝜕𝑤′2 𝑏 (−1) 2 𝐸𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠β𝑚 𝑦
• (along x=a/2)= − σ∞
𝜕𝑥 2π𝐷 𝑚=1,3 𝑚
β𝑚 𝑎 β𝑚 𝑎
• [𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ + β 𝑎 ]
2 2𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ2 𝑚
2

• Now consider plate 3, which is subjected to

𝑎
moment 𝑀𝑥 along 𝑥 = − =
2
𝑚−1
σ∞
𝑚=1,3(−1) 2 𝐸𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠β𝑚 𝑦
• The deflection function for plate 3 can be
written as follows.
• 𝑤3 = σ∞𝑚=1,3,5 𝑐𝑜𝑠β𝑚 𝑦[𝐴𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎβ𝑚 x +
𝐵𝑚 sinh β𝑚 x + 𝐶𝑚 β𝑚 x𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎβ𝑚 x + 𝐷𝑚 β𝑚 x𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎβ𝑚 x]
• The constants 𝐴𝑚 , 𝐵𝑚 , 𝐶𝑚 and 𝐷𝑚 are
determined from the BCs below.(For Plate 3)
𝑎
• 𝑥= ± w=0
2
𝜕2 𝑤
• x=a/2, =0
𝜕𝑥 2
𝑚−1
𝜕2 𝑤
• x=-a/2, −𝐷 2 = σ∞
𝑚=1,3(−1) 2 𝐸𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠β𝑚 𝑦
𝜕𝑥
• Using the above BCs the constants 𝐴𝑚 , 𝐵𝑚 , 𝐶𝑚
and 𝐷𝑚 may be determined.
• Substituting back in the expression for
deflection , we get the following result.
 𝑚−1
𝑏2 ∞ (−1) 2 𝐸𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠β𝑚 𝑦 1
• 𝑤3 = σ [
4π2 𝐷 𝑚=1,3,5 𝑚2 β 𝑎
𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚
2
β𝑚 𝑎 β𝑚 𝑎
• tanh coshβ𝑚 𝑥 − β𝑚 𝑥sinhβ𝑚 𝑥 −
2 2
1 β𝑚 𝑎
β𝑚 𝑎 ( 2 𝑐𝑜𝑡ℎβ𝑚 𝑎sinhβ𝑚 𝑥 − β𝑚 𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎβ𝑚 𝑥)
𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ
2

• The corresponding slope along the edge x=-a/2

is given as below (for Plate 3).
𝑚−1
𝜕𝑤3 𝑎 𝑏 (−1) 2 𝐸𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠β𝑚 𝑦
• 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = − = σ∞
𝜕𝑥 2 4π𝐷 𝑚=1,3,5 𝑚2
β𝑚 𝑎 β𝑚 𝑎 β𝑚 𝑎 β𝑚 𝑎
• [𝑡𝑎𝑛 + 𝑐𝑜𝑡ℎ + β 𝑎 − β 𝑎 ]
2 2 2𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ2 𝑚 2𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ2 𝑚
2 2
• For determining the coefficient 𝐸𝑚 of the edge
moment distribution, we use the following slope
continuity conditions for plates 2 and 3.
𝜕𝑤2 𝜕𝑤 ′ 2 𝑎
•[ + ](𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒2)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕𝑤3 𝑎
• = (𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = − 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒3)
𝜕𝑥 2
• This gives the following equation for 𝐸𝑚
2𝑞𝑏3 1 β𝑚 𝑎 β𝑚 𝑎 𝑏 𝐸 β 𝑎 β𝑚 𝑎
• − 𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ − 2π𝐷 ( 𝑚𝑚 )[𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ 𝑚 + β𝑚 𝑎]
𝐷π4 𝑚4 2𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 2 β𝑚 𝑎 2 2 2
2𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 2
2

β 𝑎
•
𝑏 𝐸
= 4π𝐷 ( 𝑚𝑚 )[𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑚
2
+ 𝑐𝑜𝑡ℎ β𝑚2 𝑎 + β𝑚 𝑎
2 β𝑚 𝑎 − β𝑚 𝑎
2 β𝑚 𝑎]
2𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 2 2𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ 2

• Solving the above, we get 𝐸𝑚 as follows.

• 𝐸𝑚 =
β𝑚 𝑎 β𝑚 𝑎 2 β𝑚 𝑎
8𝑞𝑏2 2
−𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎ
2
𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ
2
π3 𝑚3 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ2 β𝑚 𝑎 3𝑡𝑎𝑛ℎβ𝑚 𝑎+𝑐𝑜𝑡ℎβ𝑚 𝑎 −β𝑚 𝑎(𝑐𝑜𝑡ℎ2 β𝑚 𝑎−3)
2 2 2 2 2

• Now the B.M along the support 22 can be found

out as
𝑚−1
• 𝑀𝑥 = σ∞
𝑚=1,3(−1) 2 𝐸𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠β𝑚 𝑦
• The maximum moment occurs at centre of the
support 22, y=0 and is given by
𝑚−1
• 𝑀𝑥 = σ∞
𝑚=1,3(−1) 2 𝐸𝑚
• Considering a square plate, we can see the
following expressions.
 8𝑞𝑎2 8𝑞𝑎2
• 𝐸1 = −0.1555 3 , 𝐸3 = −0.00924 3
π π
8𝑞𝑎2
• 𝐸5 = −0.002 3
π
• Hence B.M at the centre of the support 22 is
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 (At x=a/2, y=0)
8𝑞𝑎2 8𝑞𝑎2 8𝑞𝑎2
• = −0.1555 3 − 0.00924 3 −0.002 3
π π π
• = −0.0383𝑞𝑎2
• The maximum +ve B.M for plate 2 due to udl only is
given by 0.0479q𝑎2
• For the plate with end moments, the B.Ms at the
centre of the plate are 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = −0.0079𝑞𝑎2 and
• 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = −0.0127𝑞𝑎2
• Hence the final moments at the centre of Plate
2 are given below.
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = 0.0479q𝑎2 −0.0079𝑞𝑎2 = 0.04𝑞𝑎2
• 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = 0.0479q𝑎2 −0.0127𝑞𝑎2 = 0.035𝑞𝑎2
• Similarly B.M at the centre of Plate 3 can be
obtained.
• The above approach may be extended to the
case of more number of intermediate beams.
• Always, it is not possible to consider beam as
rigid.
• If the beams are flexible, then bending and
twisting rigidities are to be considered.
 Alternate Method for Plate
Analysis
• Our aim is to solve the Plate equation
• 𝐷𝛻 4 𝑤 = 𝑞
• This is a fourth order equation.
• Now this can be resolved in to two second
order equations.
• This is shown below.
• Now we have the moment curvature relations
for the plate as shown below.
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 = −𝐷 + υ 2 , 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = −𝐷 + υ 2
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥
• Adding the two we get the following equation.
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 + 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = −𝐷(1 + ν) +
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤 (𝑀𝑥𝑥 +𝑀𝑦𝑦 )
• (Or) + 2 =−
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 𝐷(1+ν)
(𝑀𝑥𝑥 +𝑀𝑦𝑦 )
• Now Let =𝑀
1+ν
𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤 𝑀 2 𝑀
• Then + = − (i.e.) 𝛻 𝑤 = −
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝐷 𝐷
• This can be substituted in the plate equation.
4 2 2 𝑞 2 𝑀 𝑞
• 𝛻 𝑤=𝛻 𝛻 𝑤= to get 𝛻 (− ) =
𝐷 𝐷 𝐷
• Thus we get 𝛻 2 𝑀 = −𝑞
• In this original plate equation can be resolved in
to two second order equations namely.
2 𝑀
• 𝛻 𝑤= − -----(1)
𝐷
• And 𝛻 2 𝑀 = −𝑞 -----(2)
(𝑀𝑥𝑥 +𝑀𝑦𝑦 )
• Here New variable 𝑀 =
(1+ν)
• The above equations can be sequentially
solved.
• First solve equation 2 for M and then put it on
the RHS of equation and solve for w.
• We know that plate problem is a BVP and
solution should satisfy BC also.
• Hence the boundary condition has to be
specified for w as well as M.
• For w , the usual BC applies.
• For M, we can see that BC depends on 𝑀𝑥𝑥
and 𝑀𝑦𝑦 .
• For simply supported conditions, we know that
both moments are zero at support. Hence M=0
at the support.
• Hence this method works mainly for simply
supported BC.
• Let’s consider two examples as follows.
 Simply Supported Ractangular
Plate
• Consider the simply supported rectangular plate
subjected to distributed load q.
• Then to proceed with the solution by the
alternate method, we can use Fourier series.
• Let 𝑀 = σ∞ σ∞
𝑚=1 𝑛=1 𝑀𝑚𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
• This satisfies the BC for M.
• Also, we know that 𝑞 =
σ∞ σ ∞
𝑚=1 𝑛=1 𝑞𝑚𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
• Then substituting in eqn. 2,w e get the following
 ∞ ∞ 2 2
σ σ
• 𝑚=1 𝑛=1 𝑀𝑚𝑛 (α 𝑚 + β 𝑛 )𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
• = σ∞ σ∞
𝑚=1 𝑛=1 𝑞𝑚𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
𝑞𝑚𝑛
• Hence 𝑀𝑚𝑛 =
(α2 +β2 )
𝑚 𝑛

• Now substituting this in first equation after

putting 𝑤 = σ∞ σ∞
𝑚=1 𝑛=1 𝑤𝑚𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦.
• We get the following solution for 𝑤𝑚𝑛
𝑀𝑚𝑛 𝑞𝑚𝑛
• 𝑤𝑚𝑛 = 2 2
= 2
α +β 𝐷 2 2
𝑚 𝑛 α +β 𝐷
𝑚 𝑛

• Hence the deflection surface is given by

𝑞𝑚𝑛
• 𝑤= σ∞ σ∞ 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛α 𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛β 𝑦
• This is the same as solution obtained by
Navier’s method.
• Now let’s consider an SS equilateral triangular
plate subjected to edge normal moments 𝑀𝑛 as
shown in the figure below.
•
B
ℎ
3
O x

ℎ
C 3

y h
 𝑎 3
• The side of the plate a. Then altitude h=
2
• Now applied load is in the form of edge moment
𝑀𝑛 on the edges.
• We can see that at the support,
• 𝑀𝑥𝑥 + 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = 𝑀𝑛 + 𝑀𝑡 (due to invariance
• property of curvature)
• Since 𝑀𝑡 = 0, we see that 𝑀𝑥𝑥 + 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = 𝑀𝑛 on the
boundary.
• Since applied distributed load q=0, we get the
equation 2 as 𝛻 2 𝑀 = 0
• This 2 is satisfied by taking 𝑀𝑥𝑥 + 𝑀𝑦𝑦 = 𝑀𝑛
throughout the plate.
 𝑀𝑛
• Thus we get 𝑀 = throughout the plate.
(1+ν)
• Thus equation 1 is written as follows.
2 𝑀𝑛
• 𝛻 𝑤= −
(1+ν)𝐷
• Thus we have to find deflection w satisfying the
above equation.
• We know that w=0 on the edges of the plate.
• Thus we can write the equations of the edges.
𝑥 𝑥
• Edge OA-- Equation is 𝑦 = (Or) (𝑦 − ) =0
3 3
𝑥 𝑥
• Edge OB-- Equation is = − (Or) (𝑦 + ) =0
3 3
• Edge AB--- Equation is x = h (Or) (x − ℎ) = 0
 𝑥 𝑥
• Let 𝑤 = 𝐶(𝑦 − ) (𝑦 + )(𝑥 − ℎ) where C is a
3 3
constant.
• The above function satisfies the support
conditions for w.(=0 on the edges)
2 𝑥2
• Hence w= 𝐶(𝑦 − )(𝑥 − ℎ)
3
2 2 𝑥3 𝑥2ℎ
• = 𝐶(𝑦 𝑥 − 𝑦 ℎ − + )
3 3
• Now substituting this in the equation
2 𝜕2 𝑤 𝜕2 𝑤 𝑀𝑛
• 𝛻 𝑤= + 2 = − , we get
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 (1+ν)𝐷
2ℎ 𝑀𝑛
• 𝐶(−2𝑥 + + 2𝑥 − 2ℎ) = −
3 (1+ν)𝐷
 3𝑀𝑛
• Thus we get 𝐶 =
4(1+ν)𝐷ℎ
𝑥3 𝑥2ℎ
• Thus w = 𝐶(𝑦 2 𝑥 − 𝑦 2 ℎ − + )
3 3
3𝑀𝑛 𝑥3 𝑥2ℎ
• = (𝑦 2 𝑥 −𝑦 ℎ 2
− + )
4(1+ν)𝐷ℎ 3 3
• Now deflection on x axis(y=0) will be
3𝑀𝑛 𝑥3 𝑥2ℎ
• w= (− + )
4(1+ν)𝐷ℎ 3 3
𝑑𝑤
• Maximum occurs when =0
𝑑𝑥
2𝑥ℎ 2ℎ
• This gives −𝑥 2 + = 0 Or x(𝑥 − ) =0
3 3
𝑴𝒏 𝒉𝟐
• Taking x=2h/3, we get 𝑤𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (At centroid)
𝟐𝟕 𝟏+𝝂 𝑫
 Analysis of a Clamped Elliptical
Plate
• Consider a clamped elliptical plate as shown in
the figure subjected to udl.
Clamped

a
x

y
• The semi major axis =a
• Semi minor axis =b
• The BCs here are
• Deflection, w=0 and normal slope =0
𝑥2 𝑦2
• Now let w(x,y)= + − 1)2 where C is a
𝐶( 2
𝑎 𝑏2
constant.
• We can see that both BCs will be satisfied
because equation of the boundary is
𝑥2 𝑦2
• + −1 =0
𝑎2 𝑏2
• Now the deflection should satisfy the plate
differential equation 𝐷𝛻 4 𝑤 = 𝑞.
𝑥4 𝑦4 𝑥2𝑦2 𝑥2 𝑦2
• Now w(x,y)= 𝐶( 4 + +1+ 2 2 2 −2 2 − 2 2)
𝑎 𝑏4 𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏
• Substituting in the differential equation, we get
24 24 16
• CD + + 2 2 =𝑞
𝑎4 𝑏 4 𝑎 𝑏
𝑞
• (Or), constant C= 24 24 16
+ + 𝐷
𝑎4 𝑏4 𝑎2 𝑏2

• Hence the deflection is given by

𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑞 𝑥2 𝑦2
• w(x,y)= 𝐶( 2 + − 1)2 = 24 24 16 ( 2 + − 1)2
𝑎 𝑏2 + + 𝐷 𝑎 𝑏2
𝑎4 𝑏4 𝑎2 𝑏2
𝑞
• Max. deflection =w(x=0,y=0) = 24 24 16
+ + 𝐷
𝑎4 𝑏4 𝑎2 𝑏2

• When a=b, we get a circle and max. deflection

𝑞𝑅 4
becomes(a=b=R), 𝑤𝑚𝑎𝑥 = .
64𝐷
 Method of Images
• For certain problems, the solution can be
obtained by arbitrary extension of the plate and
applying fictitious forces to create the the
desired deflection patterns.
• Consider a simply supported plate in the form of
an isosceles right triangle shown below.
P x -P
+P
a (a-ξ,a-η)
(ξ,η) (ξ,η)
a

z y
• The plate is subjected to a concentrated force
P.
• Here we replace the triangular plate by an
equivalent square plate up on which two loads
+P and –P are acting.
• The point of application of the fictitious load –P
is the mirror image point of the actual load with
respect to the diagonal.
• We can see that the deflection of the original
and equivalent plate are the same.
• Hence the solution for the given problem is
given as below.
• Deflection of the plate, w =𝑤1 + 𝑤2
• The deflection for downward load P is given by
4𝑃
𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 η
• 𝑤1 = σ∞
𝑚=1 σ
∞ 𝑎𝑏
𝑛=1 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
𝐷(α2𝑚 +β2𝑛 )2
• Here it is a square plate . Hence a=b
• Hence
4𝑃𝑎2 ∞ ∞ 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 η
• 𝑤1 = σ σ 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
π4 𝐷 𝑚=1 𝑛=1 𝐷(𝑚2 +𝑛2 )2
• Due to upward load P (image load whose location is
given by the coordinates (𝑎 − ξ, 𝑎 − η)), we have
• 𝑤2 =
4𝑃𝑎2 ∞ ∞ 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 (𝑎−ξ) 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 (𝑎−η)
− 4
σ𝑚=1 σ𝑛=1 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
π 𝐷 𝐷(𝑚2 +𝑛2 )2
• Hence the deflection w is given by
4𝑃𝑎2 ∞ ∞ 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 ξ 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 η
• 𝑤= 4
σ𝑚=1 σ𝑛=1 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
π 𝐷 𝐷(𝑚2 +𝑛2 )2
4𝑃𝑎2 ∞ ∞ 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 (𝑎−ξ) 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 (𝑎−η)
• − 4 σ𝑚=1 σ𝑛=1 𝑠𝑖𝑛α𝑚 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛β𝑛 𝑦
π 𝐷 𝐷(𝑚2 +𝑛2 )2
• Similar method may also be adopted for triangular
plates subjected to uniformly distributed load.