Large amplitude free flexural vibrations of thin plates of arbitrary shape

Abstract

A finite element formulation is developed for analyzing large amplitude free flexural vibrations of elastic plates of arbitrary shape. Stress distributions in the plates, deflection shape and nonlinear frequencies are determined from the analysis. Linearized stiffness equations of motion governing large amplitude oscillations of plates, quasi-linear geometrical stiffness matrix, solution procedures, and convergence characteristics are presented. The linearized geometrical stiffness matrix for an eighteen degrees-of-freedom conforming triangular plate element is evaluated by using a seven-point numerical integration. Nonlinear frequencies for square, rectangular, circular, rhombic, and isosceles triangular plates, with edges simply supported or clamped, are obtained and compared with available approximate continuum solutions. It demonstrates that the present formulation gives results entirely adequate for many engineering purposes.