Chapter 4 Plates Subjected to Transverse Loads

1. Equations of Plates
g
Assumptions
(1) At the boundary, the plates are assumed to move freely in the plane of the plate; thus the
reactive forces at the edges are normal to the plate.
(2) The deflections are assumed to be small in comparison with the thicness of the plate.
(!) The normal to the middle plane is assumed to remain straight and perpendicular to the
middle surface as plate is deformed ("ustified if the plate is thin in comparison with
lateral dimensions of the plate). Thus, the shear deformation is not considered.
(#) $trains in the middle plane is assumed negligible.
(%) The stress normal to the middle plane,
z

, is assumed e&ual to 'ero everywhere. Thus,

the thin plate is assumed to be a plane(stress problem.
)ig. #(1 *osition of middle plane
+et
, , and u v w
are the components of displacement of a point at a distance ' from the middle
plane. Then, these displacement components are e,pressed as
w
u z
x

(#(1a)
w
v z
y

(#(1b)
y
z
x
z
- 2 t
- 2 t
middle plane
in the ( plane x y
plate
x
1
( ) , w w x y
(#(1c)
)ig. #(2 .isplacement of a point
/t is obvious from )ig. #(2 that a micro(geometry relationship is adopted due to the assumption
of the small displacement theory in establishing 0&. (#(1a). )rom 0&s. (#(1a) and (#(1b), the
strain(curvature relationships can be readily derived.
2
2 x
u w w
z z
x x x x

_



,
+iewise
2
2 y
v w w
z z
y y y y

_



,
2 2 2
2
xy
v u w w w
z z z
x y x y x y x y

+

1
z

g
$train(stress or $tress(strain 2elationship
( )
( )
1
1
x x y
y y x
E
E




, y v
, z w
, x u
z
- 2 t
- 2 t
x
g
g
z
z
u
u
w
x

w
x

2
( )
( )
2
2
1
1
x x y
y y x
E
E

( ) ( )
2 2
2 2 2
2 2
2 2 2
2
1
1
2 1 1
x
y
xy xy xy
E w w
z
x y
E w w
z
y x
E E w
G z
x y

_
+


,
_
+


,

+ +
(#(2)
g
/n the linear elasticity, stresses are linearly proportional to the applied load.
)ig. #(! $tresses in plate element
3hen a stress is written with two subscripts such as

, the first subscript

indicates the
direction of the normal of the plane which the stress acts while the second subscript

represents
the direction of the stress. .ue to 4a,well5s reciprocal theorem, the magnitude of

is taen
e&ual to

; the direction of the stress is 61 degrees apart.

, 7 bending (transverse) shear stresses
xz yz

z
y
x
yx

yz

yy

xy

xz

xx

, 7 bending stresses
xx yy

, 7 in(plane (twisting) shear stresses
(parallel to middle plane)
xy yx

3
g
$tress 2esultants
)ig. #(# 2esisting moment and shear
The subscript convention for moment is similar to that applied to stresses. A moment
M

implies that the moment acts on a face whose normal is in the direction of

and the moment

produces stresses directing in the

direction. A positive moment produces sagging of the

middle plane and a positive bending shear directs toward the positive direction of the dependent
coordinate when observed at the positive end of the independent coordinate as shown in the right
side of )ig. #(#. The internal resisting moment shear are always measured with respect to a unit
width of the middle plane. The force(deformation relationships can be established by
incorporating the stress(deformation relationships given by 0&. (#(2)
( )
2 2
2
2 2
2 2 2
2 2
! 2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2
1

12 1
h h
h h x x
E w w
M zdz z dz
x y
Eh w w w w
D
x y x y

_
+


,
_ _
+ +


, ,

(#(!)
where
x
y
xy
M
M
z
q
x
M
yx
M
y
Q
y
M
x
Q
yx
M
x
M
M
x
Q
Q xy
M
+
+
y
Q
y
M
4
( )
2 !
2
2
1
1
12
h
h
z dz h I

( )
!
2
fle,ural rigidity of plate
12 1
Eh
D

+iewise,
2 2
2 2 y
w w
M D
y x

_
+


,
(#(#)
)ig. #(% Twisting moments at corner
/t should be noted that the positive direction for
xy
M
is reversed in the te,tboos
1
by Timosheno.
As a conse&uence, it becomes necessary in those boos to specify
xy yx
M M
.
( )
2 2
2
2 2
2 2
1
1
h h
h h xy yx xy
E w w
M M zdz z dz D
x y x y

+

(#(%)
2
2
h
h x xz
Q dz

(#(8)
2
2
h
h y yz
Q dz

(#(9)
1
Timosheno, $., and 3oinowsy(:rieger, $. (16%6). Theory of *lates and $hells, 4c;raw(<ill.
yx yx
M + +
xy xy
M +

g
0&uilibrium 0&uations
)ig. #(8 2esultant 4oment and $hear
1
z
F

1
y
x
x x y y
Q
Q
Q dx dy Q dy Q dy dx Q dx pdxdy
x y
_ _
+ + + +


,
,
1
y
x
Q
Q
p
x y

+ +

(#(=)
1 (ignoring 2nd order terms)
x axis
M

1
xy y
y
M M
dxdy dxdy Q dxdy
x y

+

1
xy y
y
M M
Q
x y

+

(#(6)
1
y axis
M

y
y
M
M dy dx
y

_
+

,
xy
xy
M
M dx dy
x

_
+

,
z
p
y
dx
dy
y
Q dx
x
M dy
x
Q dy
xy
M dy
yx
yx
M
M dy dx
y

_
+

,
yx
M dx
y
M dx
y
y
Q
Q dy dx
y

_
+

,
x
x
M
M dx dy
x

_
+

,
x
x
Q
Q dx dy
x

_
+

,
!
1
yx
x
x
M
M
Q
y x

+

(#(11)
)rom 0&s. (#(6) and (#(11), it follows
y xy
y
M M
Q
y x

+

(a)
yx xy
x x
x
M M
M M
Q
x y x y


+ +

(b)
$ubstituting 0&s. (a) and (b) into 0&. (#(=), gives
xy y xy
x
M M M
M
p
x x y y y x
_ _
+ + +


, ,
2 2
2
2 2
2
xy y
x
M M
M
p
x x y y

+ +

(#(11)
$ubstituting 0&s. (#(!) through (#(%) into 0&. (#(11), yields
( )
2 2 2 # 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2 1
w w w w w p
x x y x y y y x D

_ _
+ +


, ,
# # #
# 2 2 #
2
w w w p
x x y y D

+ +

(#(12a)
or
#
p
w
D
(#(12b)
where
D>plate fle,ural rigidity which is constant for isotropic plates.
$o, the problem of bending of a plate sub"ected to transverse load p reduces to the #
th
order
partial differential e&uation given by 0&. (#(12).
)rom 0&. (b),
"
( )
2 2 2
2 2
1
xy
x
x
M
M w w w
Q D D
x y x x y y x y

_
+ +


,
( )
2 2
2
2 2 x
w w
Q D D w
x x y x
_
+


,
(#(1!)
+iewise,
( )
2 2
2
2 2 y
w w
Q D D w
y x y y
_
+


,
(#(1#)
/t should be noted that all bending moments and shearing forces are measured per unit width of
the plate.
g
?oundary @onditions
$ee Timo A*lates and $hells,B pp. =!.
#
admits only two boundary condition on each edge.
p
w
D

(1) ?uilt(in ()i,ed or @lamped) edge
1, 1 at
1, 1 at
w
w x a
x
w
w y b
y

(#(1%)
(2) $imply supported edge
symbol
plan
elevation, side
symbol
plan
side
#
2 2 2
2 2 2
2
2
1, 1 1 at
1 at *oissonCs ratio is not involved
x
w w w w
w M x a
y y x y
w
x a
x

(#(18)
(!) )ree edge
1
1 nown to be *oissonCs condition
1
x
xy
x
M
M
Q

(#(19a)
+ater on :irchhoff proved that three boundary conditions are too many and that two conditions
are necessary and sufficient for the complete determination of the deflection satisfying the plate
governing e&uation. They are
1 at
1 at
x
x
M x a
R x a


(#(19b)
)ig. #(9 0&uivalent force system
:irchhoff5s reason for 0&. (#(19b) is as follows7
symbol
plan or side
(1) (2)
xy
M
dy
dy
xy

xy
xy
M
M dy
y

$
According to $t. Denant5s principle, the in(plane shear stresses from the twisting moment shown
on the left side of )ig. #(9 can be replaced by two vertical forces producing the same twisting
moment (counter(cloc(wise) as shown on the right side of )ig. #(9. At the "uncture of two
ad"acent infinitesimal elements, there is a left(over downward vertical force
xy
x
M
Q
y

$ince the positive shear,

x
Q
, directs downward at
x a
,
x
Q

is oriented in the same direction,
thus the positive sign. :irchhoff called
1
the sum of and
x x
Q Q

reaction. <ence,
xy
x x x x
M
R Q Q Q
y

+ +

$ubstituting 0&. (#(1!) for

x
Q
and 0&. (#(%) for
xy
M
, gives
( )
2 2 2
2 2 2
1
x
w w w
R D D
x x y x y

_ _
+


, ,
( )
2 2
2 2
2
x
w w
R D
x x y

1
+
1

]
(#(1=)
( )
2 2
2 2
2
y
w w
R D
y y x

1
+
1

]
(#(16)
Eote that :irchhoff boundary conditions at free edge call for
( )
! !
! 2
1 2
x
x a
w w
R
x x y

+

and
2 2 2
2 2 2
1 1, in general 1 at free edge
x
w w w
M
x y y

+

1
/n the plate structure, the definition of the reaction , Rx, at the support is the sum of Qx and Qx per unit width in the
direction of the y a,is. /n the framed structure, the definition of the vertical reaction is the negative of the sum of
all vertical shears at the support point.
1%
/f shear deformation is considered, the plate e&uation will be 8
th
order partial differential
e&uation with two independent variables which allows three boundary conditions on each edge.
0ric 2eissner derived plate e&uation considering shear deformation.
g
@orner effect
@onsider a simply supported rectangular plate ( a b ) sub"ected to a positive (downward)
transverse load. At the corner,
, x a y b
,
1 and 1
w w
x y

< <

because the plate deflects
downward. )urthermore, as the deflection increases toward the center of the plate (conve,
downward), one sees that
2 x a dx x a dx
w w
x x


>

. Therefore, the twisting moment at the corner is
( )
2
2
1
1 1
xy
x a dx x a dx
w w w
M D
x y y x x

_
<


,
. <ence, it can be concluded that both
,
xy
x a y b
M

and
,
yx
x a y b
M

is negative. The e&uivalent force couples are shown in )ig. #(=. /t is
seen in )ig. #(= that there is a net corner concentrated reaction of two times the twisting moment.
Eote that the unit of the twisting moment is force times length per unit length. <ence, it has the
dimension of a force. As the concentrated reaction at the corner is downward, the rectangular
plate has tendency of curling upward at the corner. This phenomenon can be readily
demonstrated at least in &ualitative sense.
11
)ig. #(= @orner reaction
2
xy
R M
12
13
14
1
2. C&lindrical 'endin( of Plates )*nfinitel& Lon( Plates or +ne,-a& Slabs.
@onsider an isotropic and homogeneous rectangular slab of dimensions a and b sub"ected to a
uniformly distributed transverse load of w. /f 2 a b , how much load will be carried by two(way
actionF 3ill the design of the slab incorporating the two(way action be "ustifiedF +et the load
carried by the fle,ure in the long direction be
a
w
and that carried in the short direction be
b
w
.
The ma,imum deflection, , at the center of each fictitious beam of unit width must be the same
for continuity. /f the boundary conditions are the same around the edges, either simple or
clamped, the deflections are
$imple7
# #
% %
!=# !=#
a b
a b
w a w b
EI EI

@lamped7
# #
!=# !=#
a b
a b
w a w b
EI EI

$ince
a b
I I
, it follows
#
#
#
1 1
8.2%G of
2 18
a
a b
b
w b
w w
w a
_


,
g
Hne(way $lab
)ig. #(6 @ylindrical bending of plates
As the independent variable y vanishes in cylindrical bending, the governing e&uation becomes
( )
q x
a
y
x
1!
# # #
# 2 2 #
2
w w w
x x y y

+ +

( ) p x
D

<ence,
( )
( )
# #
# #
#
#
for cylindrical bending of plates
for beams
p x
w d w
x dx D
p x d w
dx EI

(#(21)

A plate strip is constrained in the lateral direction while
the beam section is free to deform laterally as shown.
( )
( )
1
1
1
x x y
y y x y x
E
E




<ence,
2
1
x x
E

)ormulas describing the fle,ural action of a beam can be used for cylindrical bending provided
that EI is replaced by D.
2 2
2 2
2
2
!
!
1
x
y
xy yx
x x
w d w
M D D
x dx
d w
M D
dy
M M
d w
V Q D
dx

1"
T
C
beam
C
plate
strip
T
1
y y
V Q
# # ! 2
1 1
1 2 ! # #
#
2
2
1 1
1 1
# ! !
1 1
1 ! !
2# 8 2
1 at ,>1 1
1 at 1 1
1 at 1
2 2
1 at 1
2# 8 2#
q q x d w x x
w c c c x c
dx D D
w c
w x c
q a q a
w x a c a c
D D
q a q a a
w x a c c a c
D D
+ + + +


+
+ +
( )
# ! ! 1
2
2#
q
w x ax a x
D
+
( )
( )
1
2 1
2
2
2
x
x
q
Q x a
q
M x ax


( )
( )
sin
sin
n n
n n
q x q
w x w

#
#
#
sin
n n n
d w q
w x
dx D
sin
n
n
q
x
D

( )
# #
# # # #
sin
n n
n n
q q a a
w w x x
D n D n




0,ample
w
( )
1
q x q
x
a
?@
1, 1 at 1 w w x

1, 1 at w w x a

a
1
q
n
a

odd function
1#
( )
1
1 1 1
1 1 1
1
# 2 2 2 2
sin sin sin cos
a
a a
n n n
q n x a n x
q f x xdx q xdx q dx q
a a a a n a n



_


,

l
l
( ) ( )
1
# 1
sin with 1, !, %, 1 for even
n n
q
q x x n q n
n

( )
#
1
% %
# 1
sin with 1, !, %
n
q a
w x x n
D n

2
1
! !
1
2 2
# 1
sin
# 1
cos
x n
x n
q a
M x
n
q a
Q x
n

@omparison of )ourier series values with e,act solutions at

2
a
x .
0,act solutions7
1
2
# 2
1 1 1
2
%
, ,
!=# = 2
a x
x
a
x x
x
q a q a q a
M Q
D

by )ourier series
(a) .eflection
( ) ( )
# # #
1 1 1
%
2
# # %.116! 1
1 % vs %.116! for "ust 1 term fast converging
1 !18.1169 !=#
a
x
q a q a q a
w
D D

(b) 4oment
( ) ( ) ( )
2 2 2
1 1 1
! !
# # 1.1!2 1
sin 1 1 1 vs 1.1!2 for "ust 1 terms
!1.118! =
x n
q a q a q a
M x
n

(c) $hear
( )
1 1
1 2 2
# # 1 1.=118
cos 1 vs 1.=118 slow converging
6.=868 2
x n
q a q a
Q x q a
n

/t is always the case that the discrepancy of the appro,imate method is much more pronounced in
the &uantities re&uiring higher order derivatives.
1$
<.3.I8
The above simply supported plate at 1 and x x a and of infinite length in the y(direction is
sub"ected to the following loadings which vary in the , direction only7
.evelop the general deflection e&uations for the loadings (a), (b), and (c) using integration
method and )ourier series. 0valuate
x
Q
at 1 and x x a and
x
M
at - 2 x a . @ompare both
methods using 1 n in )ourier series. .iscuss the problem.
( )
q x
a
y
x
1
q
( )
1
sin
x
q x q
a

x
x
x
1
q
c
b
( )
a
( )
b
( )
c
2%
g
?oth 0nds <inged @ylindrical *late $trips
$ee Timo *lates and $hells, pp. 8 for further details.
)ig. #(11 ?oth ends pinned cylindrical plate strip
/f the thicness of the plate becomes too thin as can be found in the tent fabric, it can only carry
the transverse load by the membrane action provided the boundary conditions are arranged in a
manner to develop the membrane (in(plane) force. )re&uently, ordinary fle,ural members are
restrained in such a manner to eliminate unintended in(plane forces that might be caused by the
temperature gradient. <owever, metallic sins that can be found in aircraft fuselages and
football stadium scoreboards must be securely fastened to not be blown away. Assuming the
small displacement theory is applicable, the moment is e,pressed
2 2
2
2 2
x
d w q qx
M D x w
dx
_


,
l
where $ is an a,ial force.
<ence, the differential e&uation becomes
2 2
2
2 2
d w q x qx
w
dx D D D
+
l
(#(21)
+et
2
2
#

u
D

l
, then
2
2
2 u
!
D
_


,
l
, where
2u
!
l
(#(22)
x
z
w
l

2
ql
2
ql
21
q
2 2
2
2
2 2
d w q x qx
! w
dx D D
+
l
(#(2!)
Assume the homogeneous solution to be of the form
"x
w #
( ) ( )
2 2 2
, 1 real roots
"x "x "x
w "# w " # # " ! " ! t
1 2 1 2
2 2
sinh cosh sinh cosh
!x !x
h
u u
w $# %# c !x c !x c x c x

+ + +
l l
Assume the particular solution to be of the form
2
1 2 ! p
w b x b x b + +
1 2 1
2 , 2
p p
w b x b w b

+
$ubstituting these derivatives into
2
2
2 2
p p
q x qx
w ! w
D D

+
l
, gives
2
2 2 2 2
1 1 2 !
2
2 2
q x qx
b ! b x ! b x ! b
D D
+
l
@ollecting lie terms, yields
2
1 2
!
2 2
#
! #
=
=
18
q
b
Du
q
b
Du
q
b
Du

l
l
l
! 2 #
2
1 2 2 2 #
2 2
sinh cosh
= = 18
u u q q q
w c x c x x x
Du Du Du
+ +
l l l
l l
(#(2#)
$ince the deflections of the strip at the ends are 'ero,
# #
1 2 # #
1 cosh 2
1 at 1 and ,
18 sinh 2 18
q u q
w x x a c c
Du u Du

l l
22
Eow, the e,pression for the deflection becomes
# ! 2
2
# 2 2
1 cosh 2 2 2
sinh cosh 1
18 sinh 2 = =
q u u u q q
w x x x x
Du u Du Du
_
+ +

,
l l l
l l
(#(2%)
0&. (#(2%) can be simplified further by recogni'ing the following identities7
2 2
2 2
cosh 2 cosh sinh
sinh 2 2sinh cosh
cosh 1 sinh
u u u
u u u
u u
+

+
( )
# 2
# 2
2 2
sinh sinh cosh cosh
1 1
18 cosh =
ux ux
u u
q q x
w x
Du u Du
_
+

+


,
l l
l l
(#(28)
or
( )
# 2
# 2
2
cosh 1
1 1
18 cosh =
x
u
q q x
w x
Du u Du
1 _

1
, ]
+
' )



l l l
(#(29)
/t can be seen from 0&. (#(29) that the vertical deflection is a function of the a,ial force $ in
addition to the transverse load &. As the ends of the strip do not move along the , a,is, the
elongation of the strip produced by the membrane force $ is e&ual to the difference between the
length of the arc along the deflected curve and the span lengthl .
0,tension of the strip arc length
x
l l l
( )
( )
( )
( )
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
x x y
y y x y x
x x
x
E
E
E

$ h

23
( )
( )
2
2
1
1
1
x

E h Eh

_


,
l
l l l (#(2=)
( )
1
2
1
2 2 ! 2
2
2 2
1 1 1
1 1 1
2 8 2
dw dw dw dw
ds dx dw dx dx dx
dx dx dx dx
1 1 1
_ _ _ _
+ + + + +
1 1 1

, , , ,
1 1 1
] ] ]
B
2 2
1 1 1
1 1
1
2 2
dw dw
s ds dx dx
dx dx
1
_ _
+ +
1

, ,
1
]

l l l
l
( )
2 2
1
2 9 2
2 9 8 8 #
1
1
2
% tanh 1 tanh % 1

2%8 2%8 2%8 !=#

dw
s s dx
Eh dx
q u u
D u u u u

_


,
_
+ +

,

l l
l l
l
(#(26)
$ubstituting
2 2
# - u D l into 0&. (#(26), gives
( )
2 = 2
2 6 = = 8
2 2 =
1!% tanh 29 tanh 1!% 6
18 18 18 =
1
E h u u
u u u u
q
+ +
l
(#(!1)
)or a given material, a given ratio of - h l , and a given load
q
, the left(hand side of 0&. (#(!1)
can be computed. and the value of u can now be evaluated readily by any one of the symbolic
computer programs, such as 4aple
J
.
0,ample
@onsider a long rectangular steel plate %1 inches wide and K in. thic is sub"ected to a uniformly
distributed load of 21 psi. .etermine the membrane stress and the ma,imum bending stress.
( )
( )
( ) ( ) ( )
=
2
2 =
!
2 2
2 =
2 2 = 2
!1, 111, 111 1.%
1.2919 11
1 1 1.! 21 %1
E h
q

l
dw
ds
24
dx
)rom 4aple
J
, u is computed as !.96!= (cf Timo graphical solution of !.96%).
( )
( )
( )
2 2
2 2
2 2 2
!1, 111, 111 !.96!= # 1.%
%1 ! 1 ! 1 1.!
"
u D Eu h
h h

_ _


, ,
l l
1%,=18 psi (vs 1%,=!1 psi)
2
2
-2
=26.# I(in.
x
x
d w
M D
dx

_


,
l
from 4aple
J
( )
2
=26.#
16, 618 psi vs 16,6!1 psi
1.% - 8
x
b
x
M

ma,
!%, 922 psi
" b
+
ma,
- 2
1.8=% in. (vs 1.== in.)
x
w


l
Therefore, it can be concluded that the graphical method presented by Timosheno and
3oinowsy(:rieger is fairly accurate.
/f this was conventional cylindrical bending of plate strip, the ma,imum moment would have
been
2
8, 2%1 I(in.
=
x
q
M
l
and the corresponding ma,imum bending stress would have been
2
8, 2%1
1%1, 111 psi (1%1 si)
1.% - 8
b
x
M

, some 9.% times higher that the previous value. Hne
should pay attention to the connection detailL )astener spacing is generally recommended to be
three times the fastener diameter. There are no fasteners large and strong enough to
accommodate this loadL The allowable single shear capacity of A#61(M,
1 1-2
, is 88.! ips
which is less than ( ) ( ) ! 1.% 1%.=18 91.19 ips
.
2
3. Si/pl& Supported 0ectan(ular Plates under Sinusoidal Loads
(2ef. Timosheno, *lates and $hells, pp. 11%)
The loading function, p, of a rectangular plate of dimensions a and b with the ma,imum
intensity,
1
q
, is give by
sin sin
&
x y
p q
a b

(#(!1)
<ence, the plate governing .0 becomes
# 1
sin sin
x y
q p
w
D D
with
x
x
a

and
y
y
b

?oundary conditions to be satisfied are
a)
2
2
1 and 1 at 1, a
w
w x
x

b)
2
2
1 and 1 at 1, b
w
w y
y

/f one assumes the solution to be

sin sin
x y
w c
, it satisfies the boundary conditions.
2 !
2 !
2 !
cos sin , sin sin , cos sin
w x y w x y w x y
c c c
x a a b x a a b x a a b
_ _



, ,
# 2
# 2
# 2
sin sin , sin cos , sin sin
w x y w x y w x y
c c c
x a a b y b a b y b a b
_ _ _



, , ,
! # 2
! # !
! # 2
sin cos , sin sin , sin cos
w x y w x y w x y
c c c
y b a b y b a b x y a b a b
_ _ _ _



, , , ,
2 2
#
2 2
sin sin
w x y
c
x y a b a b
_ _ _ _

, , , ,
$ubstituting these partial derivatives into the ;.0, yields
2!
# 2 2 #
2 sin sin
x y
c
a a b b a b

1
_ _ _ _
+ +
1

, , , ,
1
]
sin sin
&
q x y
D a b

.
<ence,
2 #
2 2
1
1 1
&
q
c
D
a b

_
+

,

and, finally
2 #
2 2
1
sin sin
1 1
&
q x y
w
D a b
a b

_
+

,
(#(!2)
2 2
1
2 2 2 2 2
2
2 2
1
sin sin
1 1
x
q w w x y
M D
x y a b a b
a b

_ _
+ +


,
_ ,
+

,
2 2
1
2 2 2 2 2
2
2 2
1
sin sin
1 1
y
q w w x y
M D
y x a b a b
a b

_ _
+ +


,
_ ,
+

,
( )
( )
2
1
2
2
2 2
1
1 cos cos
1 1
xy
q w x y
M D
x y a b
ab
a b

_
+

,
)ig. #(11 Dariation of
xy
M
The ma,imum deflection w and bending moments,
and
x y
M M
occur at
- 2 and - 2 x a y b
.
y
x
- 2 b
+

2"
1
2 2 2
2 2
1 2
sin
1 1
xy
x x
a
x a
M
q y
R Q
y a b b
a
a a

_ _
+ +

,
_ ,
+

,
1
2 2 2
2 2
2 1
sin
1 1
yx
y y
a
y b
M
q x
R Q
x a b a
a
a a

_ _
+ +

,
_ ,
+

,
Eote the (() sign in the reaction e&uations indicates that
and
x y
R R
are upward( )

.
( )
1
2
,
2
2 2
2 1
2
1 1
xy
x a y b
q
R M
ab
a b

_
+

,
)ig. #(12
The sum of distributed reactions is
( ) ( )
1 1
1 2 2 2
1 1
2 2
2 2 2 2
= 1 = 1 #
2 2 #
1 1 1 1
y b x a
t&ta' x y
y x
q q ab
R R dy R dx R q
ab ab
a b a b

_
+ + +

,
_ _
+ +

, ,

( )
1
1 1
1
1 1 2
1
1 1
Applied +oad sin sin
#
cos sin 1 1 cos
a b
b a
a
y x
q dxdy
b a
q ab b y x b a x
q dx q
b a a

_ _


, ,

@hecs e&uilibrium.
y
a
R
x
b
R
R
R
2#
4. 1avier Solution
(2ef. Timosheno, *lates and $hells, pp. 11=)
;ood for any rectangular plates simply supported on all four sides sub"ected to any loading,
( ) , f x y
(
)ig. #(1!
Any loads, ( ) , f x y
, can be e,panded by double trig series ()ourier series, odd function for the
above coordinate system ).
+et ( ) , f x y
1 1
sin sin
"n
" n
" x n y
a
a b

(#(!!)
4ultiplying first each side of 0&. (#(!!) by sin
n y
b

and integrating from
1 to y y b
, gives
( )
1 1
1 1
, sin sin sin sin
b b
"n
" n
n y " x n y n y
f x y dy a dy
b a b b

2ecall the identity
1
1 for
sin sin
- 2 for
b n n
n y n y
dy
b n n b b

'

Therefore,
( )
1
1
, sin sin
2
b
"n
"
n y b " x
f x y dy a
b a

(#(!#)
y
a
b
x
2$
Ee,t, multiplying each side of 0&. (#(!#) by sin
" x
a

and integrating from 1 to x x a ,
yields
( )
1 1 1
1
, sin sin sin sin
2 #
a b a
"n "n
"
" x n y b " x " x ab
f x y dx dy a dx a
a b a a

$ince and " n are arbitrary,
( )
1 1
#
, sin sin
a b
"n
" x n y
a f x y dxdy
ab a b

(#(!%)
Assume the solution to be of the form
1 1
sin sin
"n
" n
" x n y
w b
a b

. /t satisfies all boundary

conditions (the origin of the coordinate must be at the corner of the plateodd function).
$ubstituting partial derivatives of the assumed solution into the
;.0,
( )
# # #
# 2 2 #
,
2
p x y w w w
x x y y D

+ +

, yields
# 2 2 #
#
1 1 1 1
1
2 sin sin sin sin
"n "n
" n " n
" " n n " x n y " x n y
b a
a a b b a b D a b

1
_ _ _ _
+ +
1 ' )

, , , ,
1
]

2
2 2
#
1 1
sin sin 1
"n
"n
" n
a " n " x n y
b
a b D a b

1
_ _
+
1 ' )

, ,
1
]

2
2 2
#
"n
"n
a
b
" n
D
a b

1
_ _
+
1

, ,
1
]
(#(!8)
$ubstituting
"n
b
bac to the assumed solution function, gives
2 #
2 2
1 1
1
sin sin
"n
" n
a " x n y
w
D a b
" n
a b

1
_ _
+
1

, ,
1
]

(#(!9)
3%
g
.evelop the coefficients,
"n
a
, in the double series e&uation for7
1. patch loading,
2. uniform loading, and
!. concentrated load.
1. *atch loading
+et the general loading function to be
( ) , sin sin , where - , -
"n
n "
q x y a x y " n s

l
4ultiplying both sides by
C C
sin and sin and integrating, gives x y
( )
C C
1 1
, sin and sin
s
q x y x ydxdy

l
C C
1 1
sin sin sin sin
s
"n
a x x y ydxdy

l
, where
C C C C
- , - " n s l (#(!=)
2ecall trigonometric identities
C
C
C
1
1
sin sin
- 2
x xdx

'

l
l

C
C
C
1
1
sin sin
- 2
s
x xdx
s

'

Then 0&. (#(!=) becomes

( )
C C
1 1
, sin sin
#
s
"n
s
q x y x ydxdy a

l
l
where
C C
and
( )
1 1
#
, sin and sin
s
"n
a q x y x ydxdy
s


l
l
(#(!6)
0&. (#(!6) is the general e&uation.
3hen the total load ) is uniformly distributed over the area of the hatched rectangle shown in
)ig. #(1#, the uniform load intensity becomes
( )
1
,
)
q x y p
uv

31
)ig. #(1#
- 2 - 2
- 2 - 2
#
sin sin
u v
"n
u v
) " x n y
a dxdy
s uv s



+ +

l l
let [ ]
- 2 - 2
1
- 2 - 2
- 2
# #
sin cos sin
- 2
u u
u u
v
) " x s n y ) " x
I dx I dx
v s uv n s s uv

+ +

+ 1
_

1

,
]

l l l l
where
( ) ( )
1
cos - 2 cos - 2
s n n
I v v
n s s

1
+
1
]
cos cos sin sin cos cos sin sin
2 2 2 2
s n nv n nv n nv n nv
n s s s s s s s s

_


,
2
sin sin
2
s n n v
n s s

then,
- 2
2
-2
= =
sin sin sin sin sin
2 2
u
u
) n n v " x ) n n v
I dx I
uvn s s uvn s s

l l l
.
where
( ) ( )
- 2
2
- 2
- 2
sin cos cos - 2 cos - 2
- 2
u
u
u
" x " x " "
I dx u u
u " "

+
1
+
1

l l
l l l l
cos cos sin sin cos cos sin sin
2 2 2 2
" " u " " u " " u " " u
"

_


,
l
l l l l l l l l
y
u
s
v
l

32
2
sin sin
2
" " u
"

l
l l
then,
= 2
sin sin sin sin
2 2
"n
) n n v " " u
I a
uvn s s "



l
l l l
. <ence,
1
2 2
18 18
sin sin sin sin sin sin sin sin
2 2 2 2
"n
p ) " n " u n v " n " u n v
a
"nuv s s "n s s



l l l l
(#(#1)
with
, 1, 2, !,... " n
2. Nniform loading
)ig. #(1%
Nniform loading shown in )ig. #(1% is a special case of patch loading. /n this case >l -2,
*s-2, u>l , and v*s.
( )
1
, q x y q
over the entire area of s l .
<ence, taing advantage of the previous computation, one can get the load coefficient by simply
substituting corresponding variables,

>l -2, *s-2, u>l , and v*s, into 0&. (#(#1).

2
18
sin sin sin sin
2 2
"n
) " n " u n v
a
"nuv s s

l l
2
18
2 2
sin sin sin sin
2 2
s
" n
) " n s
"n s s s

l
l
l l l
( ) ( )
2 2
2 2 2
18 18 18 1 1
sin sin 1 cos 1 cos
2 2 2 2
& &
) " n
q q " n
"n s "n "n




l
x
y
s
l
33
2
18
for m,n > 1,!,%, , ,
1 for m,n > 2,#,8, , ,
&
q
"n

'

(#(#1)
!. @oncentrated load
)ig. #(18
This case is also considered to be a special case of patch loading. As there can be no absolute
concentrated load (as a point does not have a contact area, the contact stress becomes infinitely
large which forces the tip to be marred producing a finite contact area), the concentrated load )
can be e,pressed as
( )
1 1
, limlim
u v
)
q x y
uv


)rom 0&. (#(!6) one obtains immediately
-2 - 2
- 2 - 2 1 1
#
limlim sin sin
u v
"n
u v u v
) " x n y
a dxdy
s uv s



+ +

l l

2
1 1
18
limlim sin sin sin sin
2 2
"n
u v
) " n " u n v
a
"nuv s s

l l
:now for a very small angle

, sin

.
<ence,
y
g
s
l

34
x
1 1
limsin , and limsin
2 2 2 2
u v
" " n n
u u v v
s s



l l
2
18
sin sin
2 2
"n
) " n " u n v
a
"nuv s s

_ _

, ,
l l
#
sin sin
"n
) " n
a
s s

l l
(#(#2)
with
, 1, 2, !,.... " n
0,ample7 uniform load
@onsider a simply supported rectangular plate sub"ected to a uniformly distributed load.
2ecall 0&. (#(!9)
2 #
2 2
1 1
2 2
1
sin sin
"n
" n
a " x n y
w
D a b
" n
a b

_
+

,

(#(!9)
Tae the case of a load uniformly distributed over the entire surface of the rectangular plate.
Then
( )
1
, f x y q
1 1
2
1 1
# 18
sin sin odd m,n, for even m,n 1
a b
"n "n
q q " x n y
a dxdy a
ab a b "n

(#(#1)
$ubstituting into 0&. (#(!9), gives
1
2 8
2 2
1 1
2 2
sin sin
18
" n
" x n y
q
a b
w
D
" n
"n
a b

_
+

,

with m>1,!,%, . . and n>1,!,%, . . (#(#!)

The ma,imum deflection of the plate at its center, i.e., x*a+2, y*b-2, is found by substituting the
coordinates in to 0&. (#(#!).
3
( ) ( ) ( )
1 1
1
2 2 2
1 1
ma, 2 2 8 8
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 18 18
" n " n
" n " n
q q
w
D D
" n " n
"n "n
a b a b

+

_ _
+ +

, ,

(#(##)
This is a rapidly converging series, and a satisfactory appro,imation is obtained by taing only
the first term, giving for s&uare plate
# #
1 1
8
#
1.11#18
"ax
q a q a
w
D D

which is only 2.%G higher than the e,act solution.
Another case of practical interest is a single concentrated load applied at a given point x*

, y*

of the plate.
0,ample7 concentrated load
2ecalling the coefficient,
"n
a
, for a concentrated load as
#
sin sin
"n
) " n
a
ab a b

(#(#2)
The deflection e&uation is
2 #
2 2
1 1
2 2
sin sin
#
sin sin
" n
" n
) " x n y
a b
w
abD a b
" n
a b

_
+

,

with ">n>1,2,!,#,%, . .
This is another rapidly converging series. The ma,imum deflection at the center of the plate
assuming the concentrated load is also applied at the center can be found by substituting

>x*a-2,

>y*b-2, giving
ma, 2 #
2 2
1 1
2 2
# 1
" n
)
w
abD
" n
a b

_
+

,

(#(##)
for s&uare plate
3!
( )
2
ma, 2 #
2 2
1 1
# 1
" n
)a
w
D
" n

with ",n > 1,!,%, , , (#(#%)

Taing only the first term of the series for the ma,imum deflection of a s&uare plate, yields
2
ma,
1.111288
)a
w
D

which is only !.%G less than the e,act value. A )ourier series does not converge monotonically.
/t oscillates.
0,ample7 hydrostatical load
)ig. #(19
The coefficient
"n
a
of the double )ourier series of the load is obtained from
( )
1 1
#
, sin sin
a b
"n
" x n y
a q x y dxdy
ab a b

(#(!6)
$ince
( )
1
,
p
f x y x
a

1
2
1 1
#
sin sin
a b
"n
p " x n y
a x dxdy
a b a b

y
x
1
a
b
&
p
3"
+et
1 1
sin sin
a b
" x n y
I x dxdy
a b

and
1
1
2
sin cos
1
b b
n y b n y b
I dy
b n b n


_


,

with n>odd
( )
2
2
1
1
2 2 2
sin sin cos 1
1
a
"
a
b " x b a " x ax " x b a
I x dx
n a n " a " a n "


+
1
_

1

,
1
]

with ">1,2,!,
( ) ( )
2
1 1
1 1
2 2
# = 2
1 1
" "
"n
p p b a
a
a b n " "n
+ +
with ">1,2,!, . . n>1,!,%, . . . (#(#%)
( )
1
1
2 8
2 2
1 1
2 2
1 sin sin
=
"
" n
" x n y
p
a b
w
D
" n
"n
a b

_
+

,

with ">1,2,!, . . . . n>1,!,%, . . . . . . (#(#8)

)or a s&uare plate, the deflection at the center of the plate by taing only the first term is found to
be
# #
1 1 1
-2 2 8 8
2
= 2 1
1.1121=
2
x y a
p p a p a
w
D D D
a



_

,
Eote that 1.1121! in many reference boos is the results of summing more than the first term.
The ma,imum deflection occurs at y>a-2 and ,>1.%%!a.
( )
1
2
2 2
1 1
2 2
1 cos sin
1
"
" n
" " x n y
w a a a
x
" n
"n
a a
+


_

_
+

,

( )
( )
1
2
2 2
1 1
1 cos sin
"
" n
" x n y
a a
n " n
+

3#
m n
w
x

m n
w
x

1 1
1
cos
#
x
a

1 %
1
cos
!!=1
x
a

2 1
1 2
cos
2%
x
a

2 %
1 2
cos
#21%
x
a

! 1
1 !
cos
111
x
a

! %
1 !
cos
%9=1
x
a

# 1
1 #
cos
2=6
x
a

# %
1 #
cos
=#1%
x
a

1 !
1
cos
!11
x
a

1 9
1
cos
19%11
x
a

2 !
1 2
cos
%19
x
a

2 9
1 2
cos
1688!
x
a

! !
1 !
cos
692
x
a

! 9
1 !
cos
2!%!=
x
a

# !
1 #
cos
1=9%
x
a

# 9
1 #
cos
26%9%
x
a

1 1 2 1 ! 1 # 1 1 2
1 cos cos cos cos cos cos
# 2% 111 2=6 !11 %19
1 ! 1 # 1 1 2 1 ! 1 #
cos cos cos cos cos cos
692 1=9% !!=1 #21% %9=1 =#1%
1 1 2 1 ! 1
cos cos cos cos
19%11 1688! 2!%#= 26%9%
w x x x x x x
x a a a a a a
x x x x x x
a a a a a a
x x x
a a a

+ +

+ + +
+ +
# x
a

from 4aple
J
x*1.%%!a(
The ma,imum deflection at x*1.%%!a and y*a-2 is
# #
1 1
1.%%! , - 2 8
2.112!8!19% 1.11216!2
x a y a
p a p a
w
D D


which differs only a very small amount from the e,act solution.
3$

m n w
#
1
8
p a
D
_

,
m n w
#
1
8
p a
D
_

,
1 1 1.692!# 1 % 1.112!!#1!1
2 1 1.11#81# 2 % 1.11182161#
! 1 (1.19122%288 ! % (1.11121#691
# 1 (1.11911!!= # % (1.111%==1==
1 ! 1.128269=9 1 9 (1.111116#91
2 ! 1.11%1%9669 2 9 1.1111=18!1
! ! (1.11922#=22 ! 9 1.111121!#1
# ! (1.1128!8211 # 9 (1.111128%=8
4%
<3I9
1.
2.
(a) )ind the e,pression for R.
(b) /f
2
&
R q a , find

. Tae a minimum of # terms in the summation.

1.1=8=, for 6 terms B
1.1=%!= B , for 18 terms
1
q
y
a

,
x
z
a
#
ma,
, 1.11216!2, at 1.%% , 1.%
&
q a
w x a y a
D

y
#
a
2
a
#
a
#
a
1
q
R
x
R
#
a
2
a
2
2
2
2
41
. Lv& Solution
4. +vy5s 4ethod ($ingle )ourier $eries) ( preliminary
4aurice +vy (1=!=(1611), a famous disciple of $t. Denant, introduced in 1=99 this powerful
method to solve a rectangular plate problem governed by the e&uation
( )
( )
2 2
,
,
q x y
w x y
D

The solution is obtained in two distinctly separate steps in
( ) ( ) ( ) , ,
h p
w x y w x y w x +
(#(#9)
where
h
w
represents the homogenous solution and
p
w
is a particular solution. To obtain a
particular solution, it is re&uired that two opposite edges of the plate be simply supported and it
is assumed that the plate is infinitely long in the other direction. /t is assumed here that the edges
at x*1 and x*a are simply supported and the origin of the coordinate system is moved to x*1
and y*b-2. /t is further re&uired that the lateral loading have the same distribution in all sections
parallel to the ,(a,is.
)ig. #(1=
)i,ed
y
)ree
$imple
a
- 2 b
- 2 b
x
42
)rom the assumption that b , it follows that the differential e&uation of the plate degenerates
into
( ) ( )
#
#
p
d w x q x
dx D

This e&uation can be solved by a single )ourier series as

( )
1
sin
p "
"
" x
w x b
a

with the loading e,pressed as

( )
1
sin
"
"
" x
q x a
a

/n the second step, the solution of the biharmonic e&uation is found in the form as
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
1 1
, sin sin
"y
h "
" "
" x " x
w x y - x . y . y #
a a





(#(#=)
This operation transforms the biharmonic e&uation into an ordinary differential e&uation with
constant coefficients.
Although +vy5s method, which uses a single trigonometric series, is more general than Eavier5s
solution, +vy5s method does not have an entirely general character either since in its original
form, it can be applied only if
1. The two opposite edges of the plate are simply supported (here, it is assumed to
be simply supported at 1 and x x a ). Eote7 @urrent Eavier5s solution re&uires
all four edges to be simply supported.
2. The shape of the loading function is the same for all sections parallel to the ,(a,is.
Eote7 Eavier5s solution does not impose this limitation.
43
/t should be noted that the convergence of +vy5s solution is e,tremely fast, even for the case of
concentrated or line loads. Hn the other hand, the re&uired mathematical operations can be &uite
comple,.
)or some problems the assumption b tends to be too limiting in the derivation of particular
solutions for the +vy5s method.
)letcher and Thorne e,tended +vy5s method to include all possible combinations of simply
supported, fi,ed and free edge conditions.
/llustrative 0,ample /
A s&uare plate simply supported on all four edges sub"ected to a sine barrel loading is solved
again by +vy5s method.
The load is e,pressed as
1
a q
( )
1
, sin
x
q x y q
a

implies that the load does not change along the y(a,is
sin
p
x
w b
a

with
C
cos
p
x
w b
a a
_

,
,
2
O
sin
p
x
w b
a a
_


,
,
!
CCC
cos
p
x
w b
a a
_


,
#
sin
iv
p
x
w b
a a
_

,
, substituting this into
( )
#
#
p
d w q x
dx D
, gives
#
1
q
b
a D
_

,
<ence,
#
1
#
q a
b
D
and
#
1
#
sin
p
q a x
w
D a

Assume the homogeneous solution to be in the form

( ) sin
h
x
w . y
a

, with ( ) cos
h
w x
. y
x a a

_

,
,
( )
2
2
2
sin
h
w x
. y
x a a

_

,
44
( )
!
!
!
cos
h
w x
. y
x a a

_

,
,
( )
#
#
#
sin
h
w x
. y
x a a

_

,
, ( ) sin
h
w x
. y
y a

( )
2
2
sin
h
w x
. y
y a

, ( )
!
!
sin
h
w x
. y
y a

, ( )
#
#
sin
iv h
w x
. y
y a

( )
2
!
2
sin
h
w x
. y
x y a a

_



,
,
( )
2
#
2 2
sin
h
w x
. y
x y a a

_



,
$ubstituting these derivatives into
#
1
h
w , gives
( ) ( ) ( )
2 #
2 1
iv
. y . y . y
a a
_ _
+

, ,
, letting . to be of the form
!y
#
2 #
# 2
2 1 ! !
a a
_ _
+

, ,
!
a

t
2ecall the identity
sinh and cosh
2 2
x x x x
# # # #
x x



+

<ence,
1 2 ! #
y y y y
a a a a
. c # c y# c # c y#


+ + +
or
cosh sinh . . . (even function)
sinh cosh . . . (odd function)
y y y
. $ %
a a a
y y y
C D
a a a


_
+

,
_
+ +

,
As the plate is symmetric with respect to the ,(a,is (even function), C*D>1.
cosh sinh sin
h
y y y x
w $ %
a a a a
1 _
+
1
, ]
4
#
1
#
sin cosh sinh sin
p h
q a x y y y x
w w w $ %
D a a a a a

1 _
+ + +
1
, ]
#
1
#
1 cosh sinh sin
q a y y y x
w $ %
D a a a a

1 _
+ +
' )
1
, ]
The two re&uired boundary conditions are
2
- 2 - 2 2
1 and 1
y a y a
w
w
y

2
#
1
#
sinh sinh cosh sin
q a w y y y x
$ % % y
y D a a a a a a a

1
_ _ _
+ +
1

, , ,
1
]
2 2 !
# 2
1
2 #
cosh 2 cosh sinh sin
q a w y y y x
$ % % y
y D a a a a a a a

1
_ _ _
+ +
1

, , ,
1
]
cosh sinh 1 1
2 2 2
$ %
_
+ +

,
cosh 2 cosh sinh 1
2 2 2 2
$ % %
_
+ +

,
cosh sinh
1
2 2 2
1
cosh 2cosh sinh
2 2 2 2
$
%


1
1

1
' ) ' )
1
+
1
]
2
2cosh sinh
1
2 2 2
2
cosh
2
$

+

1 1
2
cosh
2
%

4!
#
1
#
2
2cosh sinh
1 1 1
2 2 2
1 cosh sinh sin
2 2
cosh cosh
2 2
q a y y y x
w
D a a a a

1
+
1
_
+
1
,
1
]
#
1
ma, - 2, 1 # 2
1 1 2 2.%1619=#96 1.%91968!29 2.!1126=612
1
2 2.%1619=#96
x a y
q a
w
D

+ _


,

#
1
1.11!229#9#
q a
D

/llustrative 0,ample //
A s&uare plate is sub"ected to a line loading of an intensity
q
0
at its centerline is e,amined by both
Eavier and +vy solutions.
Eavier5s $olution
1
2
18
sin sin sin sin
2 2
"n
q " n " u n v
a
"n a b a b

for a general patch loading

)or a line loading,
- 2, 1, - 2, and a u b v b
(a line load of
q
0
at the center)
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
1 1 1 1
1 1
2 2 2 2
2
18 =
1 1 1 1
2
" n n "
"n
q q " u
a
"n a an

The same result can be obtained alternately as
( ) ( )
1 1 1 1
# #
, sin sin , sin sin
s s
"n
" x n y " x n y
a q x y dxdy q x y dxdy
's s ab a b



l l
l
$ince ( ) , at a-2
&
q x y q x
( ) ( )
1
2
1
# #
sin sin 1 1 cos
2
"
b
& &
"n
q q " n y b
a dy n
ab b ab n

_


,

( )
1
2
=
1 for , > 1,!,%, , ,
1 for , > 2,#,8, , ,
"
&
q
" n
n a
" n

'

4"
( )
( )
1
1
!
2
2 %
2 2
1 1
= 1
sin sin
"
" n
q a
" x n y
w
D a a
n " n

with ", n>1,!,%, . .

ma, - 2, - 2 x a y a
w

( )
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
1 1 1 1 2
!
1
%
1 1 1 1 1 =
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
# 111 !11 692 !#8=
q a
D
1

+ + + + 1
1
]
( )
! !
1 1
% %
= =
1.2% 1.11 1.11!!!!! 1.11112== 1.1112== 1.2%%!%
q a q a
D D
+
!
1
1.11889%
q a
D

+Pvy solution
( ) ( )
1
at otherwise 1 f x q x f x
1
1
1
2 2
sin sin
a
"
q " x "
a q dx
a a a a

for ( )
1
1
2
2
- 2 1
"
"
q
a a
a

( ) ( )
1
1
2
1
2
, 1 sin
"
"
q " x
q x y
a a

1
sin
"
"
q x

, ( )
1
1
2
2
1
"
"
q
q
a


( ) sin
p "
w x w x

with ">1,!,%, . .
( )
#
#
p
d w q x
dx D

#
sin sin
"
"
q
w x x
D

#
# #
"
"
q a
w
D "

( )
( )
1
!
2
1
# #
1
1 2
sin
"
p
"
q a " x
w x
D " a

As the plate is symmetric with respect to the ,(a,is (even function), C*D>1.
1
cosh sinh sin
h " "
"
" y " y " y " x
w $ %
a a a a

1 _
+
1
, ]

!
1
# #
1
2 1
sin cosh sinh sin
2
p h " "
"
q a " " y " y " y " x
w w w $ %
D " a a a a

1 _
+ + +
1
, ]

The two re&uired boundary conditions are

4#
2
- 2 - 2 2
1 and 1
y a y a
w
w
y

2
!
1
# #
1
2 1
sinh sinh cosh sin
" "
"
q a w " " y " " y " " y " x
$ % % y
y D " a a a a a a a

1
_ _ _
+ +
1

, , ,
1
]

2 2
! 2
1
2 # #
!
1
cosh 2 cosh
2 1
sin
sinh
" "
"
"
" " y " " y
$ %
a a a a q a w " x
y D " a
" " y
% y
a a

1
_ _
+
1

, ,
1

_
1
+

1
, ]

cosh sinh sin 1

2 2 2
" "
" " " "
$ %
a

_
+ +

,
cosh 2 cosh sinh 1
2 2 2 2
" " "
" " " "
$ % %
_
+ +

,
cosh sinh
sin
2 2 2
1 cosh 2cosh sinh
2 2 2 2
"
"
" " "
"
$
a
% " " " "

1

1


1
' ) ' )
1

+

1
]
2
2cosh sinh sin
1 2 2 2
2
cosh
2
"
" " " "
a
$
"

_
+

,

sin
1
2
cosh
2
"
"
a
%
"

4$
! 2
1
# #
1
2cosh sinh
1 2 2 2
1 cosh
sin 2
2 cosh
sin
2
1 1
sinh
2
cosh
2
"
" " "
" y
"
"
a
q a " x
a
w
D " a
" y " y
"
a a

1 _
+

1
,
1
1
1
1
_
1
+

1
,
1
]

( )
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
1 1 2
!
1
ma, - 2, 1 #
1 1 1 2
1 1.8=%8 1 1 1.18126 1 1 1.11!=! 1
1 =1 82%
x a y
q a
w
D

1

+ + 1
1
]
!
1
1.118928
q a
D

/llustrative 0,ample /// (+Pvy solution)

Assume that a simply supported rectangular plate is under hydrostatic pressure.
( )
1
q
f x x
a

( )
1
2
sin
a
"
" x
a f x dx
a a

2
1 1
2 2
1
2 2
sin sin cos
1
a a
q q " x a " x ax " x
x dx
a a a " a " a


1
_

1

,
1
]

( )
1
1
2
1
" q
"
+

( )
( )
( )
1
1
1 1
1 1
1 2 2
sin sin , 1
"
"
" "
" "
q q " x
q x q x q
" a "

+

+

( ) sin with >1,2,!,#,%, . .
p "
w x w x "

( )
#
#
p
d w q x
dx D

#
sin sin
"
"
q
w x x
D

#
# #
"
"
q a
w
D "

%
( )
( )
1
#
1
% %
1
1 2
sin
"
p
"
q a " x
w x
D " a

As the plate is symmetric with respect to the ,(a,is (even function), C*D>1.
1
cosh sinh sin
h " "
"
" y " y " y " x
w $ %
a a a a

1 _
+
1
, ]

( )
1
#
1
% %
1
1 2
1 cosh sinh sin
"
p h " "
"
q a " y " y " y " x
w w w $ %
D " a a a a

1 _
+ + +
1
, ]

The two re&uired boundary conditions are

2
- 2 - 2 2
1 and 1
y a y a
w
w
y

( )
1
#
1
% % 2
1
sinh sinh
1 2
sin
cosh
" " "
"
"
" " y " " y
$ %
a a a a
q a w " x
y D " a
" " y
% y
a a

1 _ _
+
1
, ,
1

_
+ 1

, ]

( )
2 2
1
# 2
1
2 % %
!
1
cosh 2 cosh
1 2
sin
sinh
"
" "
"
"
" " y " " y
$ %
a a a a q a w " x
y D " a
" " y
% y
a a

1
_ _
+
1

, ,
1

_
1
+

1
, ]

cosh sinh 1 1
2 2 2
" "
" " "
$ %
_
+ +

,
cosh 2 cosh sinh 1
2 2 2 2
" " "
" " " "
$ % %
_
+ +

,
1
cosh sinh
1
2 2 2
1
cosh 2cosh sinh
2 2 2 2
"
"
" " "
$
% " " " "


1
1

1
' ) ' )
1
+
1
]
2
2cosh sinh
1
2 2 2
2
cosh
2
"
" " "
$
"

+

1 1
2
cosh
2
"
%
"

( )
1
# 2
1
% %
1
2cosh sinh
1 2 2 2
1 cosh
2 2
1 2 cosh
sin
2
1 1
sinh
2
cosh
2
"
"
" " "
" y
"
q a " x
w
D " a
" y " y
"
a a

1 _
+

1
,
1
1

1
1
_
1
+

1
,
1
]

( )
# #
1 1
- 2, 1, 1 %
2
1 1.8=%81#9## 1.1121%%
x a y "
q a q a
w
D D


vs. 1.1121= (Eavier)
The ma,imum deflection occurs at y>1, x>1.%#6a. The x coordinate is found by setting the
derivative e&ual to 'ero.
( )
1
# 2
1
% %
1
2cosh sinh
1 2 2 2
1 cosh
2 2
1 2 cosh
cos
2
2 2
1 1
sinh
2 2 2
cosh
2
"
"
" " "
" y
"
q a w " " x
x D "
" y " y
"

1 _
+

1
,
1
1
_
1

,
1
_
1
+

1
,
1
]

"
2
"
cosh
2
"
sinh
2
"
( )
1
#
1
"
"
+

w
x

1 1.%91968 2.%1619=% 2.!1126=6 1 1.!1#!=%

cos x
2 !.1#1%6! 11.%616%!! 11.%#=9!6 (1.182% (1.1#=8919cos 2 x
2
! #.912!=6 %%.88!!=16 %%.8%#!698 1.112!#%896 1.111811#cos! x
# 8.2=!1=% 289.9#8982 289.9##=6 (1.11!6182% (1.11!=#%=cos # x
% 9.=%!6=2 12=9.6=%### 12=9.6=%1%% 1.1118 1.111%6!=cos% x
8 6.#2#99= 816%.=2!6 816%.=2!= (1.1119918 (1.1119916cos 8 x
9 11.66%%9# 26=1#.=91= 26=1#.=91= 1.111#18% 1.111#18#cos 9 x
<ence, the ma,imum deflection at y>1 and x>1.%#6a (vs. 1.%%!a in Eavier solution) is computed
to be
#
1
1.1121%# - q a D (vs. 1.11216!2
#
1
- ) q a D from the table.
( )
1
# 2
1
% %
1
2cosh sinh
1 2 2 2
1 cosh
2 2
1 2 cosh
sin
2
2
1 1
sinh
2 2 2
cosh
2
"
"
" " "
" y
"
q a " x
w
D "
" y " y
"

1 _
+

1
,
1
1

1
1
_
1
+

1
,
1
]

"
2
"
cosh
2
"
sinh
2
"
( )
1
%
1
"
"
+

[ ] ( ) sin 1.%#6 "

#
1
- wD q a
1 1.%9196 2.%1619 2.!1126 1 1.!1188982% 1.1121!1#
2 !.1#1%6 11.%616% 11.%#=9 (1.1!12% 1.119!9##89 1.1111#=2
! #.912!= %%.88!!= %%.8%#!6 1.11#11% (1.11!#81=# (1.1111228
# 8.2=!1= 289.9#8982 289.9##=6 (1.111698% (1.111%%%298 (1.11111!8
% 9.=%!6= 12=9.6=%## 12=9.6=%1% 1.111!2 1.11122=6 1.111111%
8 6.#2#99 816%.=2!6 816%.=2!= (1.11112=8 ( (
9 11.66%% 26=1#.=91= 26=1#.=91= 1.1111%6 ( (
Tabulations of these &uantities are not necessary as any symbolic computer program, for
e,ample, 4aple
J
can sum these &uantities internally.
3