Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical

Engineers
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The Vibration of Rectangular Plates

G. B. Warburton
Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers 1954 168: 371
DOI: 10.1243/PIME_PROC_1954_168_040_02
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371

The Vibration of Rectangular Plates

By G. B. Warburton, M.A., Ph.D.*
I n this paper are considered the free transverse vibrations of rectangular plates with all possible
boundary conditions obtained by combining free, freely-supported, and fixed edges. The Rayleigh
method, assuming waveforms similar to those of beams, is used to derive a simple approximate
frequency expression for all modes of vibration. The terms in this expression depend on the nodal
pattern and the boundary conditions; they are tabulated for fifteen boundary c o n d i t i o n s 4 four
edges free, freely-supported, or fixed and the twelve cases in which some of the edges have one
condition and the rest another. The expression can also be used to obtain frequencies for a plate
which has a combination of all three boundary conditions. The effect on frequency of an edge being
supported and partially restrained is discussed.
For some boundary conditions it is possible to compare derived frequencies with those obtained
by various methods of accurate analysis and by experiment; except for a few cases, the results from
the approximate expression and accurate analysis agree closely.
For rectangular plates and for most boundary conditions and modes of square plates, the nodal
pattern consists of lines approximately parallel to the sides of the plate. The exceptions are discussed
and the gradual transition from these non-parallel patterns characteristic of a square plate to those
of a rectangular plate is traced.
The frequencies of extensional vibrations of rectangular plates are derived for two boundary conditions.
INTRODUCTION

I n this paper are considered the frequencies of free transverse

vibrations of rectangular plates for all combinations of free,
freely-supported, and fixed edges. In transverse vibration, points
in the plate undergo small displacements in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the plate. All four edges of the plate
may be free, freely-supported, or fixed;there are twelve mixed
boundary conditions in which some of the edges have one condition and the rest another. The author has obtained an approximate formula, expressing frequency in terms of the boundary
conditions, the nodal pattern, the dimensions of the plate, and
the constants of the material; this formula is applicable to all
fifteen boundary conditions. For six of these the author has not
found any reference giving frequencies;for only one-all edges
freely-supported-is there a well-known frequency expression.
For the remaining conditions, previous investigators, whose
work is referred to, have obtained frequencies for some modes
of vibration for specific values of the ratio of the sides of the
rectangle. For two of these eight conditions, Eschler (1950)t has
obtained frequency equations similar to those found by the
author and including all modes of vibration. The author also
outlines a method of obtaining frequencies for a plate which has
a combination of all three boundary conditions, for example,
two free, one freely-supported, and one fixed edge.
The approximate frequency formula is derived by applying
the Rayleigh method (Rayleigh 1894, p. 109 et seq.) and by
assuming that the waveforms of vibrating plates and beams are
similar; thus for a plate with all its edges fixed, the waveform
assumed is the product of the characteristic functions for two
beams with fixed ends. In effect, the Rayleigh method imposes
additional constraints on a system, so that the resulting frequencies are higher than those given by an exact analysis.
Whenever possible, the approximate frequencies are compared
with the results of exact or more accurate analyses. For most
boundary conditions, the errors are very small, but for a few
they are appreciable. To use this method the nodal patterns must
consist of lines approximately parallel to the sides of the plate.
Usually this condition is satisfied; the exceptions, and their
effect on frequency, are discussed.
The MS.of this paper was first received at the Institution on. 21st
July 1953, and in its revised form, as accepted by the C o u n d for
publication, on 24th November 1953.
* Lecturer, former1 I.C.I. Research Fellow, Department of Engineering, University o?Edinburgh.
t An alphabetical list of reference8 is given in Appendix 111.

In practice, one edge of a panel may be supported and

partially restrained-a
condition between that of freelysupported and fixed. For any mode the increase of frequency,
which is caused by the substitution of a fixed for a freelysupported edge, may be obtained from the approximate formula.
Thus limits are imposed on the required frequency and, from a
knowledge of the degree of restraint, an estimate of the frequency
can be made. Some of the boundary conditions investigated
appear to have little practical significance, but those containing
various numbers of freely-supported edges are required in order
to give lower limits for the frequencies of plates with partially
restrained edges.
Extensional vibrations can also occur in a plate; then motion
is only in the plane of the plate. AS this type of vibration is
associatedwith high frequenciesand has less practical significance
than transverse vibrations, it is only considered briefly for two
boundary conditions (Appendix I).
Throughout the paper, the plates are assumed to be isotropic,
elastic, free from applied loads and of uniform thickness, and
the analysis is based on the ordinary theory of thin plates. Also
the thickness is assumed to be small in comparison with the
wavelength.
Notation.
Lengths of sides of rectangular plate. ,
Ratios in expressions for displacement.
Frequency.
Acceleration due to gravity.
Thickness of plate.
Number of nodal lines in X and Y directions
respectively.
b2h
rz =
d ( n - 1)2'
Time.
Component displacements of a point in the X and
Y directions.
Transverse disulacement of a Doint.
Co-orciinate distances in p h i of plate.
Component amplitudes.
Eh3

x, Y

A, B, C

D=
E

12(1 -u2)'

Youne's modulus.
Gx, Hx, Jx Funzons of m in frequency expression.
Gy, H,, Jy Functions of n in frequency expression.

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Ria integral.
Kinetic energy.

Strain energy.

w = wsinwt.

T H E V I B R A T I O N OF R E C T A N G U L A R P L A T E S
The maximum values of potential and kinetic energy are given
by
Eh3

Indices.
Factors in amplitude expressions defining nodal
pattern.
Functions in frequency expressions.
Functions of x and y respectively, defining waveform.

T m U =ph2
t g

1:

W2&dy

. . .

.....

(6)

whencc

2rf circular frequency.

By the Rayleigh principle (Rayleigh 1894, p. 109 et seq.), if a

suitable waveform W is assumed, satisfying approximately the
GENERAL METHOD FOR T R A N S V E R S E V I B R A T I O N S
boundary conditions, the resulting frequency value is very near
Before considering the various boundary conditions, the basic to, but higher than, the true value, because the assumption of
equations and methods of solution will be given. For a rectangular an incorrect waveform is equivalent to the introduction of
plate of sides of lengths a and b, the vibration form must satisfy constraints to the system. The characteristic beam functions in
the directions OX and OY are normally assumed. By this
method the approximate frequency expressions in this paper are
obtained.
The energy method gives more accurate values if the
Rayleigh-Ritz method* is used. I n this,a series is assumed for
W, of the form
W = z % A O(x)+@)
(8)
ab ab a
are the various characteristic bcam
where &(x) and
functions corresponding to different modes. The coeflicients
Aab have values, which make w2, given by equation (7),a
minimum.
For any mode of vibration the nodal pattern is dciined by
m and n, the number of nodal lines in the X and Y directions
respectively. This number includes the edge if it is supported;
thus, for two parallel edges supported, m (or n) can be any
integer given by m> 2. For a plate with one edge supported and
the parallel edge free, m = 1 is an additional value, and for
Fig. 1. Details of Rectangular Plate
two parallel edges free, m = 0 and m = 1 are possible. The
method of denoting the mode of vibration by the numbers of
nodal
is suitable, if the nodal lines are approximately
the boundary conditions at the edges OA, AB, BC, CO (Fig. 1); parallellines
to the sides of the rectangle. However, when the plate
also it must satisfy the plate equation (Love 1927) :is square and similarly supported in the X and Y directions, the
nodal lines may not be parallel to the sides. Thus, for a square
plate with all edges fixed (or free) or with two neighbouring
edges lixed and two free (or freely-supported), the patterns
where w, the displacement at any point (x, y) at time t, is given may not be similar to those for rectangles; the case of a square
plate with all edges freely-supported is an exception-the nodal
by
lines
are always parallel to the edges. These non-parallel
w = wsin wt = Ae(x)+Cy)sinwt
(2)
patterns were first observed experimentally for a square plate
In general, it is not possible to find a form for w to satisfy with free edges by Chladni (1802 and 1817). For this plate, the
equation (1) together with the boundary conditions. For these normal modes of vibration are of the type m/n (that is, m nodal
cases, an infinite series can be assumed for W; each term of the lines in the X direction and n nodal lines in the Y direction)
series satisfies equation (1) and some of the boundary con- only when m = n or m is odd and n is even, or vice versa. When
the normal modes are of the types
ditions and, by taking suitable values of the coefficients A, the m-n = f2, f4, f6,
remaining conditions are satisfied. Usually this procedure leads m/n+n/m and m/n-n/m. These patterns do not consist of lines
to an infinite determinant being zero, each term in the deter- parallel to the sides of the plate; the amplitude of any point is
minant being a different function of the frequency. The roots the sum of the amplitudes of thatpoint for the component
of the determinant give the natural frequencies for the modes. vibrations m/n and n/m. Thus two new nodal patterns are
Normally, the roots obtained by taking two, three, four and obtained; the plus and minus signs corresponding to m/n and
n/m being in phase and out of phase respectively. However, the
five rows and columns of the determinant converge to a limit.
Accurate values of frequency can also be obtained by con- normal modes are m/nfn/m and, in these cases, the modes
siderations of energy. For a rectangular plate, the potential m/n, n/m cannot exist separately. Simple examples of modes of
the types m/nfn/m are given in Fig. 2 (first column) for
energy of bending U is given (Timoshenko 1937) by
a/b = 1 for various boundary conditions. The two types have
discrete frequencies as well as discrete nodal patterns. The
gradual transition from normal modes of the types m/nfn/m
to normal modes of the types m/n and n/m, as a/b deviates from
unity, will be considered later in this paper.
When m is even and n is odd (or vim versa) for a free square
plate, the normal modes of vibration have nodal lines parallel
and the kinetic energy T by
This method was first applied by Rim (1909) to the transverse
vibration of free plates; the method and its ap licatian to various
plate problana have been described in detpil by &instock(1952).

. . . .

..

. ..

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THE VIBRATION OF RECTANGULAR PLATES

to the sides, and the modes m/n and n/m have, in theory,
identical frequencies. The two modes may vibrate together and
an infinite number of nodal patterns is theoretically possible,
corresponding to combinations of the modes m/n and n/m, \Ivth
varying amplitude ratios and phase angles. Such combinauons
are given by Chladni (1802) and are discussed in detail by
Waller (1939). In practice, the frequencies of modes mln and
n/m may not be identical, owing to small imperfections in the
plate, and the nodal pattern obtained d depend on the method
of excitation.

Characteristic Beam Functions. Using the Rayleigh method,

the characteristic beam functions are substituted for O(x) and
&) in equation (2). These functions satisfy the boundary
conditions for plates with fixed or freely-supported edges, but

373

are only approximate for free edges. The appropriate expressions

for e(x) are given below; corresponding expressions for $(y) can
be obtained by substituting y, b, E, and c for x, a, y, and k
respectively.
(1) Freely-suppfled at
0 and = a.
l>nx
e(x) = sin (mfor m = 2,3,4,. . .
a
= 0 and

(2) Fixed at

(9)

= a.

e(x) = cos y(;- j)+k cosh y(z-+)

for m = 5 4 , 6,
where k

... . . .

(lOa)

fr and tan b+tanh fr = 0.

s l n h 4-Y
Sin

X
e(#) = sin yt(;-j)

+Ksinh yt(f-j) for m = 3a5a 7,

. . .

fr and tan w-tanh w = 0.

where k = -S i n h 3r

(lob)

Sin

(3) Free at x = 0 and x = a.

e(x) = 1
form = 0
L

Bl H
b

lo

e(x) = 1--

. . . . . . . . . .
form = 1 . . . . . . . . . .

2#
a

d(x) = cosy(;-+)

where k =

+k cosh y(f-+)

Sin 4-Y
and tan fr+tanhfr
--wfr

2//1+52

0
2/I-l/2

i/;
a] h

I-DO

a All &CS

(llb)
(11~)

= 0.

. ..

2 p o p

for m = 2,4, 6,

(lla)

(lld)

En
I

wB
a b-@so

alb-o.98

fixed, m = 4, n = 2.

alb-

0.95

Fig. 2. Variation of Nodal Pattern with u/b

b All edges free, m = 2, n = 0. c Two neighbouring edges fixed, two Erce, m = 2, n = 1.
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THE

374

(4) Fixed at x = 0,

VIBRATION OF

RECTANGULAR PLATES

free at x = u.

e(x) = cosF-cosh$+k(sin$-sinhy)
U

for m = 1 , 2 , 3 , . .

....

(12)

number of nodes in the X-direction affect the values of G

,, Hx,
and Jx. Similarly, the edge conditions for y = 0 and y = b and
the value of n control the values of Gy, H,,, and Jy, and the latter
are identical in this case with those of 9 m Table 1. Thus for
the fundamental mode 111 the frequency factor h is given by
2a2
3
h2 = 05974+0+~[u(-0*0870). O+(l-u)O.471

.a]

a2
= O.l27+0*287g(l-~)
(5) Fixed at x = 0, freely-supported at x

e(%) = sin yfZh-+)

x

+A sinh

= a.

yt(&-+)

.....

for m = 2,3,4,.
where y and k are defined in equation (lob).
(6) Free at x = 0, freely-supported at x = a.

e(%) = I-; x

for m = 1

..........

e(x> = siny(~--f)+ksinhy(~-f)
x

(13)

(14a)

form = Z, 3,4,

...

...

(14b)

The last column of Table 1 gives the conditions for which

modes of the types m/n&n/m occur for square plates. Sometimes
the effect of these modes on frequency is considerable; this will
be discussed in the next seaion, where the necessary modified
frequency expressions are given. In that section the frequencies
for modes of the type m/n, given by equation (16), are compared
with those obtained by previous investigators. However, it may
be noted that the errors in the frequencies obtained from
equation (16) for plates with no free edges are less than 0.6 per
cent.
ACCURACY OF APPROXIMATE FREQUENCY EXPRESSION
AND DISCUSSION OF MODES m / n f n / m

(1) Four Edges Freely-suppolted. This is the only boundary

condition for which h can be expressed exactly by a simple
formula. The frequency equation derived by the Rayleigh
method, equation (16), is identical with the well-known exact
APPROXIMATE FREQUENCY EXPRESSION
expression, Timoshenko (1937). For square or rectangular plates
For any boundary condition, expressions for O(x) and +(y) the nodal lines are always parallel to the sides.
are obtained from equations (9)-(14), and are substituted in
equations (2) and (7) to give an expression for frequency. In
(2) Four Edges Ftked. Sezawa (1931) obtained frequenciesfor
each case a non-dimensional frequency factor A, proportional to several modes, but, owing to his assumptions, his values are
frequency, is derived, where
inaccurate by 3-5 per cent. Kato (1932), by progressive approximation, obtained a value h = 3.641 for the fundamental mode
pU4(2&Z12(102)
A2 =
(15)
for a square plate. A more accurate value for this mode,
ltoEh2g
h = 3.646, has been obtained by Merent methods by Tomotika
It is found that for all possible boundary conditions consisting (1935 and 1936) and Iguchi (1938). The latter also obtained
of any combination of My-supported, free, and fixed edges, frequencies for various higher modes of square plates and for
frequencies can be determined from the expression
the fundamental for rectangular plates. By using a modified
minimal problem, Weinstein (1937 and 1951) obtained upper
and lower bounds for the frequency of ten modes for a square
plate. Hopkins (1945) extended the theory to include transverse
where the coefficients Gxa Gya Hxa Hya Jxa and Jy depend on the load, the influence of stiffeners and aeolotropy of the material;
nodal pattern and the boundary conditions. Values of these the only calculated frequency in his paper agrees with those of
coefficients are given in Table 1 for the three pure boundary Tomotika and Iguchi for the fundamental mode for a square
conditions, in which all the plate edges have the same condition, plate. The methods of Tomotika (1936), Iguchi (1938), and
and for the twelve cases in which some of the plate edges have Hopkins (1945) were all similar to that previously described,
one condition and the rest another.
where W consists of an infinite series j considerable computation
Suppose the frequency of a rectangular plate with three edges is required to obtain a single frequency by these methods.
fixed and one freely-supported(parallel to the Y-axis) is required
Young (1950) applied the Rayleigh-Ritz method to square
for the modem = 2, n = 3. Then from Table 1 and equation (16) plates, and obtained frequencies agreeing with those of Iguchi
(to within 0.1 per cent). Eschler (1950) used the Rayleigh method
to obtain an approximate frequency expression, similar to but
more complicated than equation (16). Comparing values of h
+(l--0). 1*252(1-mT)
1
,252
given by approximate and exact analyses, the maximum err01
is 0.5 per cent.
where y and k are defined in equation (lld).

. . .

UZ

= 2*44+39.0%+ lO45p

Thus the frequency factor h is obtained for any ratio a/b; the
frequency is given by
f

In this case, A is independent of Poissons ratio u, because

Hx = Jx and H, = J,; this is true for any plate with no free
edges.
Equation (16) and Table 1 can also be used to give frequencies
of plates with boundaries including all three edge conditionsfree, freely-supported, and fixed. For instance, if a rectangular
plate has the side x = 0 fixed, y = 0 freely-supported, and
x = a and y = b free, the values of G,, Hx, and Jx are idenucal
with those of cases 12, 13, and 15 in Table 1 ;that is, only the
boundary conditions for the edges x = 0 and x = a and the

Existence of Modes m/nfn/m. When a clamped plate is

square or almost square, the nodal patterns no longer consist of
lines parallel to the sides. Also, a square plate does not have two
normal modes m/n, n/m with identical frequencies, but has
normal modes represented by m/n&n/m with two discrete
frequencies. The nodal patterns of the modes 4/2&2/4 are
shown in Fig. 2u. The literature contains no record of the
change-over in pattern from a rectangle to a square. Young
(1950) obtained discrete frequenciesfor the two modes 4/2&2/4,
but Iguchi (1938) obtained a frequency only for the mode
4/2+2/4. I n order to check the existence of these two modes
with discrete frequencies, the author exteaded the analysis of
Tomotika (1936) to these modes, and found that they exist
separately with discrete frequencies.
The author investigated the transition of patterns as a / h l
by using the Rayleigh-Ritz method, but limiting the analysis
to the two principal terms. For a rectangular plate in which

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T H E V I B R A T I O N OF RECTANGULAR PLATES
TABU1. COEFFICIENTS
IN FREQUENCY
EQUATION
(16)

- - - - - - - Freely-supported edge,
~

Boundary conditioi

375

m,
Fixed edge.

-n

Free edge.

GY

HY

n--.

(n-l)z

Modes m/n&nlm
exist for a b if,

JY

2
3,4,5,

2,3,4,

..

I, 4.5,.

1-50
n-!

..

193
n-1

1-1

2,3,4,.

..

1
2
I, 4,5,

2,3,4,

..

1,4,5,

..

1,3,4,..

!, 3,4,

..

n-4

2
3,4,5,

..

,I 3.4,

..

n-I

!,3.4,

..

r 3 r 4,.

n-1

1
!,3.4,

1
t, 3.4,.

1.248

0
0

1
2
3,4,5,

0
0
1-+)2

160(
n-4

None

f2,4,6...

r-n = i2.4.6,

c 1-yn-*)n

-w[1-An

None

None

(n-l)a

None

(n-l)2

0
1
2

..

4,5,

3.4,.

.,

1*50(

None

..

n-4

n-f

3.4,

..

n-1

(n-l)1

B3.4,.

0-1

(n-1)*

0
1

I,4,5,

1
I, 3,4,.

1
2

1,4,5,

I
2
I4.5,.

.
..

. I

2
I

..

4,5,

1
2
4,5,.

0
2

,4,5,.

1
2
,4.5,.

..

1
2
4,5,

...

..

1
2

4,5,

...

None

None

*-f

,494

None

(n- 111

L.506

1.597

-0.0870
1.347

0.471
3.284

mitn

1-+

0
0
-506

None

I-+

0
0
-506

0
0

1-f

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1.248

m-n=

None

...

T H E VIBRATION OF RECTANGULAR PLATES

there are an even number of nodes in both the X and Y directions, and
the displacement may be expressed as
376

Eh3
12(1 0 2 )
Owing to the existence of the small term T],
the two modes m/n
and n/m are never completely independent;their effect on each
ill be investigated for particular values of m and n. If the
other w
modes 412 and 214 (or the associated modes 4/2f2/4) be considered, then substituting y = 3.57~and e = 1.506~in equations
(18) and (19), two frequencyfactors hl and X2, with corresponding
amplitude ratios @ / A ) , and (B/A)2, are obtained for any value
of a/b. It should be noted that (B/A)l = -(A/&. In Fig. 3a,
hl and h2 are plotted against a/b for these modes; the dotted
lines represent the values of X1 and hz obtained by applying
equation (16) to these modes. It will be observed that the
resulting difference in frequency, if a dotted line is used instead
of its associated full line, is negligible. Thus if it is erroneously

D=-

W =A[..sy(~-~)+kroshy~-,)][00~(f-f)
+c cosh c(f-+)]

+B[cosc~--f)+ccosh~~--))][cosY(%--f)

+ k coshy($-t)]
where the amplitude ratio A / B is chosen for each mode to make
the frequency a minimum for that mode. This is expressed
mathematically by
aaRA = 0 , aaR
T=O

where R is the Riu integral given by

a2w a2w

azw

12(1-u2)pw2~
]&dy .
(17)
Eh2g
The evaluation of this integral is simplified by noting that

. .

provided that W = 0 at the four edges. This was proved by

Leggett (1941) in a paper on the buckling of plates.
Hence
aR
o = -aA
- - (9g +4p +2y2czr)
x - x phw2
)A+&j$
(18)

- - -

. . .
where

[1-(- I+-;

sin y ) ] 1-(- l)n(cz-;

sin

(19)

)I
0:6

09

a/b
b All edges free, m = 2,

16

n = 0.

a16

u All edges fixed, m = 4, n = 2.

Two neighbouring edges fixed, two free, m = 2, n = 1.

Fig. 3. Variation of Frequency Factor X with a/b

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T H E V I B R A T I O N OF R E C T A N G U L A R P L A T E S
assumed that the normal modes for a square plate with fixed
edges are 412 and 214, instead of 4/2f2/4, the frequency error
will be very small. The amplitude ratio (B/A)l is plotted in
Fig. 4 (curve I); these values have been used to construct the

377

corrected the work of Goldmann and showed theoretidy and

experimentally that for alb = 1.5, the nodal patterns were
approximately parallel to the sides, conesponding to modes of
the type mln. By taking three plates for which alb = 1,1.04, and
1.07, Pavlik showed theoretically and experimentally the transition from the characteristic patterns of square plates to those of
rectangular plates. Waller's papers (1939 and 1949), which
include a large number of experimental patterns for square and
r e ~ . 3 u l a free
r plates, showed the same transition.
Equation (16), with Table 1, gives frequencies for all modes of
the type mln; that is, it gives all frequencies for rectangular
plates and frequencies for square (or almost square) plates when
m = n or m - n is an odd number. When the plate is square and
m-n 1s an even number, the modes are of the types m/nfn/m.
The range of values of a/b, in which the transition from modes
m / n to modes m l n f n l m occurs, is considerably greater for free
plates than for fixed plates. Also, the percentage difference in
frequency between two associated modes m/n+n/m and
mln-nlm is much greater for free plates than for fixed plates.
Thus it is necessary to modify the frequency expressions
previously given.

Modes m10fOlmfor Square Plates Wherem is Even. Assuming

vibrauon forms
LV = A[cosy(~-+)+k coshy(:-+)]
0

fA[cos y e - i ) +k a s h y e - + )
Fig. 4. Variation of Amplitude Ratio with a/b

it is found that

I All edges fixed, m = 4, n = 2.

I1 All edges free, m = 2, n = 0.
I11 TWOneighbouring edges fixed, two free, m = 2, n = 1.

= (m-+)4f2o(m-+)2;;-,8

A2

. . .

(20)

Modes m l l fllm for Square Plates Where m = 3, 5, 7

nodal patterns for a/b = 1 and a / b = 0.98, shown in Fig. 2 ~ . Assuming vibration forms
Fig. 2 shows the rapid change from patterns characteristic of
square plates to those for rectangular plates, as a/b deviates from W = A[sin y ' E - + ) +k' sinh f(:-f)](l-?)

..

..n;+.r
y.YL,.

Similar results are obtained for modes with odd numbers of

nodes in the X and Y directions, provided m # n. When m is
odd and n even, or vice versa, there is no term in AB in the
integral R. Hence the two equations, corresponding to equations
(18) and (19), are independent. Thus, in this case, mln and nlm
are normal modes for all values of a/b and there is only one
frequency for the square plate, as the two equations are identical
for a/b = 1.
Only one pair of modes has been investigated in detail, but
these modes have the lowest frequencies at which this phenomenon occurs. From the nature of 7' [equation (19a)], it can
be seen that the percentage difference between the frequencies
for modes m/n+n/m and m/n-n/m decreases as m and n
increase. Thus the author has not attempted to allow for these
modes in his approximate frequency equation (16). When the
plate is square, and m and n are unequal but both even (or both
odd), there will be two frequencies, both nearly equal to that
given by the approximate formula. The nodal patterns for these
modes can be determined by addition and subtraction of the
relevant patterns for modes m / n and n/m.
(3) Four Edges Free. Chladni (1802 and 1817) determined
experimentally the nodal patterns of square plates. The
theoretical determination of frequencies and nodal patterns of
free square plates was the first application by Ritz (1909) of
his method, which has since been applied to many other
problems. Lemke (1928) repeated the work of Ritz with greater
accuracy (in effect this means taking more terms in the series
for displacement) and she also obtained experimental frequencies
and nodal patterns; for the graver tones there was good agreement between theory and experiment. Ritz showed that for
square plates the normal modes were of the type mln with nodal
lines approximately parallel to the sides, if m = n or if m was
odd and n even (or vice versa). For m-n = 5 2 , f 4 , f 6 ,
the normal modes were of the types m/nfn/m.
Goldmann (1918) extended the work of Ritz to rectanguh
plates, but erroneously assumed that modes of the types
m/nfn/m existed in rectangular plates. Pavlik (1936 and 1937)

. ..

it is found that

Modes mlnfnlm for Square Plates Where m and n are Like

Quantities but Unequal (m>l, n>l). Assuming vibraaon
forms

W = A[cos

y ( z - 4 ) +k cosh y(z-+)]

[msc~-+)

+c coshce;'-+)]

& A [ c o s c ~ - + ) + cc o s h ~ ( ~ - f f ) ] [ c o s y ~ - f )
+k coshy(:-+)]

it is found that
A2

= (m-.))4+(n-+)4

160
1
m-n
f,2[(m -+)4{- m +n - 1 (m -+)2+ (n-f)*

32( 1 - 0 )

m-n

f j12 (m- +)2(n-+)2[ m+n--l+

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m+n-1
2
(m -+)2 +(n-4121
. . (22)

378
THE V I B R A T I O N OF R E C T A N G U L A R P L A T E S
It will be seen that for all modes m/n&n/m, the expression for one edge fixed and three edges free. For the latter condition
Barton (1951) performed similar calculations for rectangular
A2 consists of the corresponding expression for the non-existent
mode m/n plus (or minus) a correction factor. These factors are plates and obtained experimental frequencies for these modes.
not negligible; the difference in frequency for the modes Eschler (1950)obtained an approximate solution for plates with
2/0+0/2and 210-0/2 is approximately 25 per cent for (I = 3. two parallel edges free and two fixed, but his solution considered
However, in the correction factor of equations (20)and (22), it only modes in which there were two or more nodal lines parallel
is sufficiently accurate to use the integral value m = 2 (or n = 2) to the free edges; thus the two gravest families of modes-with
with no modification; the usual modifications are made in the no nodal line and one nodal line parallel to the free edges-were
remainder of the expressions for hz. Frequencies have been ignored.
calculated from these equations for various modes for square
The accuracy of the frequencies obtained from equation (16)
plates and for rectangles, where a / b = 1.5, and have been depends on the boundary conditions. As has been mentioned,
compared with the accurate values of Ritz (1909),Lemke (1928), the assumed waveforms do not satisfy exactly the conditions for
and Pavlik (1936). For square plates, frequencies given by the a free edge ;hence the frequencies are not as accurate for plates
approximate formulae are 5 per cent high for modes 111, 211, with one or more free edges. When there are no free edges, the
and 2/2, but for most other modes the error is less than 1 per frequencies given by equation (16) and by exact analysis agree
cent. For the rectangular plate the error for the fundamental to within 0.6 per cent. When free edges exist, the approximate
mode 1/1 is 6 per cent, but for other modes the errors in fre- frequencies are usually within 1 per cent of the exact values,
quency are about 1 per cent.
but they are sometimes 5 per cent too high when the characfrom the teristic functions for free-free or fixed-free beams are used in
The author has investigated the transition as a/&l
modes 210 and 0/2of rectangular plates to the modes 2/0+0/2 the analysis. The greatest errors occur for cantilever plates
and 2/0-0/2 of square plates. The method has been described (condition 15) for the modes 1 /I and 2/1;for a square plate the
for plates with fixed edges. The waveform assumed is :approximate frequencies are 11 and 3 per cent too high and for
a / b = 5 they are 27 and 12 per cent too high for these modes.
W = A[cos y(:-+) +k ~~shy(:-+)]
For both these modes the waveform in the Y-direction is

I n Fig. 3b the frequency factors, A1 and h2, for the two modes
are plotted against a/b. The frequency factors that would be
obtained by erroneously using equation (16) are shown by
dotted lines. Over the range 0.8 <a/b <1.25, if frequencies are
obtained from equation (16)for these modes, they are inaccurate.
I n Fig. 4 (curve 11) the variation of the amplitude ratio
with a/b is shown; this has been used to plot the nodal patterns
for the two modes for various values of a / b in Fig. 2.It will be
seen from Figs. 2 and 4 that the transition from modes characteristic of rectangular plates to those of square plates is much
more gradual for free plates than for fixed plates. The amplitude
ratios agree with those obtained theoretically and experimentally
by Pavlik (1936and 1937)j his results show that for other modes
(B/A)l decreases as the difference between m and n increases,
for a particular value of a/b. Thus it is safe to conclude that for
all modes for which (m-n) is an even number, equation (16)is
inaccurate only over the range 0.8 <a/b <1.25.
(4, Mixed Boundmy Conditions. For six of the twelve mixed
boundary conditions listed in Table 1 accurate values of
frequency have been obtained for some modes by other investigators. For each of the conditions, in which two parallel edges
are freely-supported (conditions 6, 7, 10, and 1l), there exists a
waveform, which satisfies the plate equation (1) and all the
boundary conditions. The resulting frequency equations are
transcendental and can be solved numerically only for particular
values of (n-l)a/b. For a plate with two parallel edges fixed
and two freely-supported, Sezawa (1931) and Kato (1932)
obtained the fundamental frequency, and Iguchi (1938)obtained
frequencies for several modes. Eschler (1950)solved the problem
with the addition of loads applied in the plane of the plate and
he also obtained an approximate frequency expression similar
to equation (16). Voigt (1893)first derived the transcendental
equations for plates with two parallel edges free, two freelysupported; following this analysis Zeissig (1898) calculated
frequencies for various modes and performed experimental
investigations, which gave frequencies and nodal patterns
agreeing with his calculations. Eschler (1950)repeated Voigts
analysis, adding the effect on frequency of loads applied to the
plate in its plane, and he also obtained an approximate frequency
expression, but it included only modes with two or more nodal
lines parallel to the free edges. Iguchi (1938) calculated frequencies for several modes for a plate with one edge fixed, three
edges freely-supported. For the last of these four conditionsone edge free, three edges freely-supported-the author has
derived the transcendental frequency equation (Appendix 11).
Young (1950) used the Rayleigh-Rim method to calculate
frequencies of the five gravest modes of vibration of square
plates with two neighbouring edges free and two fixed, and with

nt,

3
4
5
6
NUMBER OF NODAL LINES IN S DIRECTION

Fig. 5. Frequencies of Cantilever Plate

a/b = 1.855.
o Grinsteds experimental points.
n Number of nodal lines in Y direction.
assumed to be linear. This assumption, which cannot be
expected to give good results, is also associated with the less
accurate frequencies obtained for free plates. In Fig. 5 the
frequencies of a rectangular cantilever plate (a/b = 1.855),
obtained from equation (16) and Table 1, have been plotted
against the number of nodal lines in the X-direction, m, each
curve representing a different number of nodes in the Y-direction, n. As m and n can only be integers, the curves connecting
the frequencies have no physical significance, but merely indicate

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THE VIBRATION OF RECTANGULAR PLATES

379
the different families of modes. Grinsted (1952) obtained experi- Therefore 3*24<h<3.66, where A is the required frequency
mental frequencies for 24 modes for a plate of these dimensions factor of the plate. From the inequality and knowledge of the
and his experimental points are shown in Fig. 5. Apart from the degree of restraint applied to the plate edge it should be possible
mode 111 the greatest difference between experimental and to estimate the fundamental frequency to an accuracy of about
theoretical frequencies is 6.4 per cent and the mean error is 3 per cent. If all the edges of a plate are partially restrained, only
2-5 per cent. The diagram shows that, in general, the frequency a rough approximation to the fundamental frequency can be
error decreases as m and n increase.
expected from this method.
For three of the mixed boundary conditions of Table 1
(5, 9, and 13) modes of the types m/nfn/m exist for square
plates, when m and n are unequal. When the plate has two
neighbouring edges fixed and two freely-supported (condition5),
the difference in frequency between associated modes is
negligible, and equation (16) with Table 1 can be used to give
approximate frequencies; the rapid transition from nodal
APPENDIX I
patterns characteristic of square plates to those of rectangular
plates is similar to that described for a plate with all its edges C O R R E L A T I O N B E T W E E N P L A T E A N D C Y L I N D E R T H E O R Y .
fixed. A square plate with two neighbouring edges free and two
TRANSVERSE A N D E X T E N S I O N A L V I B R A T I O N S
freely-supported (condition 9) behaves in a manner similar to
that of a plate with free edges. Thus the percentage difference in
The flexural vibrations of thin cylinders with freely-supported
frequency for associated modes, m(n+n!m .and mln-nlm, may
be considerable. Frequency expressions slrmlar to equations (21) ends and with fixed ends have been investigated (Arnold and
and (22) can be derived, and for modes m/l f 1 /m,where m > 1, Warburton 1949 and 1953). By making the cylinder radius
approach infinity the results from these papers can be applied
to the vibration of flat, rectangular plates with either all edges
freely-supported or two parallel edges fixed and two edges
freely-supported. For plates, the distance between nodal lines
in the Y-direction is b/n- 1 (Fig. 6); this must replace the ratio
The behaviour of the modes 211 and 1/2 for a plate with two of cylinder circumference to number of circumferential nodes in
neighbouring edges lixed and two free (condition 13) has been the expressions for cylinders, as both these quantities for
cylinders approach infinity.
investigated by the Rayleigh-Ritz method, assuming

W = A [ c o s ~ - c o s h ~ + k ( s i n ~ - s i n ha~ ) ] [ c o s $
-cosh

yI

?+ c(sin%- sinh f)]

+B[cos%-cosh

EX
-+c

s i n --sinh

(:

- c o s h ~ + k ( s i n ~ - s i n h pb) ]

-)][ax
X
a

7
w

....

, (24)

I n Fig. 4, curve I11 gives the variation of the amplitude ratio

--r--+-A/B with a/b. Fig. 3c shows the variation of frequency with a/b
for the two modes; the full lines represent the frequencies
calculated by the Rayleigh-Ritz method and the dotted lines
represent those calculated from equation (16) and Table 1.
The points marked 0 were obtained for a square plate by
Young, using several terms in his series expression for W,and
show that the use of two terms in the expression for W instead
of the approximate frequency expression (16) may not, in fact,
Fig. 6. Details of Rectangular Plate
increase the accuracy. The author considers that approximate
frequencies for all modes can be obtained from equation (16),
Plates With All Edges Freely-supported. From the results for
particularly as the percentage difference in frequency between
associated modes m/n+n/m and m/n-n/m decreases as m and n freely-supported cylinders [Arnold and Warburton 1949,
increase; the errors for modes m/n&tn/m will not be greater than equation (15)] a frequency equation is obtained for plates, and
those existing for modes m/n for this boundary condition. If it has the following roots (in the notation of this paper) :exact values are required for the higher modes, a series of
2 2
several terms must be used for W.The variation of nodal pattern
A1Z = [(m-l)2+(n-l)2;]
. , (25u)
with a/b is shown in Fig. 2c for the modes 2/1 and 1/2.

. . . . .

E F F F C T OF A P A R T I A L L Y R E S T R A I N E D EDGE

For a plate which has three edges fixed and the other supported
and partially restrained frequency limits can be found for any
mode by considering the fourth side to be (a) fixed and (b) freelysupported. The greatest percentage difference between these
limits will occur for the fundamental mode. For this mode for
a square plate, taking values from Table 1,
with four edges fixed
h,2 = 1.5064+1.5064+2. 1.2482
= 13.41
A, = 3.66
with three edges fixed and one freely-supported
hb2 = 1.254+1*5064+2.
1

The frequency equation for cylinders also gave three roots for
any nodal pattern; the lowest root corresponded to flexural
vibrations and the two higher roots to extensional vibrations.
For plates, if u and er are the displacements of a point (x, y) in
the X-Y-directions and w is the transverse displacement,

1.252(1--=-)1*248

= 10.49

& = 3.24

and
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THE VIBRATION OF RECTANGULAR PLATES

380

where A, B, and C are component amplitudes. From the amplitude ratios for cylinders [Arnold and Warburton 1949, equations
(17) and (re)] it follows that for plates,
for h1

A=B=O

for h2

(m- 1)b
C=Oand-A
=B
(n- 1)a

and for h3

(n- 1)a
C = O a n d --A=B
(m -1)b

TRANSVERSE V I B R A T I O N OF R E C T A N G U L A R P L A T E W I T H
O N E EDGE FREE A N D T H R E E EDGES F R E E L Y - S U P P O R T E D

Considering OC (Fig. 1) to be free and the other edges fieelysupported the waveform which satisfies the plate equation is

. -(rZ-l)+($+)}

w = sinotsin- n(n-l)y[ Asrn (n(n;1)2u

Thus, the vibrations associated with hl are transverse vibrations, and the frequency expression for hl agrees with that previously given [equation (16)]. The other roots give much higher
frequencies, as h/a must be small for a thin plate, and are associated with extensional vibrations; that is, the motion occurs
only in the plane of the plate.
Love (1927, p. 497) gives equations for extensional vibrations
of plates; by substituting u and w from equations (26) in his
equations, the expressions for X2 and h3, given in equations
(25b and c), can be obtained. For transverse vibrations the
boundary conditions considered were freely-supported, free,
and fixed; for extensional vibrations new definitions are necessary. In general, there are two conditionsfor the edge OY; these
conditions depend on whether that edge is free to move in the
X-direction. These conditions will be referred to as free and
restrained; in this section all edges of the plate are free. From
equation (26) it can be seen that there are m equally-spaced lines.
parallel to the Y-axis, including the edges, for which u = 0;
between these lines there are (m-1) lines for which u = 0.
Similarly, parallel to the X-axis there are n lines, including the
edges, for which u = 0 and n-1 lines for which u = 0. Thus
the only real nodes are a finite number of points, given by the
intersection of these two series of lines. Further investigation
shows the difference between the two types of mode associated
with h2 and A3 respectively. For the former type the plate edges,
x = 0, x = a,y = 0, and y = b, must be free from direct stress,
but a shear stress must be applied to the edges for the equilibrium equation to be satisfied. For the latter type no stresses are
applied to the edges. Thus equation (25c) gives the frequency of
extensional vibrations of rectangular plates with perfectly free
edges.
Plates with Two Parallel Sides Fixed and Two Freely-supported.
From the results for cylinders with fixed ends [Arnold and
Warburton 1953, equation (23)] a frequency equation is obtained
for plates of this type; the roots of the equation are
h12 =

d 2aZ
(m-+)4+(n-11)4-+-(m-+)2(n-l)2p
b4

for m = 3, 4, 5,
(m f ) T
m-+ is replaced by 1.506 for m = 2.
where p = l--

b2

+4(nr-f)z(n-l)$(1+~)2p]

A P P E N D I X I1

..

(27b and c)

. . . ;p = 0.550and

The lowest mot agrees with that given by equation (16) for
transverse vibrations; this is to be expected, as the theories for
cylinders and beams are both based on assuming the beam
vibration form between the fixed ends. The two higher mots
give the frequenciesof extensional vibrations for plates with two
parallel edges restrained and two free. As the waveform for a
cylinder with fixed ends is only approximate, the frequencies
given by equation (27) are also approximate, whilst those given
by equations (25) are exact, because the assumed waveform
[equation (26)] satisfies the plate equations.

From the boundary conditions

and the frequencies are given by

2fr2+l)f coth [T(#-l>a

~ ( r z + l ) + ]= 0. (30)

This equation has to be solved numerically for particular values

of (n-l)a/b and U.

A P P E N D I X I11
REFERENCES

ARNOLD, R. N., and WARBURTON,

G.B. 1949 P m .ROY.SOC.
A$ vol. 197, p. 238, Flexural Vibrations of the Walls of
Thin Cylindrical Shells Having Freely-supported Ends.
1953 Proc. 1.Mech.E. (A), vol. 167, p. 62, The Flexural
Vibrations of Thin Cylinders.
BARTON, M. V. 1951 Jl. of Applied Mechanics, Trans.
A.S.M.E., vol. 73, p. 129, Vibration of Rectangular and
Skew Cantilever Plates.
C
H
L
A
D
,N
I
E. F. F. 1802 Die Akustik.
1817 Neue Bietriige zur Akustik.
ESCHLBR,H. 1950 Ingenieur-Archiv, vol. 18, p. 330, Zur
Ermittlung der Eigenschwingungmhlen der in ihrer
Mittelebene belasteten Rechteckplatte.
GOLDMA,E. 1918 Anwendung der Ritzschen Methode auf
die Theorie der Transversalschwingn freischwingender Platten von rechteckiger, rhombischer, dreieckiger
und elliptischer B e g r m g (Dissertation, Breslau).
GRINSTID,B. 1952 Proc. 1.Mech.E. (A), vol. 166, p. 309,
Nodal Pattern Analysis.
M
R
A
,O
N
H
E
R. F. S. 1952 JI. of Applied Mechanics, Trans.
A.S.M.E., vol. 74, p. 402, The Frequency of Vibration of
Rectangular Isotropic Plates.
HOPKINS,
H.G. 1945 Aeronautical Research Council, Reports
and Memoranda No. 2234, The Solution of Small
Displacement, Stability or Vibration Problems Concerning a Flat Rectangular Plate when the Edges are
either Clamped or Simply-supported.
IGUCHI,S. 1938 Memoirs of the Faculty of Engineering,
Hokkaido Imperial University, Die Eigenwertprobleme
f i r die elastische rechteckige Platte.
1937 Ingedeur-Archiv, vol. 8, p. 11.
1938a Ingenieur-Archiv, vol. 9, p. 1.
KATO,H. 1932 J1. of the Society of Naval Architects, vol. 50,
p. 209.

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THE VIBRATION OF RECTANGULAR PLATES

LECGBTT,
D. M. A.

1941 Aeronautical Research Council,

Reports and Memoranda No. 1991, The Buckling of a
Square Panel Under Shear when One Pair of Edges is
Clamped and the Other Pair is Simply-supported.
LEMKE,
ALICE 1928 Annalen der Physik, Leipzig, fourth
series, vol. 86, p. 717, Experimentelle Untersuchungen
zur W. Ritzschen Theorie der Transversalschwingungen
quadratischer Platten.
LOVE,A. E. H. 1927 Mathematical Theory of Elasticity,
fourth edition (Cambridge University Press).
PAVLIK,B. 1936 Annalen der Physik, Leipzig, fifth series,
vol. 27, p. 532, Beitrag zur theoretischen und experimentellen Untersuchung der Biegungsschwingungen bei
rechteckigen Platten mit freien Riindern.
1937 Annalen der Physik, Leipzig, fifth series, vol. 28,
p. 632, Beitrag zur Untersuchung des Zusammenhanges
der bei Biegungsschwingungen an rechteckigen und
quadratischen Platten beobachteten Staubfiguren.
RAYLEIGH,
Lord 1894 Theory of Sound, vol. 1, second
edition (Macmillan and Co., London).
RITZ, W. 1909 Annalen der Physik, fourth series, vol. 28,
p. 737, Theorie der Transversalschwingungen einer
quadratischen Platte mit freien Riindern.
SEZAWA,K. 1931 Report of the Aeronautical Research
Institute, Tokyo Imperial University, No. 70, On the
Lateral Vibration of a Rectangular Plate Clamped at
Four Edges.
TIMOSHENKO,
S. 1937 Vibration Problems in Engineering,
second edition (Van Nostrand).

381

TOMOTIKA,
S. 1935 Report of the Aeronautical Research
Institute, Tokyo Imperial University, No. 129, Transverse Vibration of a Square Plate with Four Clamped
Edges.
1936 Phil. Mag., seventh series, vol. 21, p. 745, The
Transverse Vibration of a Square Plate Clamped at Four
Edges.
VOIGT,W. 1893 Nachrichten, Giittingen, p. 225, Bemerkung
zu dem Problem der transversalen Schwingungen
rechteckiger Platten.
WALLER,Mary D. 1939 Proc. Phys. SOC., vol. 51, p. 831,
Vibrations of Free Square Plates.
1949 Proc. Phys. SOC.(B), vol. 62, p. 277, Vibrations of Free
Rectangular Plates.
WEINSTEIN,
A. 1937 Memorial des Sciences Mathematiques,
No. 88, Etude des spectres des equations aux dtrivkes
partielles de la thbrie des plaques elastiques.
1951 Jl. of Applied Mech. Trans. A.S.M.E., vol. 73, p. 229,
Contributions to the Discussion of paper Vibration of
Rectangular Plates by the Ritz Method.
WEINSTOCK,
R. 1952 Calculus of Variations with Applications
to Physics and Engineering (McGraw-Hill, New York
and London).
YOUNG,D. 1950 Jl. of Applied Mechanics, Trans. A.S.M.E.,
vol. 72, p. 448, Vibration of Rectangular Plates by the
Ritz Method.
ZEISSIG,C. 1898 Annalen der Physik, Leipzig (Wiedemann),
vol. 64, p. 360, Ein einfacher Fall der transversalen
Schwingung einer rechteckigen elastischen Platte.

Communications
Mr. R. F. S. HEARMON
(Princes Risborough) wrote that the Rayleigh-Ritz method, had been able to derive for the fundaauthor had shown that the systematic application of beam mental frequency of the clamped oblique plate a closed formula
functions not only simplified the approximate derivation of the which was substantiallyindependent of the form assumed for W.
transverse frequencies of rectangular isotropic plates under all In the case of the supported oblique plate, Bereuter had been
possible boundary conditions, but also completely unified the unable to find any simple expression for W which satisfied the
boundary conditions, and, as a result, the Rayleigh-Ritz method
presentation of the results.
It was worth discussing briefly the possibility of applying proved unreliable. Bereuter, however, developed a finite-difbeam functions to plates which differed in specified ways from ferencemethod applicable to the supported plate, but the solution
was only slowly convergent with respect to the fineness of the net
those dealt with by the author and, in particular, with plates
into which the plate was divided, and thus the accuracy was not
(1) which were isotropic, but oblique;
high. The problem of buckling was closely allied to that of
(2) which were rectangular but anisotropic.
frequency, and Wittrick (1953)t had studied the buckling of the
(1) Barton (1951) had calculated the frequencies of the first clamped oblique plate. It was evident that there was some
two modes of oblique (or skew or swept) cantilever plates, having interest at the present time in oblique plates, and it seemed that
all sides the same length. He had used a series formed from the application of the authors beam function method might
suitable beam functions to represent the deflexion W and, in his yield results of considerable value.
(2) The differential equation and the potential energy
treatment, had limited the series to eighteen terms, but even so,
equation had been derived for a generally anisotropic plate (for
he had been unable to avoid somewhat complex calculations.
Bereuter (1946)* had obtained estimates for the fundamental example see Hearmon 1948)$, but the only case which had so
frequency of oblique plates with all edges either clamped or far proved amenable to treatment was the specially orthotropic
supported and of the clamped oblique plate with a concentrated plate (Hearmon and Adams 1952)9, that is, a plate made from a
mass at its mid-point. He had assumed straightforward trigonot WIITRICX,
W. H. 1953 Aeronautical Quarterly, vol. 4, p. 151,
metric or polynomial functions for W and,,by applying the Budding of Oblique Plates with Clamped Edges Under Uniform
Compression.
*BERBUTER,
R. 1946 Theoretische Untersuchungen iiber die
HFARMON,
R. F. S.,and ADAMS,E.H. 1952 British Jl. of Applied
Eigenfrequenz Parallelogramftrmiger Platten. Ecole Polytechnique Phys., vol. 3, p. 150, The Bending and Twisting of Anisotropic
Fedkrale Publications du Laboratoire de PhotdlasticitC No. 3. Plates.
Edition S. A. Leeman frkres et Cie, Stockerstrasse 64, Zurich.
HEARMON,
R. F. S. 1946 Proc. Phys. SOC. Lond., vol. 58, p. 78,
(Acknowledgement is made to Professor B. G. Johnston, University The Fundamental Frequency of Vibration of Rectangular Wood and
of Michigan, for drawing attention to this reference.)
Plywood Plates.

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COMMUNICATIONS ON THE VIBRATION OF RECTANGULAR PLATES

382

material possessing three perpendicular axes of elastic symmetry,

two of which lay in the plane of the plate, in directions parallel
and perpendicular to the plate edges. Expressions for the frequency of vibration had been derived for all the modes of the
simply-supported orthotropic plate, but only for the fundamental mode of the clamped plate (Hearmon 1946)*. However,
using the appropriate beam functions (equations (1Oa) and (lob))
in conjunction with the potential energy expression from
reference Hearmon (1948) or Hearmon (1946), the frequencies of
all the modes, except the fundamental of a clamped orthotropic
plate, were obtained as :

the difiicult question of single vibrations which had no separate

physical existence and of true combined modes.
The nodal systems for a square plate with fixed edges shown
in Fig. 2u were 3/1+ 1/3 and 3/1- 1/3 systems respectively, not
as stated, 4/2&2/4 systems. That might be made clear by considering the analogous (and theoretically simpler) case of a

m /n

where

- n / m .-*

.. .
...

y = (m-+>rr for m = 3a4a 5

c =

(n-+>rr for n = 3,4, 5

Dl,Dz,and D 3 were the flexural and torsional rigidities defined

in Hearmon (1948) and Hearmon (1946) and the other symbols

were defined as in the authors paper, exceptp, which represented
mass per unit volume. For an isotropic material
D, = D~ = o3= ~h3/12(1--*)
and equation (31) reduced to the equation given by the author
for the clamped isotropic plate.
The fundamental corresponded to m = n = 2; in the case in
question

where the numerical factors were given to three significant

figures.

The previous estimate (Hearmon 1946) had been obtained by

assuming
W = Kx32(u-x)2(b-y)2 sin w t

Fig. 7. Square Membrane (Theory)

Compare plate with fixed edges.

and gave for the fundamental mode :

Evidently, the two estimatesfrom equations (32) and (33) were in

good agreement, and M e r e d appreciably only in the n u m e r i d
factor of the third term; the effect of that difference on the
calculated frequencies was, however, small.
The above example showed that it was possible to apply the
beam functions to calculating the frequency of vibration of
anisotropic plates. There was no reason to expect difficulties
with boundary conditions other than clamped, and it was thus
possible in principle to construct a table similar to Table 1, but
valid for anisotropic instead of isotropic plates.

ti

Imlm
I-----

1I

(London) wrote that it had been stated

Dr. MARYD. WALLER
in the paper that, the analysis is based on the ordinary theory of
thin plates. That assumed that the principle of superposition
was valid, namely, that a stationary wave in one direction was
unaffected in frequency or amplitude by the superposition of a
second stationary wave of the same frequency at right angles to
it. It then followed that, as the author had remarked, When m
L--is odd and n is even (or wice wersa) for a free square plate . . two
$.
modes m a y vibrate together and an infinite number of nodal
Fig. 8. Free Square Plate (Experimental)
patterns is theoretically possible, corresponding to combinations
of the modes m/n and n/m, with varying amplitude ratios and
phase angles. This was orthodox theory. She had, however,
shown (Waller 1952)t that Such additionalmodes were impossible
and that the displacements of free-vibrating surfaces of geometrical shapes must be mechanically-balanced about one or
more lines of w e t r y . She had also discussed ( W d e r 1953)$ vibrating membrane some of whose nodal systems were shown
in Fig. 7. They corresponded to the formula
* HEARMON,
R. F. S. !948 Forest Products Research Laboratory,
Special Re rt No. 7, Elasticity of Wood and Plywood (H.M.
m X
mx
z = s i n - s i n ~ & s i n - s i n ~ =a O
(34)
Stationery &ice,
London).
U
U
a
t WALLER,MARY
D. 1952 Proc. ROY.SOC.(A), V O ~ . 211, p. 265,
Vibrations of Free Plates : Line Symmetry: Corresponding Modes.
$ w m m , m y I>. 1953 ACU(tjCa, ~01.3, P. 370, Concerning where, for the case in question m = 3 and n = 1 and wice verso.
Fig. 7 might be compared with Fig. 8 (which was part of a
Combined and Degenerate Vibrations of Plates.

. . .

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383
AUTHORS R E P L Y ON THE VIBRATION OF RECTANGULAR PLATES
Dr. Waller had misinterpreted his notation, when she had
diagram in Waller 1939) which related to the free square plate.
The nodal systems of a hypothetical free membrane could be stated that the nodal patterns for a square plate with fixed edges
shown in Fig. 2a were not 4/2f2/4.The author had defined
similarly arranged and their equation would read
ma n as the number of nodal lines in the X and Y directions
respectively; if an edge were freely-supported or fixed, it was
e=com
s - xc o s ~ f c o s n ~ c o s ~ = O
(35)
a
U
included in the number of nodal lines in the relevant direction.
giving m = 2, n = 0 or erice oersa, for the square nodal systems Thus for a plate with all its edges fixed, there were at least two
so marked in Fig. 2b.
nodes in each direction, and patterns such as 3/1+1/3 and
311- 113 were impossible. That notation could be applied to all
boundary conditions without any inconsistency occurring, .and
was convenient because the nodal patterns consisted of h e s
approximatelyparallel to the sides of the plate for most boundary
conditions. Dr. Waller had considered m and n to be the number
of half waves in the X and Y directions respectively; that was
AUTHORS R E P L Y
shown by the form of equations (34)and (35).
Orthodox theory predicted that when m was odd and tz was
Dr. G. B. WARBURTON
wrote, in reply to the communications,
that the possibility of applying beam functions to plates, other even (or vice aersa) for a free square plate, two modes of equal
than rectangular isotropic plates, as suggested by Mr. Hearmon, frequency might vibrate together and an infinite number of
was very interesting. He agreed with Mr. Hearmon that the nodal patterns was possible. Dr. Waller had pointed out that
application of the beam function method might give valuable such patterns were impossible to obtain experimentally; she
results for some boundary conditions for oblique isotropic called them degenerate modes (Waller 1953). However, in that
plates. Probably an oblique cantilever plate was an exception; paper she had admitted that for particular values of m and n
there were discrepancies between the theoretical and experi- two patterns might be obtained, similar to those of two degenerate
mental results of Barton (1951) for that case, although he had modes, owing to faulty experimentation or lack of uniformity
used a series of eighteen terms to represent W.Barton had of the plate. That result was to be expected from a consideraconcluded that the Rayleigh-Ritz method, using beam deflexion tion of the effects of small imperfections on the vibrations of a
forms, was suitable for that type of plate only if the angles of the plate.
In the papers quoted in her contribution to the discussion
plate were between 60 and 120 deg. Thus, the beam function
method was likely to be inaccurate for the oblique cantilever (Waller 1952 and 1953)Dr. Waller had considered the classes of
plate. However, frequencies obtained for oblique plates with symmetry of the nodal patterns for vibrations of free plates of
other boundary conditions might be accurate, as the work on various forms. For a free square plate six classes of symmetry
rectangular plates had shown that it was difficult to apply his had been given ;two of them included all the patterns for which
(m-n) was an odd number, and the remaining four classes those
own method to a cantilever plate.
It seemed that his own method could be expected to give patterns for which (m-n) was an even number and m and n
frequencies for anisotropic rectangular plates with a fair degree were equal. The four latter classes had been defined in terms of
of accuracy. For the specially orthotropic clamped plate, their lines of symmetry, the two diagonals and the two medians
mentioned by Mr. Hearmon, values of the fundamental natural of the square, as given below :frequency had been given in a paper by Kanazawa and Kawai
(a) both diagonals and both medians antinodal (for
(1952)*. The method was similar to that of Tomotika (1935),
example, patterns for modes 2/0+0/2and 212, Fig. 8);
successive approximations being obtained for MY required
(b) both diagonals and both medians nodal;
frequency. Unfortunately, for anisotropic plates, only the first
(c) both diagonals antinodal and both medians nodal (for
approximations for the frequency factor h had been given for
example, pattern for mode 111, Fig. 8);
various values of DI/D, and 0 2 / 0 3 between and 3.The author
(d) both diagonals nodal and both medians antinodal (for
had compared the values of h given by Kanazawa and Kawai with
example, pattern for mode 210 -012, Fig. 8).
those obtained from equations (32) and (33) for a square plate.
Over the above range of values of D11D3 and D2/D3,equation
Dr. Waller had stated that if the patterns of a free square plate
(32), based on the beam function method, always gave the lowest
value of A; the corresponding values of frequency given by were tabulated as in Fig. 8, which could be extended indefinitely
equation (33)were up to 1 per cent higher, and those of Kanazawa downwards and to the right, the classes of symmetry repeated
and Kawai were up to 1.5 per cent higher. As the Rayleigh themselves in every four columns and every two rows. Thus the
method always gave frequencies higher than the exact values, class of symmetry for modes 2/0-0/2, 610-016.. .a 212,
the frequencies obtained from equation (32) had the smallest 4/2+2/4,6/2+2/6. ., should be the same. The nodal patterns
error. The fundamental frequencies of specially orthotropic of a free square plate had been obtained experimentally and
square plates with other boundary conditions (combinations of analytically, and had been given for many modes by Chladni
fixed and freely-supported edges), had been given by Kanazawa (1802), Ritz (1909), Lemke (1928)a Waller (1939), and Grinsted
(1952). A study of any of those papers showed that the classes of
and Kawai.
They had also tabulated frequencies for two or three modes of symmetry, as defined above, did not repeat themselves in every
isotropic rectangular plates with one or more edges clamped and four columns and every two rows. For instance, it was obvious
the rest freely-supported. In some cases they had given only a from Fig. 8 that the patterns for modes 210-012 and 212 did
first approximation, but in others they had included better not belong to the same class of symmetry.
He did not find any law governing the repetition of classes of
approximations; they had compared their values of frequency
with those of other Japanese workers (for example, Iguchi (1938), symmetry; Merent laws were applicable, depending on whether
Sezawa (1931)a Kato (1932)a and Tomotika (1935)), where the mode was to the left or to the right of the diagonal line,
available. His own values of frequency from equation (16)were representing modes for which m = n, in Fig. 8. However, the
always lower than the first approximations of Kanazawa and various modes could be divided amongst the above four classes
Kawai and sometimes lower than their second approximations. of symmetry as given below :Comparing the errors in the Merent methods applied to isotropic and orthotropic plates, it appeared that frequencies Class (a) modes m/n+n/m when both m and n were even; also
modes 2/29414,616 . . .;
obtained for orthotropic plates with combinations of fixed and
(b) modes mln-nlm when m and n were both odd, but
freely-supported edges would be accurate, if the appropriate
unequal;
beam functions, equations (9)a (lo), and (13), were used for the
plate displacement.
(c) modes m/n+n/m when both m and n were odd; also
modes 111, 313,515 .
KANAuWAa Tea and KAWAIa T.1952 pro^. Second Japan National
(d) modes mln-nlm when m and n were both even, but
Congress for Applied Mechanics, p. 333, Onthe Lateral Vibration of
Anisotropic RectPngular Plates (Studed by the Integral Equation).
unequal.

...

. .;

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AUTHORS R E P L Y O N THE V I B R A T I O N OF RECTANGULAR P L A T E S

He had stated that the value of the frequency factor, A, obtaining the patterns of Fig. 2 (b and c), the frequency factors
depended on Poissons ratio u if one or more edges of the plate of Fig. 3 (b and c), and curves I1 and I11 in Fig. 4. However, any

384

were free. The value of u also affected the nodal patterns obtained
for modes of the types m/nfn/m. Those effects were small, but
it should be noted that a value of u = 0.3 had been assumed in

other practical value of u would have little effect on the results

plotted in Figs. 2 and 4; the effect on frequency of varying values
of u was usually s m a l l and could be obtained from equation (16).

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