1

Thin Plates

z,w

x,u

h/2

y,v

Middle surface
( Middle plane )

( Undeformed middle surface is located in the x y plane )

Assumptions :
(1)

Points on normals to the undeformed middle surface before bending remain

on straight lines which are normal to the deformed middle surface

This assumption is justifiable if the thickness h is very small compared
with the lateral dimensions of the plates.
This implies that there is no shear distortion and that
xx , yy , xy >> zx , zy
( compare to plane section remain plane in beam bending )
(2)

The stress z is small compared with the other stress components and may

be neglected in the stress strain relations.

zz = 0
This assumption is justifiable if

is small compared to the laterall

dimensions. ( also in the small deflection theory )

(3)

In absence of in plane load, due to bending, the strain in the middle surface

vanish.
xx =

xy =

yy =

( at middle surface )

This assumption is justifiable if the deflection is small compared with the

thickness of the plates i.e., if

w < h / 2.

( small deflection theory of thin plates )

Notation of Stresses
x
rear side
front side

z
front side

xx
xy

xz

For a complete description of a stress, we have to specify not only its

magnitude, direction and sense but also the surface upon which it acts. For
examples :
Force has only subscript denoting its directions.
Stress has two subscripts ; One, say the first subscript denotes the plane on
which it acts, and the other, or the second subscript, denoting its direction.

Sign Convention
A normal stress is defined as positive if it is a tensile stress i.e., if it is
directed away from the surface upon which it acts.

Stresses on front sides of element are positive if acting in positive directions

of coordinate axes.
Stresses on rear sides of element are positive if acting in negative directions
of coordinate axes.

Stress and Strain Components

Stresses
xx

xy

xz

Note the symmetry about its main diagonal

yx

yy

yz

xy = yx , yz = zy , zx = xz

zx

zy

zz

6 stress components

subscripts are interchangeable

xx

yy

zz

- normal stress components

xy

yz

zx

- shearing stress components

xx

xy

xz

yx

yy

yz

zx

zy

zz

Strains

6 strain components

xy = yx , yz = zy , zx = xz

xx

yy

zz

- normal strain components

xy

yz

zx

- shear strain components

Displacements

There are 3 displacements components u , v , w

All of them are positive in the directions of positive axes.

Equilibrium Conditions

Consider an element without body forces

xy
xx
xz

0
x
y
z

j ji f l 0

yx
yy
yz

0
x
y
z
zy
zx
zz

0
x
y
z

Stress strain Relations xx

xx

yy
zz
xy
yz
zx

E
1

E
1

E
1
2G
1
2G
1
2G

ij

ij kk ij
E yy
E

zz

xx yy zz

yy zz xx

zz xx yy

xy
yz
zx

(1)

(2)

Of the 3 elastic constants E , , G only 2 are independent. They are

related by the relation
G

where

Youngs Modulus of Elasticity

Poissons Ratio

G =

Shear Modulus

Strain Displacement Relations

xx u
x

E
2 (1 )

yy

ij

v
y

1
i u j ju i
2

zz w
z
(3)

xy

1 u v
1 v w
1 w u

, yz
, zx

2 y x
2 z y
2 x
z
Eq. (1) contains 3 equations with 6 dependent variables
Eq. (2) contains 6 equations with 6 dependent variables
Eq. (3) contains 6 equations with 3 dependent variables
Hence we have 15 equations with 15 dependent variables

( There are 6 stress components, 6 strain components, and 3 displacement

components )

Bending of Thin Plates

Undeformed Position

( x , y)
A

h/2
h/2

x
w / x

Deformed Position
h/2
h/2
w(x , y)

u = - w / x

w / x

( is positive downward )

w / x

A
w / x

Due to deflection w(x,y) , the displacement

components u , v of point
w

A(x, y,) are

x
w
y

(4)

Substituting (4) in the strain displacement relations (3) leads to

xx

u
2 w

xx
x
x2

yy

v
2 w

yy
y
y2

xy

1
2

u v

y x

(5)

2 w

xy
xy

where xx , yy , xy are the curvatures.

Positive direction of xx , yy , xy
x
w
x
2w
dx
x2

dx

xx = change in slope per unit distance =

Similarly,

yy

- direction
yy

w w
w 2w

d x

dx
x x x
x
x2

w 2w
w

d x
2
2
x x
x w
dx
x2

change in slope in y direction per unit distance in y

w 2w
w

d y
2
y y
y
dy

i.e., slope is positive when tension is created on the top.

2w
y2

xy

is the change in slope in x direction per unit distance in y direction

x
or the change in slope in y direction per unit distance in x direction.

dy

w
x

w
w

dy

x
y x

xy

Similarly, yx

w
w
2w

d y
x xy
x
dy

2w
xy

xy i.e., the subscript is interchangeable.

( the twist curvature is positive if slope increase when one goes along the positive
direction )
Moment Curvature Relations

x
1 unit
dA = (1)d = d
1 unit

xy

z
h/2
h/2
dA = (1)d = d

xx

yx
yy

( xy = yx )

10

Mx

xx d A

d Mx

My
M xy

xx

yy d

dM

xy

M yx

dM

xy d A xy d
h
A

yx

d A

d M

yx

(6)

yx

xy

From the stress strain relation eq.(2) , write the stresses in terms of strains

E
xx yy
1 2
E
yy xx

2
1
E

xy
1

xx

yy

xy

(7)

Substituting the strain displacement relation (5) in eq.(7) leads to

2w
2w

2
y2
x
2w
2w

2
x2
y

E
1 2
E

1 2

xx
yy

xy

E
1

2w
xy

Finally, substituting eq.(8) in eq.(6) yields

2w
E h3
2w

Mx

12 1 2 x 2
2 y 2

or

M yx

(8)

2w
2w
D

2
y2
2 w h2 x

w
2

2
2
h
xw y 2 w

E
Mx
1 2

E h3
My
12 1 2

2
2
2w
2w

2 D
2
2
2
x
x
y
y

E h3
M xy
12 1

2w

x y

2w
D (1 )

x y

11

Similarly
(9)

E h3
D
12 ( 1 2 )

where

D is called the FLEXURAL RIGIDITY of the plate.

The equivalent of D in beam theory is EI.
Eq.(9) gives the moment curvature relations i.e.,

M x D ( xx yy )
(10)

M y D ( yy xx )
M yx M xy D (1 ) xy
where

xx

1
rxx

, yy

1
ryy

and

M x EI

In beam theory,

xy

1
rxy

2w
x2

Stress Distribution on Section

From eq.(8)

E
1 2

2w
2w

2
2

E Mx
12

3 Mx
2
1 D
h
12
y 3 My
h

xy

12
M xy
h3

(11)

12

Which indicates a linear stress distribution as expected ; the maximum

6
stresses occur(
atx ) max
= (hx )/ 2 h i.e.,

Mx
2

( y ) max

( y ) h

( xy ) max

( xy ) h

6
My
h2
6
2 M xy
h

(12)

x , x , x >> xz , yz , zz = 0
small
x
xz
y

xy
z

h/2

x
-

yz

- xy

Due to + Qx

Due to + Mxy
+
Due to + Mx

h/2

+
Due to + Myx
Due to + My
Due to + Qy

Equilibrium of an Element of the Plates

x + dx
x

Qy
Myx
z

Mx

Qx

My

q(x , y)

My

My
y

M xy
dy

M yx

M yx
y

dy

Qx
dx
x

Mx
dx
x

Mx

Mxy
y + dy

Qx

M xy
x

dx

Qy

Qy
y

dy

13

( positive directions of stresses are as indicated in fig. )

Shear stress resultants

Qx , Qy

unit F/L

i.e., lb / in

Moment stress resultants Mx , My , Mxy unit FL/L i.e., lb in / in = lb

Fx 0
Fy 0
Fz 0

Identically satisfied when we limit the loading

Mx 0

system to forces acting normal to x y plane.

My 0
Mz 0
3 Equilibrium Equations
Fz = 0

downward positive
Qy

Qx
d x d y Q x d y Q y
d y d x Q y d x q d x d y 0
x
y

Q x

Qy
Qx

q 0
x
y

in beam

Qy
y

Mx = 0

equation still holds

d Qx
q 0
dx

( summation of moments about x axis equals zero )

My
M xy

M y d x M y
d y d x M xy
d x d y M xy d y
y
x

Qy

dy
dy
Q y
d y d x
Qy d x
0
y
2
2

(13 a)

14

( neglect the higher order terms )

My

M xy

Qy 0

i.e.
Qy

My
y

M xy
x

My
y

M yx

(13 b)

Similarly
Qx

M yx
Mx

x
y

(13 c)

Conclusion : We have from 3 equilibrium conditions the following equations.

Qy
Qx

q 0
x
y

(a)

Qy

My
M yx

y
x

(b)

Qx

M yx
Mx

x
y

(c)

(13)

We have 3 equations (13 a, b, c) with 5 dependent variables M x , My ,

Mxy , Qx , and Qy . Thus the problem is statically indeterminate.
Substituting the moment curvature relation (9) in eq.(13 b, c) leads to
Qx D

2w
2w
2w

D
(
1

)
x x2
y 2
y x y

15
D

2w
2w

x x2
y 2

or
Similarly

where

Qx D

2w
x

Qy D

2w
y

2
2

x2
y2

(a)

(b)

Harmonic Operator

Note : Qx and Qy are not generalized forces, they do not produce any
internal energy ; and they are not obtained directly in terms of displacements but
through the equilibrium conditions.
Finally, substituting eq.(14 a,b) in eq.(13 a) yields
D

2
2
2
(

w
)

D
( 2 w ) q
x2
y2

2
2

2
y2
x

2 w

4w

where

2 2 w

or

(15)

2
2
4 2 2

2
y2
x

Plate Equation

4
4
4

2

4
2
2
x y
y 4
x

Biharmonic operator
Eq.(15) is equivalent, in beam problem, to

d4w
dx4

EI

Summary
Equilibrium Conditions
Qy
Qx

q 0
x
y
Qy

My
y

M yx
x

16

Qx

M yx
Mx

x
y

(16)

Stress Strain Relations

M x D ( xx yy )
(17)

M y D ( yy xx )
M yx M xy D (1 ) xy
Strain Displacement Relations

xx

2 w

x2

yy

2 w

y2

xy

2 w

xy

(18)

Equations

Dependent Variables

(16)

Qx , Qy , Mx , My , and Mxy

(17)

3 curvature functions

(18)

1 displacement function w

9 equations

unknowns

Coordinate Transformation

17

Zeta
Eta

rotation of element
Shear Stress Resultants
Qys sin

Qy
Qx

Qxs cos
s cos

s sis sin
s

Q s
Q

Q s Q x s cos Q y s sin

Q Q x cos Q y sin

(19 a)

Replacing by / 2 + in eq.(19 a) leads to

Q Q x sin Q y cos

Q
Qy
Qx

/2

3/2

5/2

- Qx
- Qy

Graph of Q versus
Coordinate Transformation : Moment Stress Resultants

(19 b)

18
x

Mx

Mxy

Myx

My

Myx s sin
s cos
Mx s cos
Mxy s cos

My s sin
s sin
s M s

M s

M = 0 ( summation moment about axis equals zero ) gives

M s M x s cos cos M y s sin sin

M xy s cos sin M yx s sin cos 0

M M x cos 2 M y sin 2 2 M xy sin cos

M

M = 0

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

gives
M

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

(20 a)

(20 b)

Replacing by / 2 + in eq.(20 a) leads to

M

and

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

M M

(20 c)

(20 d)

19

Boundary Conditions
Since the plate equation is of order four, the solution requires 4 constants of
integration and we can find 2 boundary conditions on each edge.
Clamped Edge ( Fixed or Built In Edge )
o

x=a

z
Fixed edge

If the edge of the plate is clamped, the deflection along this edge is zero, and
the tangent plane to the deflected middle surface along this edge coincides with the
initial position of the middle plane of the plate.
If the plate is clamped along the edge x = a, then
w (a , y) 0
w

If w(a,y) = 0 then

and by differentiating

2 w

2
y

0
x a

(21)

0
x a

0
x a

and

4 w

4
y

0
x a

20

( no curvature in y direction )
Simply Supported Edge
x = a x

The boundary conditions at

are :

w (a , y ) 0

M
x

x a

x = a

(22)

If the edge x = a is simply supported, the deflection along this edge must
be zero, and there are no bending moments Mx along this edge.
From (22 b)

M
x

x a

2w
2w

2
y 2
x

x a

2w
2w

2
y 2
x

(23)

x a

Since by eq,(22 a), (w) x = a = 0 , then

w

x a

2w

2
y

x a

2w

2
x

x a

(24)

In view of (23) and (24)

0

In view of (22) , (24) and (25) ; the boundary conditions becomes

(w ) x a 0

(25)

21

Problem 1 :

2w
2w
w x a

2
y2
x

2w
2w

x2
y2

(26)

2w
2w

2
2

Solution :

By Geometry
x cos y sin

x sin y cos

(x , y)
( , )

0
x a

2 w is invariant i.e.,

Show that

or

x cos sin
y sin cos

Then

By Chain Rule

x
cos

sin

y
sin

cos

(1)

w x
w y

x
y

(1)
cos

w
w
sin
x
y

2 w
2 w x
2 w y

cos

cos

2
x2
x y

sin

2 w y
2 w x

sin

y2
x y

(1)
2 w
2 w
2 w
2
cos
2 cos sin
sin
x2
xy
y2
2

(2)

22

Similarly by using Chain Rule

w

w x
w y

x
y

(1)
sin

w
w
cos
x
y

2 w
2 w x
2 w y

sin

sin

2
x2
x y
cos

2 w y
2 w x

cos

y2
x y

(1)
sin 2

2 w
2 w
2 w
2

2
cos

sin

cos

x2
x y
y2

(3)

Combining equations (2) and (3) leads to

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

(
sin

cos

(
sin

cos

)
2
2
x2
y2

2w
2w

x2
y2

Q.E.D.

23

Problem :
Show that the solution for a uniformly loaded Elliptical Plate with a clamped
edge can be taken as

where

x2
y2
1 2 2
a
b

x2
y2
w wo 1 2 2
a
b

is the equation of the boundary of the plate and

find wo such that the deflection function satisfies the plate equation

4 w

qo

Solution :
Ellipse 1

x2
y2

a2
b2

a
x
b

Clamped edge

The boundary conditions are

w 0

At the boundary

w
0

x2
y2
w wo 1 2 2
a
b

(1)

(2)

24

w x
x

w y
y

w
x2
y2
2x
2y

2 w o 1 2 2 2 cos 2 sin

a
b
a
b

(3)

The equation of the boundary is

x2
y2

w wo 1 2 2
a
b

(4)

Therefore at the boundary, in view of (4)

w 0

and

w
0

, thus satisfies the b.c. (1)

By successive differentiation,
4 w

x4

24 w o
a4

8wo
4 w

2
2
x y
a 2 b2

(5)

24 w o
4 w

4
y
b4

Since (2) must satisfy the plate equation

qo
4 w
4 w
4 w

4
2
2
4
x
x y
y
D

Subst. (5) in (6) leads to

24
16
24
2 2 4
4
a b
b
a

w o

qo
D

Therefore
wo

qo
24
16
24
4 2 2 4 D
a b
b
a

(6)

25

The deflection function is given by (2)

qo
w
24
16
24
4 2 2 4 D
a b
b
a

x2
y2
1 2 2
a
b

Ans.
Plate with Free Edge
x=ax

If x = a is a free edge, the boundary conditions are

M
x

Q x

x a

M xy

(27)

suggested

by

Kirchhoff

explained by Kelvin and Tait.

x a

or Vx 0

dy

dy

is equivalent to

dy

dy

Mxydy

M xy

Mxy

M xy
dy
y

M xy

M yx

resultant is an upward force

M xy
y
Qx

Vx

and

26

effective shear stress

Vx = supplemented shear stress resultant

Vx

Vy

similarly

Qx

Qy

M xy

Qx

M yx
y

(28)

M yx
x
Vx

Consequence of

Qx

M yx
y

M xy
z

M xy

function has a jump ( discontinuity )

Mxy Mxy

equivalent to a concentrated force

x

Corner Force
Right corner
y

z
Myx

Mxy

Mxy
Myx

R = Mxy - Myx = 2Mxy

R = 2Myx

27

Positive downward

The corner force R at a right corner is equal to

R

2 M xy 2 M yx

(29)

Corner
Consider a plate simply supported along x axis and axis
x

Mx = My = 0

M = M = 0

Consider Eq.(20 a, b, c)
M

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

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

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

From (20)

At the corner, the equations hold true.

Since

Mx = My = M = M = 0 at this corner, we have

M xy sin 2 0
M M xy cos 2

Case 1

If

/ 2 then sin 2 0

(30)

28

and so Mxy = 0 , also M = 0

Therefore there is no corner force.
Case 2

= / 2 then sin 2 = 0

If

and so Mxy 0 , also M 0

Hence there is corner force.
R

M yx

Vx Q x

Q x Qx

Case 1

Case 2
Summary

4w

Plate Equation :

q
D

(a)

4w
4w
4w

x4
x 2 y2
y4

4w

Mx

2w
2w

2
y 2
x

2w
2w

2
x 2
y

Moments :

My

M xy

Qx

D
2w
x

Qy

M yx

D (1 )

(b)
(c)

2w
xy

(d)

Shear Stresses :

(31)

2w
y

Supplemented Shear Stresses :

Vx

Qx

M yx
y

(e)
(f)

29

(g)
Vy

Qy

M yx

(h)

Corner Force :
R

2 M xy 2 M yx

(i)