PLATE BENDING THEORY

BY PRAYUSH RAJBHANDARI
074/MSStE/016
M.Sc. Program in Structural Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
Central Campus, Pulchowk

Abstract
Plates are the common engineering structure which are extensively used in many engineering applications such
as those in roof and floor of buildings, deck slab of bridges, foundation of footing, water tanks, bulk head, turbine
disks and others. A plate subjected to transverse loading will deflect in the direction of the load. Such deflections
are frequently encountered in practice and as a result of this, plate bending is of an utmost important structural
model in engineering. We discuss here the types of plates, the basis of plate bending, the theories involved in
plate bending and the assumptions involved in these theories, the boundary conditions to be implemented to
obtain the solution, variational principle and buckling of plates. Some solution of plate bending theory has been
presented here in cartesian coordinate system and in cylindrical polar coordinates.

Keywords
Plate Bending, Kirchhoff’s Thin Plate, Boundary condition, Variational principle, Buckling problem, Stress
analysis, Circular Plates.

Introduction
A plate is a flat two-dimensional structural element for which the thickness is small compared with the surface
dimensions, i.e., one of the dimensions is small compared to the in-plane dimensions. The thickness is usually
constant but may be variable and is measured normal to the middle surface of the plate. These plates resist the
load applied on them and the load on the plate is applied perpendicular to the center plane of the plate.

Flat plates are extensively used in many engineering applications such as those in roof and floor of buildings,
deck slab of bridges, foundation of footing, water tanks, bulk head, turbine disks and others. Plate used in such
applications are normally subjected to lateral loads causing bending of the plate.

‘Bending of plates’ or simply ‘Plate bending’ is the flexural deformation of a plate in the direction perpendicular
to the plane of the plate under the action of external forces and moments. The amount of deflection can be
determined by solving the differential equations of an appropriate plate theory. Once the deflections are known,
the stresses in the plate can be calculated from the deflections. We can then use the failure theories to
determine whether a plate will fail under a given load.

In plate theory, one generally distinguishes the plates as either a thin plate or a thick plate with the following
conditions:

1. Thick plates with a three-dimensional stress state. As a rule of thumb, plates with b / h < 5 and a > b fall in this
category.

2. Thin plates with small deflections. As a rule of thumb, plates with b / h > 5 and w < h / 5 fall in this category.
These are the plates we will study here.

3. Thin plates with large deflections. As a rule of thumb, plates with b / h > 5 and w > h / 5 fall in this category.
We will not address plates with large deflections here.

1
 Theory
Small Deflection Theory/ Kirchhoff’s Thin Plate Bending theory/ Classical Plate Theory:
If the thickness of the plate is very small compared to the other two dimensions, then such a plate can be called
as thin plate. A plate can be considered as thin if the ratio of the thickness to the lesser of the two dimensions
is less than 0.05. The simplest and the most widely used plate theory is classical small deflection theory based
on Love-Kirchhoff’s hypothesis.

Assumption in Kirchhoff’s thin plate theory:

These assumptions allow us to reduce the elasticity equations to one differential equation describing the plate-
bending problem

1. Plate material is linear elastic and follows Hooke's law

2. The plate material is homogeneous and isotropic. Its elastic deformation is characterized by Young's
modulus E and Poisson's ratio ʋ.
3. The thickness of the plate is small compared to its lateral dimensions. The normal stress in the
transverse direction can be neglected compared to the normal stresses in the plane of the plate.
4. Points that lie on a line perpendicular to the center plane of the plate remain on a
straight line perpendicular to the center plane after deformation.
5. The deflection w of the plate is small compared to the plate thickness. The curvature of the plate after
deformation can then be approximated by the second derivative of the deflection.
6. The center plane of the plate is stress free, i.e., we can neglect the membrane stresses in the plate.
7. Loads are applied in a direction perpendicular to the center plane of the plate.

Basic Differential Equations:

Strain-Displacement Relations:

Figure 1

In the above figure, the displacement u along x of any point P at a level z measured from the neutral plane is
shown. The final diagram is the resulting from the superposition of the two cases which are as follows:

1. Linear Variation of u(=u1)=uo due to moments only where at the neutral surface no displacement exists.
-u1=z
Similarly, the other component along y
-v1=z

2
 2. Uniform Variation of u(=u2)=uo due to stretching of the mid plane by an amount u0 along x.
Thus, u2=uo
Similarly, for the other component along y,
V2=vo

Therefore, for bending associated with stretching, the two displacement components at any level z are
u=u1+ u2= u0- z = u0- zβx
v=v1+ v2= v0- z = v0- zβy
If the stretching effect is absent (u0==v0=0)
u=- z = - zβx ………………….(1)
v=- z = - zβy …………………..(2)
Where, Bx and By are the two rotations about y and x axis respectively.

The displacements u and v can be expressed in terms of w alone so that the total number of displacements
reduce to one from three.

The strain-displacement relation

εx= , εy= ,ϒxy= + …………………………(3)

From equations 1,2 and 3 we can obtain the strain curvature relation as,

εx=-z = z Kx , εy=-z = z Ky , ϒxy= -2z = -2z Kxy ………………….(4)

.

In other words, the strain components vary linearly through the plate thickness and are zero on the center plane.

Stress-strain relations:
The stress-strain relation can be expressed by using Hooke’s Law in terms of Young’s Modulus of Elasticity E and
Poisson’s ratio ʋ.

εx= [σx- ʋ σy]…………….(5a)

εy= [σy- ʋ σx] …………….(5b)

( ʋ)
ϒxy= ԏxy…………….(5c)

Solving equation 5, 6 and 7 to obtain σx , σy and ԏxy , we get,

σx = ʋ
[εx + ʋ εy]………………(6a)

σy = ʋ
[εy + ʋ εx] ………………(6b)

ԏxy = [ϒxy] ………………(6c)

( ʋ)

On using equation 4 on equations 6a, 6b and 6c, we get

σx = - ʋ
[ +ʋ ]………………..(7a)

σy = - ʋ
[ +ʋ ] ………………..(7b)

ԏxy = -
( ʋ)
[
.
] ………………..(7c)

Like the strain components, the stress components vary linearly through the plate thickness. From these
equations, it is obvious that if we know the deflection of the plate, we can calculate most relevant stress and

3
strain components. However, we haven't mentioned the vertical shear stresses yet. These are important as they
will ensure vertical equilibrium of the plate, but we cannot yet calculate them at this point.

Moment-Curvature Relations:
Let Mx and My are bending moments per unit length, parallel to the
x and y-axes respectively; Mxy and Myx are twisting moments per unit length; qx and qy are transverse forces
per unit length. We have taken these quantities to be positive if they cause a positive stress at a point with
positive z-coordinate.
/ /
Mx=∫ /
σx 𝑧 𝑑𝑧 = ʋ
[ +ʋ ]∫ /
𝑧 𝑑𝑧 = D [Kx + ʋ Ky ]…………(8a)

/ /
My=∫ /
σy 𝑧 𝑑𝑧 = ʋ
[ +ʋ ]∫ /
𝑧 𝑑𝑧 = D [Ky + ʋ Kx ]…………(8b)

/ ( ʋ) /
Mxy=Myx=∫ /
−ԏxy 𝑧 𝑑𝑧 = ʋ
[ .
]∫ /
𝑧 𝑑𝑧 = D(1-ʋ) [Kxy]…………(8c)

.
Where, D= = Plate Rigidity
( ʋ )

Equilibrium equations:
For equilibrium, we must also consider the load distributed over the upper surface of the plate. The intensity of
this load we denote by q, so that the load acting on the element is q dx dy. Noting that the transverse shear
forces and the moments act per unit length of the element, the equilibrium equations for the loaded plate
elements are:

Projecting all the forces acting on the element onto

the z-axis we obtain the following of equilibrium:

[ Qx + dx]dy-[Qx]dy + [ Qy + dy]dx-[Qy]dx +
[q]dxdy=0

From which, we obtain

+ +q = 0…………………(9)

Taking moments of all the forces acting on the

element with respect to the x-axis, we obtain the
equation of equilibrium as

Figure 2

dxdy - dydx +Qy dxdy = 0

The contribution from the external loading q nd Mxy(=Myx) are absent and the product of smaller quantities
larger than second order is neglected.

- +Qy = 0……………(10)

Similarly, by taking moments with respect to the y-axis, we obtain,

- +Qx = 0……………(11)

Plate equation:
The three equilibrium equations can be combined into a single equation on eliminating Qx and Qy in equations
9, 10 and 11

4
From equation 10,

Qy = - ……………………(12a)

= - ……………………(12b)
.

Similarly, from eqn 11,

Qx = - ……………………(13a)

= - ……………(13)
.

Using equation 12, 13 and 9, we get,

+ -2 +q =0……………….(14)
.

This is the single equilibrium equation of rectangular plates of uniform thickness under continuous loading q
which can be expressed in terms of the displacement w using the moment curvature relations.

Now,

=-D[ +ʋ ]

=-D[ +ʋ ]

-2 = - D [(2 − 2ʋ) ]
.

Adding these together and substituting in equation 14, we get,

-D[ +2 + ]+q=0 ………………………….(15a)

.

4w=q/D (This equation is known as Sophie Germain’s Equation) ………………………….(15b)

4 is known as biharmonic operator where 4 =[ +2 + ] =2(2)

.

2 is known as Laplace operator= +

If, for a particular case, a solution of the equation (15b) satisfies the condition at the boundaries of the plate,
then bending and twisting moments can be calculated from the equations 8a, 8b and 8c. The corresponding
normal and shearing stresses are obtained from the equation 7a, 7b and 7c.

σx = z=( ).( )=

Therefore, ( σx )max= (Mx)max

Similarly, ( σy )max= (My)max

And (ԏxy)max= (Mxy)max

Equations 12a and 13a are used to determine the shearing forces Qx and Qy. The shearing stresses ԏxy and ԏyx
can now be determined by assuming that they are distributed across the thickness of the plate according to the
parabolic law. Then,

(ԏxy)max= and (ԏyx)max=

5
Boundary Conditions:
Boundary Conditions are the conditions on the surface of a plate which must be prescribed in advance in order
to obtain the solution of equation corresponding to the specific problems under considerations.

Let us consider a rectangular plate with the case of a rectangular plate and assume that the x and y axes taken
parallel to the sides of the plate.

Built in Edge: The deflection along the edge which is built in 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 build in
edge is given by x=a, the boundary conditions are:

(w)x=a= 0 and ( )x=a= 0

Simply Supported Edge: If the edge of the plate x=a is simply supported, the deflection w along this edge must
be zero. At the same time this edge can rotate freely with respect to the edge line, i.e., there will be no bending
moments along this edge and as a result the boundary conditions will be:

(w)x=a= 0 and ( +ʋ )x=a= 0

As must vanish together with w along the rectilinear edge x=a, we can write the second boundary condition

as =0

Free Edge: If an edge x=a is free, then along this edge there will be no bending and twisting moments and alos
no vertical shearing forces, i.e., that

(Mx)x=a=0 (Mxy)x=a=0 (Qx)x=a=0

These boundary condition for free edge were expressed by Poisson, but later on, Kirchhoff proved that two
conditions are sufficient fot the complete determination of the deflection w satisfying equation 15b. He also
showed that the two requirements of Poisson dealing with the twisting moment Mxy ant with shearing force Qx
must be replaced by one boundary condition.

Figure 3

Proceeding with the foregoing replacement of twisting couples along the edge of the plate and considering two
adjacent elements of the edge, we find that the distribution of shearing forces of the intensity

Q’x= - ( )x=a

Hence the joint requirement regardin the twisting moment Mxy and shearing force Qx along the free edge x=a
becomes

Vx=(Qx- )x=a=0

Substituting for Qx and Mxy their expression 8c and 13a, we obtain for a free edge x=a:

6
[- + (2-ʋ) .
] = 0……………………(16a)

The condition that bending moments along the free edge are zero requires

[- +ʋ ]x=a = 0 …………………………(16b)

Equations 16a and 16b represent the two necessary boundary conditions along the free edge x=a of the plate.

Transforming the twisting couples as explained in the foregoing discussion, we obtain not only shearing forces
Q’x distributed along the edge x=a but also two concentrated forces at the ends of that edge, as indicated in the
figure below:

Figure 4

The magnitude of these forces are equal to the magnitudes of the twisting couple Mxy at the corresponding
corners of the plate.

Making the analogous transformation of the twisting couples Myx along the edge y=b, we find that in this case
again, in addition to the distributed shearing forces Q’y, there will be concentrated forces at the corners. This
shows a clear indication that a rectangular plate supported in some way along the edges and loaded laterally
will usually produce not only reaction distributed along the boundary but also concentrated reaction at the
corners.

For the direction of the reaction, we take the general example of a uniformly loaded square plate simply
supported along the edges. The general shape of the deflection surface is indicated in the figure below by dashed
lines representing the section of the middle surface of the plate by planes parallele to the xzx and yz coordinate
planes.

Figure 5

The derivative , representing the slope of the deflection surface in the x direction is negative and decreasing

numerically with increasing y. Hence is positive at the corner A.

.

As is positive, we know that Mxy is positive and Myx is negative at that corner. As a result of this we conclude
.
that the concentrated forces have a downward direction. Also, from symmetry we conclude that the forces have
the same magnitude and direction at all corners of the plate.

Here, R= 2(Mxy)x=a, y=b= 2D(1-ʋ) ( )x=a,y=b

.

7
It can be seen that, when a square plate is uniformly loaded, the corners in general tend to rise and this is
prevented by the downward concentrated reaction at the corners.

Solution in Trigonometrical Series:

Double Series Solution of Simply Supported Plates:
The solution of a simply supported rectangular plate subjected to uniform load was made by Navier in 1820 in
which he assumed the load to be represented by the double Fourier series of the form:

𝑚𝜋𝑥 𝑛𝜋𝑦
𝑝(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑝 sin sin
𝑎 𝑏

Where pmn is obtained from

Pmn is obtained from

4 𝑚𝜋𝑥 𝑛𝜋𝑦
𝑝 = 𝑝(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦
𝑎𝑏 𝑎 𝑏

Similarly, the deflection w is expressed by,

𝑚𝜋𝑥 𝑛𝜋𝑦
𝑤(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑤 sin sin
𝑎 𝑏

This equation automatically satisfies four boundary conditions of a simply supported plate and wmn is a constant
that is determined from the differential equation.

Consider a rectangular plate of sides ‘a’ and ‘b’ which is simply supported on four sides and subjected to
distributed load qx,y , which is function of two variable x and y can be expressed in the domain 0 xa, 0 yb
by a double trigonometric series given by:

W=∑ ∑ 𝑊𝑛𝑚 𝑆𝑖𝑛( )𝑆𝑖𝑛( )………………..(17a)

qx,y=∑ ∑ 𝑞𝑛𝑚 𝑆𝑖𝑛( )𝑆𝑖𝑛( )………………..(17b) Where m,n=1,3,5,…………..

Figure 6

To calculate any particular coefficient qmn of this series, we multiply both sides of the equation by Sin(jπx/a)
Sin(kπy/b) and integrate with respective x and y from 0 to a and 0 to b.

Therefore, ∫ ∫ 𝑞(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 =

∫ ∫ 𝑞(𝑚, 𝑛)𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 ……………….(18)

Performing integration with respect to x, we get ∫ 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑥 =0 at mj

Performing integration with respect to x, we get ∫ 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑥 =0 at nk

At m=j, performing integration with respect to x, we get,

8
∫ 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑥

Therefore,

∫ 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑥 = a/2………………………(19a)

Similarly, at n=k, performing integration with respect to y, we get,

∫ 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑥 = b/2………………………(19b)

Substituting equation 18a and 18b in equation 17, we get,

qmn= ∫ ∫ 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦…………….(20a)

Performing integration using equation 20, 17a and 17b, we get,

( , )
[ +2 + ]wmn 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑛 = 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑛

( , )
Therefore, wmn= ……………….(20b)
[ ]

( , )
Hence, w= ∑ ∑ 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑛
[ ]

Simply Supported Plate carrying a uniformly distributed load of intensity qo

Integrating equation (20) with respect x and y to find the value of qmn,

Performing Integration with respect to x, we get,

∫ 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑥 = 2a/(mπ)……………………….(21a)

Similarly,

∫ 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑥 = 2b/(nπ) ……………………….(21b)

Substituting eqn 21a and 21b in 20, we get,

Therefore, qmn= [ ][ ]

Finally we have,

qmn=0 for m,n=2,4,6,………………… (22a)

qmn= for m,n=1,3,5,………….. (22b)

Substituting equation 22a and 22b in 20b, we get,

wmn= ……………..(23a)
[ ]

and finally, w=∑ ∑ 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑛 ……….(23b)

[ ]

Equation of deflection for rectangular plate subjected to uniformly distributed load

In case of uniform load, we have a deflection surface symmetrical with respect to axes x=a/2, y=b/2
and quit naturally all terms with even numbers for m or n series of (23b) vanish, since they are unsymmetrical
with respect to the above-mentioned axes. The maximum deflection of plate is at its center and is found by
substituting x=a/2 and y=b/2 in the equation (23b)

9
Therefore, w=∑ ∑ (−1)

This is rapidly converging series and a satisfactory approximation is obtained by taking only the first term of the
series, which, for example in the case of square plate gives,
.
(w)max= =

Or by substituting the above expression assuming ʋ,

.
(w)max=

The expression for bending and twisting moments can be obtained from the general solution (23b). Since the
moments are expressed by the second derivatives of series (23b), their maximum values, if we keep q o and D
the same, are proportional to the square of linear dimensions. Since the total load on the plate, equal to q oab,
is also proportional to the square of the linear dimensions, we conclude that, for two plates of equal thickness
and of the same value of the ratio a/b, the maximum bending moments and hence the maximum stresses are
equal if the total loads on the two plates are equal.

Single Series Solution of Simply Supported Plates:

Levy (Timoshenko 1983) in 1900 developed a method for solving simply supported plates subjected to various
loading conditions using single Fourier series. This method is more practical then Navier’s solution because it
can also be used in plates with various boundary conditions as discussed in Chapter 2. Levy suggested the
solution of Eq. (1-26) to be expressed in terms of homogeneous and particular parts each of which consists of a
single Fourier series where the unknown function is determined from the boundary conditions.

The solution is expressed as

w = wh+wp

The homogeneous solution is written as

wh=∑ 𝑓𝑚(𝑦)𝑠𝑖𝑛

where f(y) indicates that it is a function of y only. This equation also satisfies a
simply supported boundary condition at x = 0 and x = a. Substituting Eq. (1- 43)
into the differential equation

4w=0

𝑚𝜋𝑦 𝑚𝜋𝑦 𝑚𝜋𝑦 𝑚𝜋𝑦 𝑚𝜋𝑥

𝑤 = 𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ + 𝐵 cosh + 𝐶 𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ + 𝐷 𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ sin
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎

Where the constants Am,Bm,Cm and Dm are obtained from the boundary conditions.

The particular solution wp can be expressed by a single Fourier series as

𝑚𝜋𝑥
𝑤 = 𝑘 (𝑦) sin
𝑎

The load p is expressed as

𝑚𝜋𝑥
𝑝(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑝 (𝑦) sin
𝑎

Where 𝑝 (𝑦) = ∫ 𝑝(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑥

Substituting particular solution into plate equation we get

( )
−2 + 𝑘 = …………..(24)

10
Let us consider a simply supported thin rectangular plate, then we have the following equation,

Pm(y)= ∫ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑥 = (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑚𝜋 − 1)= where m=1,3,………

Hence equation (24) becomes,

𝑑 𝑘 𝑚𝜋 𝑑 𝑘 𝑚𝜋 4𝑝𝑜
−2 + 𝑘 =
𝑑𝑦 𝑎 𝑑𝑦 𝑎 𝑚𝜋

The particular solution of this equation can be taken as

km=C
Substituting this expression into Eq. (24) gives

km= , where m=1,3,……………

Now from the following equation, we have,

𝑚𝜋𝑥
𝑤 = 𝑘 (𝑦) sin
𝑎

4𝑎 𝑝𝑜 1 𝑚𝜋𝑥
𝑤 = sin
𝜋 𝑚 𝑎
, ,….

Figure 7

Referring to the figure above, the deflection in the y-direction due to uniform load is
symmetric about the x-axis. Hence, the constants Am and Dm must be set to zero since the quantities sinh (mky/a)
and y cosh (mky/a) are odd functions as y varies from positive to negative. Also, m must be set to 1, 3, 5, etc. in
order for sin(mkx/a) to be symmetric around x = a/2. Hence,

𝑚𝜋𝑥 𝑚𝜋𝑥 𝑚𝜋𝑥

𝑤 = (Bm cosh + 𝐶𝑚 𝑦 sinh ) sinh
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
, ,….

And the total deflection can now expressed as,

W= ∑ , ,…. (Bm cosh + 𝐶𝑚 𝑦 sinh + ) sinh ………………….(25)

The boundary conditions along the y-axis are expressed as

w=0 at y=(+/-)b/2
and
=0 at y=(+/-)b/2
From the first of these boundary conditions we get,

[Bm cosh + 𝑏𝐶𝑚 ] cosh + 𝐶𝑚( ) sinh =0

11
Solving these two simultaneous equations yields,

Cm =

And Bm=

With these two expressions known, Eq. (25) can now be solved for various values
of x and y.

Circular and Ring Plates:

Differential equation in polar coordinates:

If the plate is axisymmetric, it makes sense to introduce polar coordinates. We have seen before that

= + +
Ѳ

So that the plate equation in polar coordinates is given by

( + + )( + + )w=p/k
Ѳ Ѳ

The displacement u and v are as before:

u=-z and v=-z

Ѳ

If we substitute these expressions into the definitions of the strain components in polar coordinates, apply
Hooke's law and integrate, we find the following expressions for the resultant bending and twisting moments:
/
Mrr=∫ /
σrr z dz= -K[ + ʋ( + )]
Ѳ Ѳ

/
MѲѲ=∫ /
σѲѲ z dz= -K[ʋ +( + )]
Ѳ

/
MrѲ=∫ /
σrѲ z dz= -(1-ʋ)K ( )
ʋ

The transverse forces qrr and qѲѲcan be derived from the expressions for qxx and qyy, if we replace
x and y with the axis r and the axis t perpendicular to r, with dt = r dѲ
 
qrr= -K ; qѲѲ= -K
ʋ ʋ

The axisymmetric case:

If both the load on a circular plate and its support are axisymmetric, the deflection of the plate is independent
of Ѳ. This allows us to simplify the general formulas considerably:

( + )( + )w=p/k

The solution of the homogeneous part of this equation was derived in the chapter on plane elasticity problems.
The general solution of the axisymmetric plate equation is then,

w=wp+c1+c2r2+c3r2Lnr + c4Lnr

Where wp is a particular solution of the heterogenous equation. If the applied pressure p is constant, w p is readily
determined. For instance:

Let w=M, then the plate equation becomes,

( + )M =p/K

12
 𝟏
Or , ( r )M =p/K
𝒓

Integrating this expression, we find that,

wp = =w

Integrating the right-hand side of this equation in a similar fashion, we finally get,

wp =

The full solution for a uniformly loaded circular plate is given by;

w= + c1+c2r2+c3r2Lnr + c4Lnr

Where the integration constants are determined from the boundary conditions.

Solution for a simply supported circular plate with a uniform load:

As a simple application of the axisymmetric case, let's consider a simply supported circular plate of radius a. The
boundary conditions are:

w =0 for r=a

mrr=0 or + = 0 for r=a

At the center of the plate, the deflection and the curvature of the plate must remain finite. This implies that the
logarithmic terms in the general solution must be zero, i.e., c3=c4=0.

Substituting the expression for w into the boundary conditions gives,

+ c1+c2a2=0

+ 2c2+ʋ( + 2c2) =0

Solving these equations finally yields:

ʋ
C1 =
ʋ

ʋ
C2 = =0
ʋ

The deflection of a uniformly loaded circular plate that is simply supported is then,
ʋ ʋ
w= (( )^4 − 2 (𝑟/𝑎)^2 + )
ʋ ʋ

The bending moments can be readily determined with the help of this expression. The maximum bending
moment occurs at the center of the plate and takes the value

(mrr)max=(3+ʋ)

Note that for circular plates with a hole in the center, there is no reason why logarithmic terms in the general
expression of the deflection should be zero. The additional integration constants in this case determined from
the boundary condition on the edge of the hole.

Virtual Work Principles:

In the solution of problems of elasticity, it is sometimes advantageous to use the principle of virtual work. In the
case of a particle, this principle states that if a particle is in equilibrium, the total work of all the forces acting on
the particle in any virtual displacement vanishes.

If δu, δv and δw be the virtual displacement along the x, y and z directions and ∑ 𝑋, ∑ 𝑌 and ∑ 𝑍 are the sums
of projections on the same directions of forces, acting on the particle, the principle of virtual work gives,

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δu∑ 𝑋 = 0, δv ∑ 𝑌 = 0 and δw ∑ 𝑍 = 0………………………(V1)

These equations are satisfied for any virtual displacement if,

∑ 𝑋 = 0, ∑ 𝑌 = 0 and ∑ 𝑍 = 0………………………………...(V2)

Conversely, given equations (V2) we can multiply them by arbitrary δu, δv and δw and obtain (V1). In fact, virtual
displacement is only a name for such arbitrary multipliers. The forces remain exactly as they were.

An elastic body at rest with its surface and body forces, constitutes a system of particles on each of which acts
as a set of forces in equilibrium. In any virtual displacement the total work done by the forces on any particle
vanishes and therefore the total work done by all the forces of the system vanishes.

A virtual displacement in the case of an elastic body may be taken as any small displacement compatible with
the condition of continuity of the material and with coordinates for the displacements at the surface of the body,
if such conditions are prescribed.

The virtual displacements δu, δv and δw corresponds to increments of the six strain components indicated by,

εx= , εy= ,

ϒxy= +

and the associated virtual work for a volume element is,

(σx δ εx+ σy δ εy+ σz δ εz+ ԏxy δ ϒxy+ ԏyz δ ϒyz+ ԏzx δ ϒzx)dz dy dx

This is same as δVodx dy dz where Vo being taken as a function of the strain components.

To get the work done by the mutual forces on the particles, the sign must be reversed. The external forces
consist of

i) Boundary surface forces on each surface element [(𝑋𝛿𝑢 + 𝑌𝛿𝑣 + 𝑧𝛿𝑤)𝑑𝑆]

ii) Body forces on each volume element [∫(𝑋𝛿𝑢 + 𝑌𝛿𝑣 + 𝑧𝛿𝑤)𝑑𝑇]

The statement that the total virtual work for the whole body is zero now takes the form

∫(𝑋𝛿𝑢 + 𝑌𝛿𝑣 + 𝑧𝛿𝑤)𝑑𝑆 +∫(𝑋𝛿𝑢 + 𝑌𝛿𝑣 + 𝑧𝛿𝑤)𝑑𝑇-∫(𝛿𝑉𝑜)𝑑𝑇 = 0

Formulations based on the concept of work are a part of what is generally referred to as analytical mechanics
and provide powerful tools for dealing with complex problems. These methods are very attractive because they
deal with quantities that are scalar rather than vector quantities, resulting in simpler analysis processes.
Furthermore, specific types of forces, such as reaction forces, can often be eliminated from the solution process
if the work they perform vanishes. Analytical mechanics formulations also enable the systematic development
of procedures to obtain approximate solutions to very complex problems. In particular, the finite element
method, a commonly used tool for structural analysis, has its roots in analytical mechanics. Thee term virtual
displacement or virtual work, although entrenched in historical usage, imply nothing more than the use of
arbitrary multiplier.

The Principle of Virtual Work (PVW) is however the most fundamental tool of analytical mechanics, and it will
be shown to be entirely equivalent to Newton’s law. Both the principle of virtual work and Newton’s laws are
statements of equilibrium, which must always be satisfied at any point in a structure. In this chapter, simple
applications of the principle of virtual work will be presented, focusing on discrete, rather than continuous
systems. In many case, both Newtonian and analytical mechanics approaches will be presented in parallel to
highlight their respective features.

Variational Principle:
A variational principle is a scientific principle used within the calculus of variations, which develops general
methods for finding functions which extremize the value of quantities that depend upon those functions. Any
physical law which can be expressed as a variational principle describes a self-adjoint operator. These

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expressions are also called Hermitian. Such an expression describes an invariant under a Hermitian
transformation.

Some examples of Variational principle includes Lord Rayleigh’s Variational Principle, Ekeland’s variational
principle, Fermat’s principle in geometrical optics, Palatini Variation etc.

The Rayleigh-Ritz mehod is a method of finding approximations to eigenvalue equations that cannot be solved
easily (or at all) analytically.

Buckling Problem:
Circular Plates:

When a thin elastic plate is subjected to compressive in-plane axial loads, in conjunction with small applied
lateral loads or imperfections in the plate, the inplane deflections increase gradually with an increase in the
applied loads up to a certain critical point. Beyond this point a slight increase in axial loads causes a large and
sudden increase in the deflection. This phenomenon, called buckling, is the subject of this chapter for circular
and rectangular plates. A more comprehensive treatment of this subject is given by Timoshenko (Timoshenko
and Gere, 1961), Bloom (Bloom and Coffin, 2001), Szilard (Szilard, 1974), and Iyangar (Iyengar, 1988). The
differential equation for the bending of a circular plate subjected to lateral loads, p, is

𝑟 +r -ϕ=-
Where,
D = Et3/12(1-ʋ2)
E = Modulus of elasticity
Q = Shear
r = radius of plate
t = thickness
ϕ = angle as shown in figure 8
ʋ = Poisson’s ratio

When in-plane forces Nr are applied as shown in Figure, and the lateral loads,
p, are reduced to zero, then the corresponding value of Q is
Q=Nrϕ
Taking,
A2=Nr/D

Figure 8

The differential equation becomes

²Ø Ø
r² +r -(r²A²-1)Ø=0
²

Defining

x = A.r and dx = A dr we get

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 ²Ø Ø
x² +x +(x²-1).Ø =0
²

The solution of this equation is in the form of a Bessel function.

Ø=C₁J₁(x) + C₂Y₂(x)

at r = 0, Y₁(x) approaches infinity. Hence, C₂ must be set to zero and hence Eq. becomes Ø=C₁J₁(x)

For a fixed boundary condition, Ø = 0 at r = a and a nontrivial solution becomes

J₁(x)=0

𝑁𝑟/𝐷(𝑎)=3.83

or

N=(14.67D/a2)……………….(B1)

For a simply supported plate, the moment at the boundary r = a is zero, So,

Ncr=(4.20D/a2) ……………….(B2)

Equations (B1) and (B2) are for the critical buckling load of circular plates with

fixed and simply supported boundary conditions, respectively. It is of interest to

note that contrary to column buckling where the column is rendered ineffective in

carrying any further loads subsequent to buckling, a simply supported circular

plate is capable of carrying additional loads in the post buckling phased due to in plane

biaxial membrane stress (Bloom and Coffin 2001). Post buckling analysis of

such plates (Sherbourne 1961) results in an equation of the form

Nu=Ncr=1+0.241(w/t)2

Where,

Nu = ultimate axial load

Ncr = critical buckling load

t = plate thickness

w = plate deflection

This equation is independent of the ratio r/t and is limited to w/t < 3.0. Values

greater than 3.0 result in plastic strains in the plate.

Rectangular Plates:
Buckling of rectangular plates is most commonly caused by in-plane shear or inplane axial loads in the x and y
directions. In this and the following sections classical as well as numerical methods are presented for solving
these loading conditions. The differential equation for the bending of a rectangular plate with lateral load, p, is
given by

4=p/D………………(R1)

If the plate is additionally loaded in its plane then summation of

forces in the x-direction gives

16
 Figure 9

Nx dy+Nyxdx-(Nx+ 𝑑𝑥)𝑑𝑦 −(Nyx+ 𝑑𝑦)𝑑𝑥 =0

Or, + =0

Similarly, we get

+ =0

Summation of forces in the z-direction gives the following for Nx:

Figure 10

Nx dxdy + dxdy…………(R2)

Similarly, we get,

Ny dxdy + dxdy…………(R3)

Now for Nxy, we have,

Figure 11

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-(Nxydy )+(Nxy+ dx)( + dx)dy

Or, Nxy dxdy + dxdy …………(R4)

Similarly, for Nyx, we have,

Nyx dxdy + dxdy …………(R5)

The total sum of Eq. (R1), which was obtained by summing forces in the z direction, with Eqs. (R2), (R3), (R4),
and (R5) gives the basic differential equation of a rectangular plate subjected to lateral and in-plane loads.

4w= (p+Nx +Ny +2Nxy )

.

Application
The aim of plate theory is to calculate the deformation and stresses in a plate subjected to loads. As a result of
this we are apply the followings:

i) Determination of deflection of plate subjected to various load conditions and with different
support conditions. The amount of deflection can be determined by solving the differential
equations of plate theory.
ii) Once the deflections are known, the strains in the plate can be determined and as a result the
stresses in the plate can be calculated. We can then use the failure theories to determine whether
a plate will fail under a given load.
iii) Plate theory provides the baseline for the design of plates which may be of various shapes such as
Rectangular, Circular, Elliptical, Triangular, etc.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The plate bending theory is concentered mainly with lateral loading. The assumptions used in the plate theory
guided us in the analysis of rectangular plates and circular plates. However, the solutions discussed above are
cumbersome, if not impractical, to obtain when the geometry, boundary conditions, and load distribution
become more complicated. Other approximate methods are more suitable to solve such problems such as the
strain energy (Ritz), yield line theory, finite difference, finite element, and finite strip methods.

References
 Jawad, Maan H. "Design of Plate and Shell Structures." 2004.

 Srinath, L.S. Advanced Mechanics of Solids. Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited, 1999.

 Timoshenko, S. and S. Woinowsky Krieger. Theory of Plates and Shells. McGRAW-HILL BOOK COMPANY,
1959.

 Timoshenko, S.P. and J.N. Goodier. Theory of Elasticity. McGRAW-HILL BOOK COMPANY, 1951.

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