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THEORY OF PLATES AND SHELLS

MANE 6200 H01

Professor Michael Bak

Rensselaer at Hartford
Spring 2008
 Prerequisites
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¨ Mechanics of materials.
¨ Theory of elasticity.
¨ Basic engineering math.
 Why a theoretical plates and shells
Page 3
course?
¨ Assumptions reduce general 3D problems to more
easily solvable plate/shell formulations – must know
what these assumptions are.
¨ Even if one is to perform numerical calculations, must
understand underlying theory.
¨ Good engineering practice requires hand
calculations for checking more complicated solutions.
 Page 4

OVERVIEW OF PLATE BENDING THEORY

 Plate Bending Theory Overview -
Page 5
Topics
¨ Plate Definitions, Plate Geometry (7-9)
¨ Kirchhoff Assumptions (10-12)
¨ Strain-Displacement Relationships (13-15)
¨ Strain-Curvature Relationships (16-18)
¨ Stress-Strain Relationships (19-20)
¨ Stress from Curvatures or Displacements (21)
¨ Moments from Curvatures or Displacements (22-27)
¨ Stress from Moments (28-29)
¨ Equations of Equilibrium (30-33)
 Plate Bending Theory Overview -
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Topics
¨ Shear Forces (34-35)
¨ Governing Differential Equation (36-39)
¨ Boundary Conditions (40-46)
¨ Out-of-Plane Stresses (47-53)
¨ Governing Differential Equation Solutions (54)
¨ Examples:
¤ Simply supported plate strip with uniform load (55-59)
¤ Simply supported plate strip with non-uniform load (60-65)
¤ Circular plate using inverse method (66-67)
¤ Rectangular plate with corner loads (68-69)
 Introduction
Page 7

¨ Definition of a plate:
¤ Initially
flat structural element.
¤ Thickness much smaller than other dimensions.

¤ Examples: Table tops, roofs, panels, disks, etc.

¨ Definition of midplane:
¤ Plane parallel to faces, divides thickness in half.
¤ Plate thickness measured normal to midplane.

¤ Flexural properties depend upon thickness.

 Introduction
Page 8

¨ Three classifications of plates:

¤ Thin plates with small deflections.
¤ Thin plates with large deflections.
¤ Thick plates.

¨ Definition of “thin plate”:

¤ Ratio of plate thickness to smaller span length < 1/20.
¨ Plate materials:
¤ Isotropicand homogeneous.
¤ Anisotropic.
 General Behavior of Plates
Page 9

¨ Plate geometry:
 General Behavior of Plates
Page 10

¨ Fundamental assumptions of small deflection theory of bending

(classical theory, Kirchhoff hypotheses):
1. Deflection of midplane is small compared with thickness, w << t.
Therefore, the slope of the deflected surface is small (¶w/¶x << 1), and
square of slope is negligible ([¶w/¶x]2 = 0).
2. Midplane remains unstrained subsequent to bending.
3. Plane sections (mn) initially normal to the midplane remain plane and
normal after bending, therefore out of plane shear strains are zero (gxz
= gyz = 0). Thus, deflection is associated principally with bending
strains. Out of plane normal strain (ez) also omitted.
4. Out of plane normal stress (sz) is neglected. This assumption is
unreliable near concentrated transverse loads.
 General Behavior of Plates
Page 11

¨ Observations on Kirchhoff hypotheses:

¤ Analogous to bending theory of beams.
¤ Test have demonstrated validity.
¤ 3D problem reduced to 2D:
n Can derive equations in concise manner.
¨ If deflections are not small:
¤ Assumption 1 is invalid since deflection is on the order of the plate
thickness (w » t).
¤ Assumption 2 is invalid since plate bending results in midplane strains.
¨ If plate is thick:
¤ Assumption 3 is invalid since shear strains are important role.
¤ Assumption 4 is invalid since out-of-plane normal stress is important.
 General Behavior of Plates
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¨ There is one exception where the deflection can be large but

the Kirchhoff assumptions still hold:
¤ When a plate bends into a developable surface.
¤ A developable surface is the surface of cones and cylinders.
¤ Midplane can remain unstrained.
¨ Two conditions:
¤ Pure bending of plate to cylindrical surface, i.e. via moments. Requires
thickness to be is much less than radius of curvature (t << radius of
curvature).
¤ Bending of plate to cylindrical surface by lateral load. Requires the
deflection to be much less than the width of plate (w << plate
dimensions other than thickness).
 Strain-Curvature Relationships
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¨ From Kirchhoff assumption 3:

g xz = g yz = e z = 0
¨ Therefore, strain displacement relationships (or
kinematic relations) become:
¶u ¶w
ex = ez = =0
¶x ¶z
¶v ¶w ¶u
ey = g xz = + =0
¶y ¶x ¶z
¶u ¶v ¶w ¶v
g xy = + g yz = + =0
¶y ¶x ¶y ¶z
 Strain-Curvature Relationships
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¨ Integrating relationship for ez: w = w(x,y)

¤ This means lateral deflection does not vary over plate thickness.
¨ Integrating relationships for gxz and gyz:
¶w
u = -z + u 0 ( x, y )
¶x
¶w
v = -z + v0 ( x, y )
¶y
¤ Last term in equations represent midplane values.
 Strain-Curvature Relationships
Page 15

¨ Kirchhoff assumption 2 states that the midplane

remains unstrained, thus u0 = v0 = 0, and:
¶w ¶w
u = -z v = -z
¶x ¶y
¨ Substituting expressions into remaining strain-
displacement relationships:
¶ 2w ¶ 2w ¶ 2w
e x = -z 2 e y = -z 2 g xy = -2 z
¶x ¶y ¶x¶y
¤ These are the strains at any point in the plate.
 Strain-Curvature Relationships
Page 16

¨ Curvature (k) is the inverse of the radius of

curvature = rate of change of slope angle with
respect to distance along curve:
1 ¶ æ ¶w ö 1 ¶ æ ¶w ö
= ç ÷ = kx = çç ÷÷ = k y
rx ¶x è ¶x ø ry ¶y è ¶y ø
1 ¶ æ ¶w ö
= çç ÷÷ = k xy = k yx (twist)
rxy ¶x è ¶y ø

¨ Positive k - plate bends concave downward.

¨ Negative k - plate bends concave upward.
 Strain-Curvature Relationships
Page 17

¨ Expression for curvature comes from analytic

geometry: æ d2y ö
çç 2 ÷÷
1
= è dx ø
r é 2 3/ 2
æ dy ö ù
ê1 + ç ÷ ú
êë è dx ø úû

¨ Since square of slope is negligible from Kirchhoff

assumption 1:
2
æ dy ö 1 d2y
ç ÷ »0 and = 2
è dx ø r dx
 Strain-Curvature Relationships
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¨ Strain-curvature relationships now become:

e x = - zk x e y = - zk y g xy = -2 zk xy

¤ No mechanical properties were used in deriving the

preceding equations, therefore can be used for elastic
and inelastic problems.
¤ Strains vary linearly with distance z from midplane.
 Stresses and Stress Resultants
Page 19

¨ Hooke’s Law (isotropic, homogeneous material) in

3D:
t xy
1
E
[ ]
e x = s x -n (s y + s z ) g xy =
G
E
1
E
[ ]
e y = s y -n (s x + s z )
t
g xz = xz
G
G=
2(1 +n )
t yz
1
E
[ ]
e z = s z -n (s x + s y ) g yz =
G
 Stresses and Stress Resultants
Page 20

¨ sij
sy
¤ i = direction normal to face
txy
¤ j = direction of stress
y
¨ sii = si (indice not repeated) sx
x
¨ Setting ez = gxz = gyz = sz = 0 (Kirchhoff assumptions 3 and
4):
sx =
E
1 -n 2
[
e x +ne y] t xy = Gg xy

sy =
E
1 -n 2
[e y +ne x ]
 Stresses and Stress Resultants
Page 21

¨ Introduce plate curvatures:

é ¶2w ¶2w ù
sx = -
Ez
1 -n 2
[ ]
k x +nk y = -
Ez
1 -n 2
ê 2 +n
¶ ¶ 2 ú
ë x y û
é ¶2w ¶2w ù
sy = -
Ez
1 -n 2
k y[+ nk x =]-
Ez
1 -n 2
ê 2 +n
¶ ¶ 2 ú
ë y x û
Ez Ez é ¶2w ù
t xy =- k xy = - ê ¶y¶x ú
1 +n 1 +n ë û

¤ Stresses vanish at mid-plane and vary linearly over the thickness.

 Stresses and Stress Resultants
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¨ Stresses over thickness of plate produce:

¤ Bending moments.
¤ Twisting moments.
¤ Vertical shear forces.
¨ Moments and forces per unit length = stress resultants.
+t / 2 +t / 2

ò zs
-t / 2
x dydz = dy ò zs
-t / 2
x dz = M x dy

t/2
z Mx
x
z σx
 Stresses and Stress Resultants
Page 23

¨ Stress resultant expressions (per unit length):

t/2 t/2
Mx = òs
-t / 2
x zdz Qx = òt
-t / 2
xz dz

t/2 t/2
My = òs
-t / 2
y zdz Qy = òt
-t / 2
yz dz

t/2
M xy = òt
-t / 2
xy zdz

¤ γxz and γyz are neglected in bending, but vertical forces Qx and Qy are
NOT negligible – they are the same order of magnitude as loading and
moments.
 Stresses and Stress Resultants
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¨ Calculation for Mx:

t/2 t/ 2
æ Ez 2 ö
M x = ò çç -
1 -n 2
[
k x + nk y ]÷÷dz = -
Ez 3
3(1 - n )
2
[k x + nk y ] ò
-t / 2 è ø -t/ 2

Mx = -
E 2t 3
3(1 -n ) 8
2
[
k x + nk y = - ]Et 3
12(1 -n )
2
[
k x +nk y ]

¨ Also, note that there are no in-plane forces due to stresses:

+t / 2 +t / 2
P= ò s dydz = dy ò s dz = 0
x x z
-t / 2 -t / 2 σx
 Stresses and Stress Resultants
Page 25

¨ Where D = flexural rigidity:

Et 3
D=
12 (1 - n 2 )

¨ Note:
¤ Plate has greater stiffness than beam by 1/(1-ν2) @
10%.
 Stresses and Stress Resultants
Page 26

¨ Substituting σ(κ) into moments:

é ¶2w ¶2w ù
[ ]
M x = - D k x +nk y = - D ê 2 +n
¶ ¶ 2 ú
ë x y û
é ¶2w ¶2w ù
[ ]
M y = - D k y +nk x = - D ê 2 +n
¶ ¶ 2 ú
ë y x û
é ¶2w ù
M xy = - D(1 -n )k xy = - D(1 -n ) ê ú
ë ¶y¶x û
 Stresses and Stress Resultants
Page 27

¨ Pictorial view of twisting moments:

 Stresses and Stress Resultants
Page 28

¨ By comparing stress and moment equations

Ez é ¶2w ¶2w ù
sx = - ê 2 +n 2 ú
1 -n 2 ë ¶x ¶y û
Et 3 é ¶2w ¶2w ù
Mx = - 2 ê
+n ú
12(1 -n ) ë ¶x 2
¶y 2 û

¨ Results in stress-moment relationships:

12 M x z 12 M y z 12M xy z
sx = sy = t xy =
t3 t 3
t3
¨ Linear variation in stress over thickness
 Stresses and Stress Resultants
Page 29

¨ Maximum stress occurs on bottom and top surfaces.

¤ At (z = +/- t/2):

6M x 6M y 6M xy
sx = 2 sy = t xy =
t t 2
t2
 Variation of Stress Within a Plate
Page 30

¨ View of infinitesimal plate section:

 Variation of Stress Within a Plate
Page 31

¨ Write three equations of equilibrium:

¶Qx ¶Q y
å Fz = 0 : ¶x dxdy + ¶y dxdy + pdxdy = 0
¶M xy ¶M y
å M x = 0 : ¶x dxdy + ¶y dxdy - Qy dxdy = 0
¶M xy ¶M x
å M y = 0 : ¶y dxdy + ¶x dxdy - Qx dxdy = 0
 Variation of Stress Within a Plate
Page 32

¨ Simplifying three equations of equilibrium:

¶Qx ¶Q y
+ + p=0
¶x ¶y
¶M xy ¶M y
+ - Qy = 0
¶x ¶y
¶M xy ¶M x
+ - Qx = 0
¶y ¶x
 Variation of Stress Within a Plate
Page 33

¨ Combine equilibrium equations.

¤ Solve last two equations for Qx and Qy.
¤ Take derivatives and insert into first equation.

¶ Mx
2
¶ 2 M xy ¶2M y
+2 + = -p
¶x 2
¶x¶y ¶y 2

¨ This is the differential equation of equilibrium.

¤1 equation, 3 unknowns (Mx, My, Mxy)
 Variation of Stress Within a Plate
Page 34

¨ Substituting expressions of moments in terms of

deflection w into the equations for Qx:
¶M x ¶M xy
Qx = +
¶x ¶y
¶ é ¶ 2w ¶2w ù ¶ é ¶ 2w ù
Qx = - D ê 2 + n 2 ú
- D(1 -n ) ê ú
¶x ë ¶x ¶y û ¶y ë ¶x¶y û
¶ é ¶ 2w ¶2w ù
Qx = - D ê 2 + 2 ú
¶x ë ¶x ¶y û
 Variation of Stress Within a Plate
Page 35

¨ Thus:
¶ 2
Qx = - D
¶x
(
Ñ w )
¶ 2
Qy = - D
¶y
(
Ñ w )
¶2 ¶2
Where : Ñ = 2 + 2 = Laplace operator
2

¶x ¶y
¨ Note: Qx and Qy were eliminated from equilibrium equation,
but they will be needed in boundary conditions and alternate
governing equation.
 Governing Equations for Deflections of
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Plates
¨ Combining moment-deflection equations with equilibrium
expression:
¶ 2k x
2
¶ k xy ¶ k y p
2

+2 + =
¶x 2
¶x¶y ¶y 2
D
¶4w ¶4w ¶4w p
+2 2 2 + 4 =
¶x 4
¶x ¶y ¶y D
p
Ñ w=
4

D
¨ Governing differential equation for deflection.
 Governing Equations for Deflections of
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Plates
¨ Governing equation is a 4th order partial
differential equation:
p
Ñ w=
4

D
¨ Laplace operator:

Ñ =Ñ Ñ = Ñ
4 2 2
( )
2 2 ¶4 ¶4 ¶4
= 4 +2 2 2 + 4
¶x ¶x ¶y ¶y
 Governing Equations for Deflections of
Page 38
Plates
¨ An alternate solution to the governing equation:
¤ Based on the fact that the sum of the bending moment components is
invariant (moment sum).
¤ Results in two 2nd order partial differential equations.
¤ Analogous to membrane problem
n Membrane = thin plate with no flexural rigidity.
é ¶2w ¶2w ù
M x + M y = - D (1 + n ) ê 2 + 2 ú = - D (1 + n )Ñ2 w
ë ¶x ¶y û
Mx + My
M= = - DÑ2 w (moment sum definition)
1 +n
¶M ¶M
Qx = & Qy = (shear forces)
¶x ¶y
 Governing Equations for Deflections of
Page 39
Plates
¨ Governing equation now becomes:
¤ Sum of forces in z direction:

¶ 2M ¶ 2M
+ 2 = -p
¶x 2
¶y
¤ Moment sum expression:

¶2w ¶2w M
+ 2 =-
¶x 2
¶y D

¤ Can solve these two 2nd order partial differential equations.

 Boundary Conditions
Page 40

¨ Solution of governing equations requires two boundary

conditions (BC’s) be satisfied at each edge of plate.
¤ Can use displacements, slopes, forces and/or moments.
¨ Problem: How to handle twisting moment along edges?
¤ Don’t have these in beam theory.
¤ Three values at edges but only two conditions needed
¤ Due to assumption of neglecting shear strains (Kirchhoff assumption 3).
¨ Solution: Replace twisting moments with statically equivalent
distribution of vertical shear forces.
 Boundary Conditions
Page 41

¨ Replacing twisting moments with shear forces:

 Boundary Conditions
Page 42

¨ Expressions for vertical shear force altered to add

vertical force from twisting moment to original shear
force Q to obtain total vertical force V:

¶M xy é ¶3w ¶3w ù
Vx = Qx + = - D ê 3 + ( 2 -n ) 2ú
¶y ë ¶x ¶x ¶y û
¶M xy é ¶3w ¶3w ù
Vy = Qy + = - D ê 3 + (2 -n ) 2 ú
¶x ë ¶y ¶x ¶y û

Shear force Vertical force from

twisting moment
 Boundary Conditions
Page 43

¨ Consider the case of a uniformly loaded simply

supported rectangular plate. The vertical force in
the corners does not cancel out:
¶ 2w
Fc = 2 M xy = -2 D(1 -n )
¶x¶y

¨ If no anchorage is present, these forces indicate that

the corners will tend to rise.
¤ This situation is observable.
 Boundary Conditions
Page 44

¨ Commonly encounter boundary conditions for a

rectangular plate, edge x = a:
¤ Clamped, fixed, or built-in: (deflection and slope = 0)
¶w
w=0 =0 (x = a)
¶x
¤ Simply-supported or pinned: (deflection and moment = 0)
é ¶2w ¶2w ù
w=0 M x = - D ê 2 +n 2 ú
=0 (x = a)
ë ¶x ¶y û
n Since w = 0 along a: ¶w ¶2w
=0 & =0
¶y ¶y 2

n Therefore: ¶2w
w=0 =0 (x = a)
¶x 2
 Boundary Conditions
Page 45

¨ Commonly encounter boundary conditions for a rectangular

plate, edge x = a:
¤ Free edge: (moment and shear = 0)

¶2w ¶2w ¶3w ¶3w

+n =0 + ( 2 -n ) =0 (x = a)
¶x 2
¶y 2
¶x 3
¶x¶y 2

¤ Sliding edge: (rotation and shear = 0)

¶w ¶3w ¶3w
=0 + ( 2 -n ) =0 (x = a)
¶x ¶x 3
¶x¶y 2

¨ Can have non-homogeneous boundary conditions (prescribed

values) by replacing zeros with values.
 Boundary Conditions
Page 46

¨ Symmetry is modeled using the “sliding edge”

boundary condition:
¤ No rotation.
¤ No shear force.

¶w
V=0 =0
¶x Shear diagram
 Exact Theory of Plates
Page 47

¨ Classical theory of thin plates is accurate enough

for practical purposes, with some exceptions:
¤ Invicinity of concentrated loads.
¤ Near edges, corners, and around holes.

¨ It would be useful to estimate out-of-plane stresses

using current classical thin plate theory (σz, txz, tyz)
¤ Can’tuse Hooke’s Law to get stresses from strains.
¤ Therefore, will use differential equations of equilibrium,
neglecting the body force.
 Exact Theory of Plates
Page 48

¨ Differential equations of equilibrium, neglecting the

body force:
¶s x ¶t xy ¶t xz
+ + =0
¶x ¶y ¶z
¶s y ¶t xy ¶t yz
+ + =0
¶y ¶x ¶z
¶s z ¶t xz ¶t yz
+ + =0
¶z ¶x ¶y
 Exact Theory of Plates
Page 49

¨ Rewrite first equation for txz:

t/2
æ ¶s x ¶t xy ö
t xz = ò çç + ÷÷dz
zè
¶x ¶y ø
¨ Substitute previous expressions for σx and txy:
t/2
ìï ¶ é 12 zD æ ¶ 2 w ¶ 2 w öù ¶ é 12 zD æ ¶ 2 w öù üï
t xz = ò í ê- 3 çç 2 + n ÷ + ê - 3 (1 -n )çç
2 ÷ú
÷÷ú ýdz
z ïî ¶x ë t è ¶x ¶y øû ¶y ë t è ¶x¶y øû ïþ

¨ Crossing out terms and performing integration leads to:

E æ t2 é
2ö ¶ æ¶ w
2
¶ 2 w öù
t xz = - 2 ç
ç - z ÷÷ ê çç 2 + 2 ÷÷ú
2(1 -n ) è 4 ø ë ¶x è ¶x ¶y øû
¨ Stress varies according to a parabolic law over plate
thickness
 Exact Theory of Plates
Page 50

¨ Second equation is solved for tyz in same fashion:

E æ t2 é
2ö ¶ æ¶ w
2
¶ 2 w öù
t yz =- 2 ç
ç - z ÷÷ ê çç 2 + 2 ÷÷ ú
2(1 -n ) è 4 ø ë ¶y è ¶x ¶y ø û
¨ Substitute expressions for txz and tyz into last equation, solve
for σz:
E æ t 3 t 2 z z 3 ö éæ ¶ 2 ¶ 2 öæ ¶ 2 w ¶ 2 w ö ù
sz = - 2 ç
ç - + ÷÷ êçç 2 + 2 ÷÷çç 2 + 2 ÷÷ ú
2(1 -n ) è 12 4 3 ø ëè ¶x ¶y øè ¶x ¶y ø û

¨ These stresses are assumed very small compared with in-plane

stresses – if not, thin plate assumptions are not valid!
 Exact Theory of Plates
Page 51

¨ These expressions can be further reduced by substituting

expressions for Q:
E æ t2 2 ö é Qx ù
t xz = 2 ç
ç - z ÷÷ ê ú
2(1 -n ) è 4 øë D û
¨ Further reduction leads to:
3Qx æ é 2z ù2 ö
t xz = ç1 - ÷
2t ç êë t úû ÷
è ø
¨ Also:
3Q y æ é 2 z ù 2 ö 3 p æç 2 2 z 1 é 2 z ù ö÷
3

t yz = ç1 - ÷ sz = - - + ê ú
ê ú
2t çè ë t û ÷ø 4 è 3 t 3 ë t û ÷ø
ç
 Exact Theory of Plates
Page 52

¨ Maximum shear stress occurs at z = 0:

3Qx 3Q y
t xz ,max = t yz ,max =
2t 2t

¨ Note: Still need to determine w before these

stresses can be calculated.
 Exact Theory of Plates
Page 53

¨ Equating normal stress to surface loading at upper face:

p
z = -t/2 sz = p

¨ Using original expression for σz and substitute z = -t/2:

Et 3 éæ ¶ 2 ¶ 2 öæ ¶ 2 w ¶ 2 w öù
2 êç
ç 2 + 2 ÷÷çç 2 + 2 ÷÷ú = p
12(1 -n ) ëè ¶x ¶y øè ¶x ¶y øû
p
Ñ4 w =
D
 Methods of Solution of Plate
Page 54
Deflections
¨ The governing equation is usually very difficult to solve.
¨ Several approaches:
¤ Inverse method: Assume a solution for w which satisfies governing
equations and boundary conditions.
n Polynomial expressions for w in x and y, determine coefficients.
n Fourier series expressions.
¤ Energy methods: Finite element method.
¤ Finite differences: Discretize the equation.
¤ Plate strips: Plates infinitely long in one direction, makes solution easier
by eliminating x or y.
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 55

¨ Example: Find displacement and stress in a very

long and narrow rectangular plate.
¤ Simply-supported at y = 0, y = b.
¤ Uniform pressure p0.

x
b

y
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 56

¨ Based on fact that plate will deform into a cylindrical surface,

deflection does not change in x direction.
¤ All derivatives of x are therefore zero, and x is eliminated from all
expressions:

¶w ¶2w ¶2 w
=0 =0 =0
¶x ¶x¶y ¶x 2

d 2w d 2w
M x = - Dn My = - D 2 M xy = 0
dy 2 dy
p d 4 w p0
Ñ w=
4
® =
D dy 4
D
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 57

¨ Integrate governing equation four times to obtain w

in terms of four constants:
d 4 w p0
=
dy 4 D
d 3w p0 y
= + c1
dy 3
D
d 2 w p0 y 2
= + c1 y + c2
dy 2
2D
dw p0 y 3 y2
= + c1 + c2 y + c3
dy 6D 2
p0 y 4 y3 y2
w= + c1 + c2 + c3 y + c4
24 D 6 2
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 58

¨ Apply simply supported boundary conditions to

solve for constants:
w = 0 @ y = 0 : c4 = 0
¶2w
M y = 2 = 0 @ y = 0 : c2 = 0
¶y
¶2w p0b2 p0b
My = 2 = 0 @ y = b : + c1b = 0 : c1 = -
¶y 2D 2D
p0b4 p0b4 p0b3
w=0 @ y = b: - + c3b = 0 : c3 =
24 D 12 D 24 D
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 59

¨ Substituting constants into expression for w and simplifying:

p0 b 3 é y 4 y3 y ù
w= ê 4 -2 3 + ú
24 D ë b b bû
¨ Maximum deflection, moment and stress occur at y = b/2:

5 p0 b 4
wmax =
384 D
æ ¶ 2 w ö p0 b 2
M y ,max = - Dçç 2 ÷÷ =
è ¶y ø 8
6M y ,max 3 p0b 2
s y ,max = =
t2 4t 2
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 60

¨ Example: Same problem, but assume loading:

py
p = p( y ) = p0 sin
b
¨ Same assumptions as before (not a function of x), need to
integrate four times.
¤ Recall integration of sin and cos:
1
ò sin( ay ) dy = -
a
cos(ay )

1
ò cos( ay ) dy =
a
sin( ay )
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 61

¨ Integrate to obtain expression for w:

d 4 w p0 py
= sin
dy 4 D b
d 3w p0b py
= - cos + c1
dy 3
Dp b
d 2w p0b 2 py
= - sin + c1 y + c2
dy 2
Dp 2
b
dw p0b3 py y2
= cos + c1 + c2 y + c3
dy Dp 3
b 2
p0b 4 py y3 y2
w= sin + c1 + c2 + c3 y + c4
Dp 4
b 6 2
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 62

¨ Apply boundary conditions to determine constants:

w = 0 @ y = 0 : c4 = 0
d 2w
My = = 0 @ y = 0 : c2 = 0
dy 2

d 2w
My = = 0 @ y = b : c1b = 0 : c1 = 0
dy 2

w = 0 @ y = b : c3b = 0 : c3 = 0
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 63

¨ Expression for w:
p0 b 4 py
w= sin
Dp 4 b

¨ Maximum values occur at y = b/2:

p0 b 4
wmax =
Dp 4
æ ¶ 2 w ö p0 b 2
M y ,max = - Dçç 2 ÷÷ = 2
è ¶y ø p
6 M y ,max 6 p0b 2 b2
s y ,max = = 2 2 » 0.6 p0 2
t 2
p t t
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 64

¨ Consider other stress components:

¤ txy = 0 and txz = 0 (since nothing is a function of x).
¤ Maximum tyz:

¶M y ¶M xy p0b py p0 b
Qy = + = cos Qy ,max =
¶y ¶x p b p
3 Qy 3 p0 b b
t yz ,max = t yz ,max = » 0.5 p0
2 t 2 pt t
¤ Maximum σz:
s z ,max = - p0
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 65

¨ Ratio of σz,max to σy,max:

p0 p 2t 2 t2 t 1 s 1.3
= » 1.3 2 if = ® z =
6 p0 b 2
6b 2
b b 20 s y 400
p 2t 2
¨ Ratio of tyz,max to σy,max:
1.5 p0b
pt = 1.5pt = p t t 1 t yz p
if = ® =
6 p0 b 2 6b 4b b 20 s y 80
p 2t 2
¤ Thus σz and tyz are negligible.
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 66

¨ Example: Clamped circular plate under uniform pressure p0.

¤ Inverse method, use equation of boundary in w:
2
æ x2 y2 ö
w = k çç1 - 2 - 2 ÷÷
è a a ø
n Note that w and slopes with respect to x and y are zero at boundary by
virtue of boundary equation.
¤ Boundary conditions: a
w=0
x
@ r=a
¶w ¶w
= =0 y
¶x ¶y p0
x
z
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 67

¨ Take derivatives of assumed w and substitute into governing

equation:
¶4w k ¶4w k ¶4w k
= 24 = 24 = 8
¶x 4 a4 ¶y 4 a4 ¶x 2¶y2 a4
k p0 p0a 4
(24 + 16 + 24 ) = k=
a4 D 64 D
2
p0a æ
4
x2
y ö 2
w= çç1 - 2 - 2 ÷÷
64 D è a a ø

¨ Will see that circular plates are usually treated using polar
coordinates.
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 68

¨ Example: Rectangular plate with free edges of lengths a and

b subjected to corner forces P:

¨ No surface load: p = 0.
¨ Center displacement = 0 (symmetry, antisymmetry).
æ a ö
¨ Boundary conditions: M =V = 0
x x ç x = ± , y÷
è2 ø
æ bö
M y = Vy = 0 ç x, y = ± ÷
è 2ø
 Examples of Plate Bending Solutions
Page 69

¨ Inverse method: w = c1 xy
¨ Governing equation and boundary conditions are
automatically satisfied.
¨ Find constant from expression for corner force:
¶2w
Fc = -2M xy = 2 D(1 -n )
¶x¶y
P
P = 2 D(1 -n )c1 ® c1 =
2 D(1 -n )
P Pab
w= xy wcorner =
2 D(1 -n ) 8D (1 - n )
Homework Problem 1
¨ A 20 mm wide and 0.5 mm thick steel band saw
(E=210 GPa, n=0.3) runs over two pulleys of 0.5 m
diameter.
¨ Calculate the maximum bending strain and
maximum bending stress in the saw as it goes over
and confirms the radius r of a pulley.
 Homework Problem 2
Page 71

¨ A long and narrow rectangular aluminum alloy

plate is subjected to a hydrostatic loading
expressed by p = p0y/b and supported as shown.
 Homework Problem 2
Page 72

¨ Calculate:
¤ The equation of the deflected surface w.
¤ The slope at the simply supported edge.

¤ The maximum stress σy,max for the following data:

nb = 0.5 m, t = 10 mm, p0 = 100 kPa.
 Homework Problem 3
Page 73

¨ The lateral deflection of a rectangular plate of lengths

a and b with all edges built in and subjected to a
uniform load p0 is given by
a
æx
4
x
3
x öæ y
2 4
y3
y ö
2
x
w = co çç 4 - 2 3 + 2 ÷÷çç 4 - 2 3 + 2 ÷÷
èa a a øè b b b ø b

¤ where c0 is a constant.
y
¨ Determine:
¤ Whether this deflection satisfies the plate boundary
conditions
¤ The maximum plane stress components σx and txy at the
center for a=b