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)
