Large amplitude flexural vibration of stiffened plates

The large amplitude free flexural vibration of thin, elastic orthotropic stiffened plates is studied. The boundary conditions considered are either simply supported on all edges or clamped on all edges and the in-plane edge conditions are either immovable or movable. The governing dynamic equations are derived in terms of non-dimensional parameters describing the stiffening achieved, and the solutions are obtained on the basis of an assumed one-term vibration mode shape for various stiffener combinations. In all cases, the non-linearity is found to be of the hardening type (i.e., the period of non-linear vibration decreases with increasing amplitude). Some interesting conclusions are drawn as to the effect of the stiffening parameters on the non-linear behaviour. A simple method of predicting the postbuckling and static large deflection behaviour from the results obtained in this analysis is included. © 1978.