Chapter 2

Simply Supported Rectangular Plate Subjected to

U

Concentrated Load

ξ
x
η P β
b 2
(ξ ,η )
β
2 (ξ ,η )

α α P
a q=
2 2 αβ
y

The load function for the concentrated load P may be thought of as

the limiting case.
Lt (qαβ ) = P
α →0
β →0
q →α

Eqn. 49b takes the form

β α
η+ ξ+
4 2 2⎛ P ⎞ mπ x nπ y
qmn = Lt ∫ ∫ ⎜ ⎟ sin sin dxdy
ab α →0 β α⎝ αβ ⎠ a b
β →0 η − ξ−
2 2

mπα nπβ
sin sin
16 P mπξ nπη 2a 2b
= sin sin lim
mnπ 2 a b α →0 αβ
β →0

Chapter 2 Page 1 of 26
 mπα mπ mπα
sin cos
Since lim 2a = lim 2a 2a = mπ
α 1 2a
nπβ nπ nπβ
sin cos
and lim 2b = lim 2b 2b = nπ
β 1 2b
4P mπξ nπη
Therefore, qmn = sin sin
ab a b

In view of (32),
mπξ nπη
sin sin
b sin mπ x sin nπ y
4P ∞ ∞
w(x,y)= ∑ ∑ a (53)
π Dab m =1 n =1
4
⎛ m2 n2 ⎞
2 a b
⎜ 2 + 2⎟
⎝a b ⎠

Chapter 2 Page 2 of 26
Levy-Nadai Solution

Navier solution offers considerable mathematical advantages

for simply supported rectangular plates, since the solution of the
governing fourth-order partial differential equation is reduced to
solution of an algebraic equation.

Unfortunately, it applies only to the limited category of

simply supported rectangular plates.

A more general technique which yields the lateral deflections

of plates with boundary conditions other than simply supported
was developed by Levy. The Levy solution yields the lateral
deflection of rectangular plates with two opposite edges simply
supported, and with arbitrary boundary conditions imposed on the
remaining two sides.

Chapter 2 Page 3 of 26
Uniformly Loaded Simply Supported Rectangular Plate
U

b
2
q=q
x
b q(x,y)=qo
2

a
y

For the simply supported plate let us consider a solution in the

general form
w( x, y ) = w p ( x, y ) + wc ( x, y ) (54)

Let the particular integral takes the form

qo
w p (x,y)= ( x 4 − 2ax3 + a 3 x) (55)
24D
Eqn 55 represents a deflection function of a strip of unit width
parallel to the x-axis subjected to uniform load qo. B B

[Note that this is analogous to a uniformly loaded simply supported

qo
beam for which w(x)= ( x 4 − 2ax3 + a 3 x) , a = span length]
24EI
Eqn 55 satisfies the plate equation
∂4w ∂4w ∂4w qo
+2 + =
∂x 4 ∂x 2∂y 2 ∂y 4 D

Chapter 2 Page 4 of 26
and the boundary conditions along x = 0 and x = a
⎛ ∂2w ⎞
i.e. w(0, y ) = 0, ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ =0 (56)
⎝ ∂x ⎠ x =0
⎛ ∂2w ⎞
w(a, y ) = 0, ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ =0
⎝ ∂x ⎠ x=a

The complementary integral wc(x,y) must satisfy the homogeneous

B B

equation
∂4w ∂4w ∂4w
+2 + =0 (57)
∂x 4 ∂x 2 ∂y 2 ∂y 4
and also should be such that the sum (54) should satisfy all the
boundary conditions of the plate.

Take the function wc(x,y) as

B B

∞ mπ x
w c (x,y)= ∑ Ym sin (58)
m=1,3,5... a
where Ym is a function of y only and in view of the symmetry
B B

about y axis, m takes values 1,3,5… It can be seen that Eqn (58)
satisfies the boundary conditions (56).

Chapter 2 Page 5 of 26
Substitution of (58) in (57) leads to
∞ ⎡ m 4π 4 m 2π 2 ⎤ mπ x
∑ ⎢ 4 Ym − 2 2 Ym II + Ym IV ⎥ sin =0
m=1,3,5... ⎣ a a ⎦ a

This equation must be valid for all values of x between zero and a
and hence the expression in bracket must vanish.
mπ
i.e. Ym IV − 2λm2 Ym II + λm4 Ym =0 λm =
a
(59)

Solution of (59) leads to

[characteristic equation is:
γ m4 − 2λm2 γ m2 + λm4 =0

γ m2 =
1
2(2λm2 ± 4λm4 − 4λm4 )
(or ) γ m = ± λm , ± λm (double roots) ]

Ym ( y ) = C1m eλ my +C2 m λm yeλ my +C3m e− λ my +C4m λm ye− λ my

qoa 4
(or ) Ym ( y ) = [Am cosh λm y + Bmλm y sinh λm y + Cm sinh λm y
D
+ Dmλm y cosh λm y] (60)

Chapter 2 Page 6 of 26
Since Ym(y) is symmetrical with respect to the x-axis, we keep in
B B

the eqn 60 only even function of y. Hence, Cm = Dm = 0. B B B B

Therefore
qoa 4
Ym ( y ) = [Am cosh λm y + Bm λm y sinh λm y ] (60b)
D

Substituting (60b) and (55) in (54), we get

qo 4 q oa 4 ∞
w(x,y)= [ x − 2ax + a x] +
3 3
∑ [Am cosh λm y
24D D m=1,3,5...
mπ x
+ Bm λm y sinh λm y ]sin (61)
a
Eqn(61) must satisfy the boundary conditions
b
w( x, ± ) = 0
2
(62)
∂2w b
( x , ± )=0
∂y 2 2

In order to satisfy the boundary conditions, wp(x) is expanded into

B B

a series of the same type as wc(x,y) i.e.

B B

qo
w p (x)= ( x 4 − 2ax3 + a3 x)
24D
∞ mπ x
= ∑ w m sin
m=1,3,5... a

Chapter 2 Page 7 of 26
 2a mπ x
where wm = ∫ w p (x)sin dx
a0 a

2 a qo 4 mπ x
= ∫ ( x − 2ax3 + a3 x)sin dx
a 0 24D a

= 4qoa 4 / π 5 Dm5

Therefore, Eqn 61 becomes

qo a 4 ∞ 4 mπ x
w(x,y)= ∑ [ 5 5 + Am cosh λm y + Bm λm y sinh λm y ]sin
D m=1,3,5... m π a
(63)
Substituting (63) in (62) yields,
4
+ Am cosh α m + Bmα m sinh α m = 0
m5π 5 (64)
( Am + 2 β m )cosh α m + Bmα m sinh α m = 0
λmb mπ b
in which α m = =
2 2a

Solving for Am and Bm in (64) yields

B B B B

2(α m tanh α m + 2)
Am = −
π 5 m5 cosh α m
2
Bm =
π 5 m5 cosh α m

Chapter 2 Page 8 of 26
Substituting for Am and Bm in (61) and (63) leads to the solution of
B B B B

two different forms

qo
w( x, y ) = ( x 4 − 2ax3 + a3 x)
24D
2qoa 4 1 ⎡ 2(α m tanh α m + 2)
∞ 2α m y
+ ∑ ⎢ − cosh
π 5D m=1,3,5... m5 ⎣ cosh α m b
2α m y 2α y ⎤ mπ x
+ sinh m ⎥ sin (65)
b cosh α m b ⎦ a

or in the other form as

4qoa 4 1 ⎡ α m tanh α m + 2
∞ 2α m y
w( x, y ) = ∑ ⎢1 − cosh
π 5D m=1,3,5... m5 ⎣ 2cosh α m b

αm y 2α y ⎤ mπ x
+ sinh m ⎥ sin (66)
b cosh α m b ⎦ a

a
Maximum deflection occurs at ( ,0) for which
2
m-1
a 5 qoa 4 4qoa 4 ∞ α m tanh α m + 2 (-1) 2
(65): w( ,0) = − 5 ∑
2 384 D π D m=1,3,5... m5 2cosh α m
m-1
a 4qoa 4 ∞ (-1) 2 ⎛ α m tanh α m + 2 ⎞
(66): w( ,0) = 5 ∑ ⎜1 − ⎟ (67)
2 π D m=1,3,5... m5 ⎝ 2cosh α m ⎠

Chapter 2 Page 9 of 26
The series in the expressions converges very rapidly and sufficient
accuracy is obtained by taking only the first term. Taking a square
π 3π
plate for example we know that α1 = , α3 = , ...
2 2

Eqn (67a) gives,

5 qoa 4 4qoa 4
w max = − 5 [0.68562 − 0.00025 + ...]
384 D π D
qoa 4
= 0.00406
D

It is seen that the second term of the series in parentheses is

negligible and that by taking only the first term the formula for
deflection is obtained correct to three significant figures.

Chapter 2 Page 10 of 26
Simply Supported Plate under edge moments
U

M2(x)

b
2
x

b
2

a M1(x)
y

q(x,y) = 0 and hence the governing equation becomes

∇4w = 0 (68)
Let the solution be in the form
∞ mπ x
w( x, y ) = ∑ Ym ( y )sin (69)
m =1 a
satisfying the boundary conditions along x = 0 and x = a
i.e.
( w) x =0 = 0, ( w) x = a = 0
⎛ ∂2w ⎞ ⎛ ∂2w ⎞
⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ = 0, ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ =0
⎝ ∂x ⎠ x =0 ⎝ ∂x ⎠ x=a

Chapter 2 Page 11 of 26
Now the problem reduces to the treatment of the boundary
conditions along y = ± b i.e.
2
w( x, b ) = 0, w( x, − b ) = 0
2 2
⎛ ∂2w ⎞ M1 ( x ) ⎛ ∂2w ⎞ M ( x) (70)
⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ =− , ⎜ 2⎟ =− 2
⎜ ∂y ⎟
⎝ ∂y ⎠ y = b D ⎝ ⎠ y =− b D
2 2

Levy-Nadai type solution (69) satisfies (68) if

Ym ( y ) = Am sinh λm y + Bm cosh λm y + Cm λm y sinh λm y
+ Dmλm y cosh λm y (71)

In order to satisfy the boundary conditions (70), M1(x) and M2(x)

B B B B

should be expressed in the half-sine series form as

∞ mπ x
M1 ( x) = ∑ E1m sin
m =1 a
(72)
∞ mπ x
M 2 ( x) = ∑ E2m sin
m =1 a
where
2a mπ x
E1m = ∫ M1 ( x)sin dx
a0 a
(73)
2a
mπ x
E2m = ∫ M 2 ( x)sin dx
a0 a

Chapter 2 Page 12 of 26
The four constants of integration in (71) can be determined by
substituting (69) in (70). This leads to four simultaneous equations
the solution of which is unmanageable.

It is more convenient to resolve the edge moments M1(x) and B B

M2(x) into symmetrical and antisymmetrical components which

B B

then reduces the problem into two sets of 2 simultaneous

equations.
a
v

b M2(x) m1(x) me(x)

2
x x x
v

v
b = +
2

M1(x) m1(x) m2(x)

y y y
1 1
m1 ( x) = [ M1 ( x) + M 2 ( x)] m2 ( x) = [ M1 ( x) − M 2 ( x)]
2 2
Symmetrical case antisymmetrical case

Chapter 2 Page 13 of 26
Symmetrical case:
U

In the case of symmetry Ym(y) must be an even function of y and

B B

hence we take Am = Dm = 0. Then we obtain from (69) and (71)

B B B B

∞ mπ x
w = ∑ ( Bm cosh λm y + Cm λm y sinh λm y )sin (74)
m =1 a

To satisfy the boundary condition w = 0 at y = ± b

2
We must put
mπ b
Bm cosh α m + Cmα m sinh α m = 0 in which α m =
2a
Hence we have Bm = −Cmα m tanh α m (75)
and the deflection in this case is
∞ mπ y mπ y mπ y mπ x
w = ∑ Cm ( sinh − α m tanh α m cosh )sin (76)
m =1 a a a a

To determine the constant Cm we use the other boundary

B B

conditions in (70)
Expanding m1(x) in the form
B B

∞ mπ x
m1 ( x) = ∑ e1m sin
m =1 a
2 a
mπ x
e1m = ∫ m1 ( x)sin dx
a0 a

Chapter 2 Page 14 of 26
Differentiating (76) w.r.t. y twice we get

∂2w ⎡ m3π 3
∞ mπ y m 2π 2 mπ y
= ∑ C m⎢ y sinh + 2 cosh
∂y 2 m =1 ⎣ a 3 a a2 a

m 2π 2 mπ y ⎤ mπ x
− α m tanh α m cosh ⎥ sin
a2 a ⎦ a

⎛ ∂2w ⎞ m ( x)
⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ =− 1
⎝ ∂y ⎠ y = b D
2

∞ ⎡ m 2π 2 e1m ⎤ mπ x
∑⎢ m C 2 2
cosh α m + ⎥ sin =0
m =1 ⎣ a D ⎦ a

The quantity in the bracket must vanish if the above equation is to

be satisfied for all values of x.
a2 e1m
∴ Cm = − (77)
2π D m cosh α m
2 2

Substituting for Cm in (76) we have

B B

a2 ∞ e1m⎡ mπ y
w(x,y)= ∑ α tanh α cosh
2π 2 D m =1 m2 cosh α m ⎢⎣
m m
a

mπ y mπ y ⎤ mπ x
− sinh sin (78)
a a ⎥⎦ a

Chapter 2 Page 15 of 26
In the particular case of uniformly distributed moments of intensity
Mo we have,
B B

4 Mo ∞ 1 mπ x
m1 ( x) = ∑ sin
π m=1,3,5... m a
Therefore, from (78)
2Moa 2 ∞ 1 ⎡ mπ y
w( x, y ) = ∑ α tanh α cosh
π 3D m=1,3,5... m3 cosh α m ⎢⎣
m m
a

mπ y mπ y ⎤ mπ x
− sinh sin
a a ⎥⎦ a

The deflection along the axis of symmetry (y = 0) is

2Moa 2 ∞ 1 α m tanh α m mπ x
( w) y =0 = ∑ sin
π 3D m=1,3,5... m3 cosh α m a

When a is very large as compared to b, tanh α m ≈ α m and

mπ b
cosh α m ≈ 1 and hence we have, since α m = ,
2a
Mo b 2 ∞ 1 mπ x
( w) y =0 = ∑ sin
2π D m=1,3,5... m a

Chapter 2 Page 16 of 26
Antisymmetrical case:
U

In this case the deflection surface is an odd function of y and

therefore, we put Bm = Cm = 0 in (71). Hence,
B B B B

∞ mπ x
w( x, y ) = ∑ ( Am sinh λm y + Dm λm y cosh λm y )sin (79)
m =1 a

From the boundary condition, w = 0 at y = ± b we get

2
Am sinh α m + Dmα m cosh α m = 0
1
hence, Dm = − tanh α m Am
αm
∞ ⎡ mπ y 1 mπ y mπ y ⎤ mπ x
∴ w( x, y ) = ∑ Am ⎢sinh − tanh α m cosh ⎥ sin a
m =1 ⎣ a α m a a ⎦
(80)
Let us expand m2(x) in the form
B B

∞ mπ x
m2 ( x) = ∑ e2 m sin
m =1 a
(81)
2a
mπ x
where e2 m = ∫ m2 ( x)sin dx
a0 a

Substituting (80) and (81) in the boundary condition.

⎛ ∂2w ⎞ m ( x)
⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ =− 2
⎝ ∂y ⎠ y = b D
2

Chapter 2 Page 17 of 26
we get Am in terms of e2m and (80) finally becomes
B B B B

a2 ∞ e2 m ⎡ αm mπ y
w( x, y ) = ∑ ⎢ sinh
2π 2 D m =1 m2 sinh α m ⎣ tanh α m a

mπ y mπ y ⎤ mπ x
− cosh sin (82)
a a ⎥⎦ a

The deflection surface for the general case represented by the

boundary conditions (70). i.e.
⎛ ∂2w ⎞ m ( x)
⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ =− 1
⎝ ∂y ⎠ y = b D
2
⎛ ∂2w ⎞ m ( x)
⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ =− 2
⎝ ∂y ⎠ y =− b D
2

can be obtained from solutions (78) and (82) for the symmetrical
and antisymmetrical cases. The total deflection is obtained by
using expressions (78) and (82) and superposing the deflections
produced by each of the moment distributions m1(x) and m2(x). B B B B

Therefore,
mπ x
sin
a ⎡ e1m ⎛ α tanh α cosh mπ y
a 2 ∞
w( x, y ) = ∑ ⎢ ⎜ m
m 2 ⎣ cosh α m ⎝
m
2π 2 D m =1 a

mπ y mπ y ⎞ e2 m ⎛ mπ y mπ y mπ y ⎞ ⎤
− sinh ⎟+ ⎜ α m coth α m sinh − cosh ⎟
a a ⎠ sinh α m ⎝ a a a ⎠ ⎥⎦
(83)

Chapter 2 Page 18 of 26
A simply supported rectangular plate shown in the figure is loaded
by an edge moment Mx only. Determine the equation of the
B B

deflected middle surface w(x,y)

o
x

Mx b

a
y
z

Let the applied moment Mx be represented in the Fourier series

B B

form as
∞ nπ y
M x = ∑ En sin (1)
n =1 b
Since the lateral load on the plate is zero, we have the plate
equation ∇4w = 0 (2)

Boundary conditions
U

w = 0, Mx = M at x = 0
B B

w = 0, Mx = 0 at x = a
B B (3)
w = 0, My = 0 at y = 0 B B

w = 0, My = 0 at y = b B B

Chapter 2 Page 19 of 26
Let us assume the deflection function as
∞ nπ y
w = ∑ xn sin (4)
n =1 b
which satisfies the boundary conditions at y = 0 and y = b.
Substituting (4) in (2) we take the function xn in the form,
nπ x nπ x nπ x nπ x nπ x nπ x
xn = An sinh + Bn cosh + Cn sinh + Dn cosh
b b b b b b

so that the deflection function (4) becomes

∞
⎛ nπ x nπ x nπ x nπ x
w = ∑ ⎜ An sinh + Bn cosh + Cn sinh
n =1⎝ b b b b
nπ x nπ x ⎞ nπ y
+ Dn cosh ⎟ sin (5)
b b ⎠ b

The constants of integration can be determined by using the

boundary conditions (3)
( w) x =0 = 0 ∴ Bn = 0 (6)
nπ a nπ a nπ a nπ a nπ a
( w) x = a = 0 = An sinh + Cn sinh + Dn cosh (7)
b b b b b
⎛ ∂2w ⎞ En nπ y n 2π 2 nπ y
⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ = − sin = 2 2 Cn sin
⎝ ∂x ⎠ x =0 D b b b

b2 En
∴ Cn = − (8)
n 2π 2 2 D

Chapter 2 Page 20 of 26
⎛ ∂2w ⎞ n 2π 2 nπ a ⎛ n3π 3 nπ a
⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ = 0 = 2 An sinh + ⎜⎜ 3 a sinh
⎝ ∂x ⎠ x =a b b ⎝ b b

n 2π 2 nπ a ⎞ ⎛ n3π 3 nπ a
+2 cosh ⎟⎟ Cn + ⎜⎜ 3 a cosh
b2 b ⎠ ⎝ b b

n 2π 2 nπ a ⎞
+2 sinh ⎟ Dn (9)
b 2 b ⎟⎠

n 2π 2
Multiplying (7) by 2
and subtracting from (9) and substituting
b
for Cn B

nπ En nπ a En nπ a nπ a En nπ a
− a sinh − cosh + sinh
b 2D b D b b 2D b
⎛ n3π 3 nπ a n 2π 2 nπ a n3π 3 nπ a ⎞
+ ⎜ 3 a cosh + 2 2 sinh − 3 a cosh ⎟⎟ Dn = 0
⎜ b b b b ⎠
⎝ b b

b2 En nπ a
∴ Dn = coth (10)
n 2π 2 2 D b
From (7),
nπ a ab En nπ a ab En nπ a nπ a
An sinh − sinh + coth cosh =0
b nπ 2 D b nπ 2 D b b
ab En ⎛ 2 nπ a ⎞
(or) An = ⎜ 1 − coth ⎟ (11)
nπ 2 D ⎝ b ⎠

Chapter 2 Page 21 of 26
Substituting for the constants, Eqn(5) becomes
En
w( x, y ) = [ β n x cosh β n (a − x) − β n a sinh β n x
2 D β n 2 sinh β n a
*(cosh β n a − sinh β n a )]sin β n y (12)
nπ
where β n =
b
Equation (12) defines the deflection function for the given
problem.

Chapter 2 Page 22 of 26
Rectangular Plate Simply Supported on Three Sides and
U

clamped on one side and subjected to Uniformly

Distributed Load qo: UB UB

v
b
2
x x x
v

v
b q(x,y)=qo = q(x,y)=qo +
2 M1(x)

w(x,y) w1(x,y) w2(x,y)

y y y

Boundary conditions:
U

b b b
w( x, ) = 0 w1 ( x, ) = 0 w2 ( x, ) = 0
2 2 2
⎛ ∂w ⎞ ⎛ ∂ 2 w1 ⎞ ⎛ ∂ 2 w2 ⎞ M
⎜ ∂y ⎟ =0 ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ =0 ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ =− 1
⎝ ⎠ y=b
2
⎝ ∂y ⎠ y = b ⎝ ∂y ⎠ y = b D
2 2

(84)
The deflection of the plate under uniformly distributed load qo can B B

be obtained by combining the solution for the plate with all sides
simply supported and subjected to uniformly distributed load qo B B

with the solution for the plate with all sides simply supported and
subjected to uniformly distributed moment along one edge
corresponding to the clamped side of the plate.

Chapter 2 Page 23 of 26
In this case the only unknown e1m can be determined by the
B B

condition
⎛ ∂w1 ⎞ ⎛ ∂w ⎞
⎜ ∂y ⎟ +⎜ 2 ⎟ =0 (85)
⎝ ⎠ y=b ⎝ ∂y ⎠ y=b
2 2

Chapter 2 Page 24 of 26
Rectangular Plate Simply Supported on Two Opposite
U

sides and clamped on Two Other sides subjected to

Arbitrary Load

v
b M2(x)
2
x x x
v

v
b q(x,y) = q(x,y) +
2 M1(x)

w1(x,y) w2(x,y)
y y y

m1(x) m2(x)
=
x x
v

+ m2(x)
m1(x)

ws(x,y) wa(x,y)
y y

m1(x) and m2(x) can be expanded in the form

B B B B

∞ mπ x
m1 ( x) = ∑ e1m sin
m =1 a
∞ mπ x
m2 ( x) = ∑ e2m sin
m =1 a

Chapter 2 Page 25 of 26
e1m and e2m are calculated from the boundary conditions
B B B B

⎛ ∂w1 ⎞ ⎛ ∂ws ⎞ ⎛ ∂wa ⎞

⎜ ∂y ⎟ +⎜ ⎟ +⎜ ⎟ =0
⎝ ⎠ y=b ⎝ ∂y ⎠ y=b ⎝ ∂y ⎠ y=b
2 2 2
(86)
⎛ ∂w1 ⎞ ⎛ ∂ws ⎞ ⎛ ∂wa ⎞
⎜ ∂y ⎟ + ⎜ ∂y ⎟ + ⎜ ∂y ⎟ =0
⎝ ⎠ y =− b ⎝ ⎠ y =− b ⎝ ⎠ y =− b
2 2 2

The deflection of the plate under any lateral load can be obtained
by first solving the problem on the assumption that all edges are
simply supported and then applying bending moments along the
b
edges y = ± of such a magnitude as to eliminate the rotations
2
produced along these edges by the action of the lateral load.

In the case of symmetrical load, set m2(x) = 0 and e1m is

B B B B

determined from condition 86(a) with wa(x,y) = 0. B B

Chapter 2 Page 26 of 26