FREQUENCY-ANALYSIS OF CORNER POINT SUPPORTED MINDLIN PLATES BY A FINITE-DIFFERENCE ENERGY METHOD

The first known solution of the title problem is presented. A method based on the variational procedure in conjunction with a finite difference method is used to examine the free vibration characteristics. Numerical studies show that the convergence is relatively slow, requiring a finer mesh model. In view of the symmetry of the geometry of the plate and the symmetry in the distribution of the point supports, only one-quarter of the plate is examined. Three mode types are developed to account for the full plate. Detailed results are given for the frequencies and mode shapes of the first six modes of each symmetry class, and the effect of transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia is analyzed. The validity of the results is partially demonstrated by comparing them with existing solutions based on the classical thin plate theory. © 1992.