EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE OF NON-LINEAR PLATES

The finite amplitude vibration of a plate subjected to earthquake support motion is considered. Several bounds on the maximum responses of the plate are established which are based on the knowledge of the response spectra of the seismic motion. The stochastic models of the earthquake ground motion is then briefly discussed. The single mode of vibration of the plate is then considered and a perturbation series expansion is developed for the vibration amplitude. Mean square responses of the plate are then calculated for both stationary as well as nonstationary seismic excitations. It is observed that the variance of the deflection field of the nonlinear plate is less than that of the corresponding linear one. The reliability of design is also considered and the probability of no barrier crossing is briefly discussed. © 1979.