On the General Theory of Heterogeneous Aeolotropic Plates

Abstract

SummaryA large deflection theory is established for the bending and stretching of aeolotropic plates with elastic moduli that vary in the x, y, z directions. The theory is formulated in terms of two simultaneous non-linear differential equations, with variable coefficients, for the transverse deflection w and an Airy stress function F. Small deflection heterogeneous plate theory and some other sub-classes of plate problems are formulated by specialising the general non-linear plate equations. Effects of initial irregularities and of a variable elastic foundation are considered.