A method for solving problems of elastic plates of arbitrary shape

Abstract

The methods developed up to now in the theory of plates do not lend themselves easily to the solution of problems in the case of plates of arbitrary shape. Such methods lend themselves only to the solution of problems for plates of certain special simple shapes. Moreover, because of the complicated mathematical tools involved in these methods, the methods are not suitable for engineers. Hence there arises the need for the formulation of an approximate theory which may appear quite suitable for attacking problems on plates of arbitrary shape. In the present paper the author develops a new method which aims at the solution of the problem quite independently of the shape of the plate.