On the Nonlinear Theory of Orthotropic Plates

Abstract

Formulation of consistent equations for large deflections of orthotropic rectangular plates is presented. The plate is subjected to both uniform load perpendicular to its plane and edge compression. The resulting two-coupled fourth-order partial differential equations reduce, in the isotropic case, to yon Karman's fundamental equations. The equations are solved under two different sets of boundary conditions which occur frequently in ship structures. For numerical results, the solution is programmed and some results are obtained using IBM 360 Model 65. Distributions of deflections, membrane stresses, bending moments, etc. for an orthotropic plate are presented.