ACCURATE FREE-VIBRATION ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLETELY FREE RECTANGULAR MINDLIN PLATE

The superposition method is exploited to obtain accurate solutions for the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the completely free Mindli n plate. Computed eigenvalues are tabulated for a number of plate aspe ct and thickness ratios. Steps taken to avoid computational instabilit y are described. Difficulties associated with choosing mode shape func tions, particularly when free edges are involved, have always hindered researchers utilizing the Rayleigh-Ritz method. Such difficulties are obviated here. To the authors' knowledge, this represents the first a ccurate comprehensive solution to this important plate vibration probl em. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited