A class of expansion functions for finite elastic plates in structural acoustics

Problems in structural acoustics involving finite plates can be formulated using integral equation methods, The unknown function within the integral e quation must satisfy the plate edge conditions, and hence appropriate expan sion functions must be used. The expansion functions developed here are aim ed at treating a wide class of problems. Once such functions are found, the solution process and numerical implementation are relatively straightforwa rd. The speed of convergence to "exact" comparison solutions is fast even i n the singular limit of high frequencies and wide plates. A set of expansio n functions with the required properties is constructed and some illustrati ve problems are treated. (C) 1999 Acoustical Society of America. [S0001-496 6(99)03512-2].