Bending of sector plates on elastic foundations by Bessel functions

A series solution approach based on the complex Bessel functions is present ed in this paper for the analysis of bending of annual sector plates that a re simply supported along their straight (or radial) edges, resting on Wink ler-type elastic foundations. After a real general solution to a homogeneou s differential equation of the bending plates is derived from the complex B essel functions, the solution to the nonhomogeneous differential equation m ay be formulated by the general solution. Finally, some numerical examples are given to show the feasibility of this approach.