Finite amplitude vibrations of a circular plate

The problem of finite-amplitude, axisymmetric free and forced vibration of a circular plate is examined with various boundary conditions. The non-linear boundary-value problem is converted into the corresponding eigenvalue problem by elimination of the time variable. Then by a Newton-Raphson iteration scheme, and the concept of analytical continuation, the solution to the non-linear eigenvalue problem for the vibrations is obtained in a discrete form. It is seen that the removal of radial restraint causes drastic changes in the plate responses and the patterns of membrane stresses. Comparison with solutions based on the Berger assumption reveals the unsuitability of the assumption when the plate is not radially restrained.