Large amplitude axisymmetric vibrations of geometrically imperfect circular plates

This paper deals with the effects of geometric imperfections on the large amplitude vibrations of circular plates. It is found that geometric imperfections of the order of a fraction of the plate thickness may significantly raise the linear vibration frequencies. Furthermore, such imperfections may even change the inherent non-linear hard-spring character of the circular plates and cause them to exhibit soft-spring behavior. The effects of various boundary conditions are examined.