Analysis of the von Karman equations by group methods

One of the systems of equations approximating the large deflection of plates consists of two coupled non-linear fourth order partial differential equations, known as the von Karman equations. The full symmetry group for the steady equations is a finitely generated Lie group with ten parameters. For the time-dependent system the full symmetry group is an infinite parameter Lie group. Several subgroups of the full group are used to generate exact solutions of the time-independent and the time-dependent systems. These include the dilatation group (similar solutions), rotation group, screw group and others. Physical implications and applications are discussed.