Analysis of free vibration of coupled Reissner's plate-liquid-spring system

Based on Reissner's plate theory, the dynamic behaviour of an offshore circular plate with moderate thickness floating on a liquid of finite constant depth and anchored by uniformly distributed springs to the sea bed is investigated. The frequency equation governing the motion of the coupled Reissner's plate-liquid-spring system is analytically obtained by means of the linear potential flow theory and the expansion theorem in modal analysis. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the variation in fundamental frequencies of Reissner's floating circular plates with free edge due to the stiffnesses of distributed springs and the depths of liquid.The author is grateful to Mr. W.M. Cheng for his help in completing the numerical calculations.