Non-linear axisymmetric vibration of orthotropic thin circular plates on elastic foundations

This study deals with the large amplitude axisymmetric free vibrations of cylindrically orthotropic thin circular plates resting on elastic foundations. Geometric non-linearity due to moderately large deflections has been included. Movable and immovable simply supported plates and immovable clamped plates resting on Winkler, Pasternak and non-linear Winkler foundations have been considered. The von Kármán type governing equations have been employed. Harmonic vibrations are assumed and the time t is eliminated by the Kantorovich averaging method. An orthogonal point collocation method is used for spatial discretization. Numerical results are presented for the linear natural frequency of the first axisymmetric mode and for the ratio of the non-linear period to the linear period of natural vibration. The effects of foundation parameters, the orthotropic parameter and the edge conditions on the non-linear vibration behaviour have been investigated.