Finite amplitude vibrations of an orthotropic circular plate with an isotropic core

The free and forced non-linear vibrations of a fixed orthotropic circular plate, with a concentric core of isotropic material, are studied. Existence of harmonic vibrations is assumed and thus the time variable is eliminated by a Ritz-Kantorovich method. Hence, the governing non-linear partial equations for the axisymmetric vibration of the composite circular plate are reduced to a set of ordinary differential equations which form a non-linear eigen-value problem. Solutions are obtained by utilizing the related initial-value problems in conjunction with Newton's integration method. The results reveal the effects of finite amplitude and anisotropy of materials upon the dynamic responses. Further, the method developed in this paper, which is used to solve the title problem, is one of some generality. It can be applied to many differential eigenvalue problems with piecewise continuous functions.