Elasticity solutions for free vibrations of annular plates from three-dimensional analysis

This article, examines the vibrational characteristics of annular plates by using the three-dimensional elasticity theory. It aims to raise the quality of the investigation beyond that provided by the two-dimensional plate theories by resorting to a full three-dimensional analysis. A polynomials–Ritz model based on sets of orthogonally generated polynomial functions to approximate the spatial displacements of the plates in cylindrical polar coordinates is presented. The model is then used to extract the full vibration spectrum of natural frequencies and mode shapes. The vibration responses due to the variations of boundary conditions and thickness are investigated. Frequency parameters and three-dimensional deformed mode shapes are presented in vivid graphical forms. The accuracy of the method is validated through appropriate convergence and comparison studies.