Estimates for Divergence Velocities of Axially Moving Orthotropic Thin Plates

Some models for axially moving orthotropic thin plates are investigated analytically via methods of complex analysis to derive estimates for critical plate velocities. The linearized Kirchhoff plate theory is used, and the energy forms of steady-state models are considered with homogeneous and inhomogeneous tension profiles in the cross direction of the plate. With the help of the energy forms, some limits for the divergence velocity of the plate are found analytically. In numerical examples, the derived lower limits for the divergence velocity are analyzed for plates with small flexural rigidity.