Abstract
Present paper describes how to solve the governing differential equations based on Reddy's third-order shear deformable plate theory. First the differential operator method is developed to uncouplethe governing equations of an orthotropic plate, and then the uncoupling of the governing equations results in an eighth-order partial differential equation. Secondary, a potential function method is applied to the governing equations to recast the governing equations of transversely isotropicand isotropic plates into two independent equations, i. e. one is a second-order partial differential equation and the other is sixth-order one. Finally, Levy type single series solutions for an isotropic plate are derived, and then numerical results are presented for the square plates with different boundary conditions and subjected to a uniform load.
