Approximate Method for the Bending of Rectangular Plate with Nonuniform Thickness

Abstract

An approximate method using a double trigonometric series for the bending of a plate with nonuniform thickness is proposed. The convergency of solutions with this method is examined to be satisfactory. Furthermore, simple approximate formulae to estimate the maximum deflection and surface stresses of the plate with the linearly varying thickness in one direction under uniform pressure are derived. The error of these formula for typical cases here treated is found to be less than 2 per cent.