On a Nonlinear Problem in Axisymmetric Bending of Circular Thick Plates

Abstract

In this paper, the problem of a uniformly loaded circular thick plate, clamped along the edge and resting at the center upon a smooth elastic foundation, is treated by applying E. Reissner's theory of bending of plates. The result obtained here contains the corresponding solution for the case of rigid foundation and the classical plate theory prediction in its limiting case. In order to indicate the significance of the effect of the transverse normal stress in addition to the effect of the shear deformation, the stress distribution in the plate, the force field on the constraining surface and the relation between the load and deformation are numerically obtained and compared with the results of the classical plate theory.